*Making a few quid not guaranteed.
Let’s get ready to rumble.
It seems strange that Ireland are vying to make history by advancing to the last four of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday but you couldn’t make much money on that.
Joe Schmidt’s boys ready for a mammoth quarter final clash with Argentina and they head to the Millenium Stadium on the crest of a wave – blown there by the relentless breaths of a nation tossing and kicking every ball along with them.
And, sure, while you’re roaring them on, you might as well (try to) make some money with these five surefire* bets.
*By no means surefire.
Handicap betting: Ireland -3, evens.
If you want to back Ireland to win, you’ll get them at 8/13 but backing them to win by at least four will bump those odds up to evens.
It’s going to be tight but you’d fancy more Schmidt-style pragmatism from Heaslip and the lads to get the buffer and see it through. Backing Ireland to win with a handicap of minus three is a good, safe bet. Ish…
Tommy Bowe OR Dave Kearney to score the first try
Either Irish winger to go over first, 13/2.
In a tight game that’s going to be dominated by defence and even caution, one try could decide the fixture.
If Ireland are working through the phases and are patiently waiting to pull the trigger on the Argentine outfit, Kearney or Bowe will be at the end of those passages of play and getting two wingers from the favourites for a 13/2 price is too good to turn down.
Ireland to be winning at half time and full time
Ireland half time/full time, 11/10.
Back to the Schmidt effect, if Ireland are to control this game, like they did the France match, the Italy match, even the bloody Six Nations, you’d fancy big Joe to have them well set up and organised to hold Argentina at an arm’s length throughout. If they’re on it.
Ireland to be leading at half time and full time is even better odds than Ireland -3.
Conor Murray, 18/1.
Feeling more adventurous? There are some serious odds going for what is more of a lottery-like last try-scorer market.
But if you want to try and analyse it some way: second half, tiring legs, gaps appearing. Conor Murray’s sharpness. No? Well, it’s worth a quid!
Money back special – anytime tryscorer
Robbie Henshaw, 7/2.
If Ireland scores first (try, penalty try, drop goal, or penalty), Ladbrokes will refund losing First Tryscorer and Anytime Tryscorer bets on that match, up to €25 per market, as Free Bets.
Henshaw’s performance against France was ridiculous. Confidence is high for the Connacht player. Get on him at 7/2 to score at any time and, sure, if Ian Madigan nails a penalty first, you’ll get the money back anyway if Henshaw doesn’t score first.
