Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals predictions, odds and betting tips
One month of high-quality rugby action down, just three weekends to go before the 2023 Rugby World Cup champions are crowned.
There can be no slip-ups now. There is no longer the possibility of group-stage redemption. Instead, we’ve got three weeks of head-to-head combat to come which will halve the field every weekend until the last 15 men are standing. And first up this Saturday and Sunday is the last eight.
Let’s see how the bookies rate the remaining teams, to win both the tournament and their upcoming quarter-final matches.
🏆 2023 Rugby World Cup winner odds
Here are the latest tournament odds from bet365:
- Ireland: 3/1
- France: 3/1
- South Africa: 7/2
- New Zealand: 7/2
- England: 11/1
- Wales: 22/1
- Argentina: 40/1
- Fiji: 40/1
1️⃣ First quarter final: Wales vs Argentina
Wales emerged from the group stage with a 100% record, the highlight of which was a 40-6 defeat of Australia. Louis Rees-Zammit has been the star with five tries and only Japan have made more tackles than the Welsh so far. Argentina were appalling in their opening game against England, losing against just 14-men, but the Welsh will be wary of growing momentum for the Pumas and a back line that looked dangerous in the crucial defeat of Japan last Sunday.
Wales vs Argentina odds
Here are the latest match odds for Wales vs Argentina from bet365.
- Wales: 8/15
- Draw: 18/1
- Argentina: 7/4
💡 Betting tip: Argentina to win at 7/4
The oddsmakers respect the ability of Welsh coach Warren Gatland to always find a way to win matches and also the fact that his teams are always ferociously difficult to break down. That tackle count mentioned above is indicative of those qualities and could suffocate the Pumas. That said, Wales have already lost the influential Toby Faletau and also have injury concerns over fly halves Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe, as well as full back Liam Williams. And Argentina do pose a genuine threat if the knockout stages prompts a return to their best form. Moreover, although the Welsh did win the last match between the two sides, before that Argentina earned a win and a draw in Cardiff. This is closer than the prices indicate and the Pumas are the pick as a consequence.
2️⃣ Second quarter final: Ireland vs New Zealand
Whenever the pressure has been on, Ireland has stood up to the task in immense style, downing South Africa 13-8 in a titanic battle and then brushing aside Scotland 36-14. Victory in the quarter-final would be their 18th in a row and would equal the record for any tier one country. Their defence is tight, their attack intense and the Irish crowds are delirious. The All Blacks scored more points, more tries and made more clean breaks than any other team in the group stage. This will be a mighty clash for the ages.
Ireland vs New Zealand odds
Here are the latest match odds for Ireland vs New Zealand from bet365.
- Ireland: 8/11
- Draw: 18/1
- New Zealand: 5/4
💡 Betting tip: Ireland winning margin 1-12 points at 7/5
The immense achievements of this generation of Irish players is such that the very idea that Ireland could be favourites against the All Blacks, in a RWC quarter-final and having won three of the last four matches between the two teams, would have seemed absurd to almost every generation before them. That said, defeat would also be devastating for a set-up that has been so impressive for so long and the fact that Ireland has never reached the semi-final stage of a RWC that adds huge pressure. The Irish pack will aim to put their Kiwi equivalents under stress to keep the All Black runners on the back foot. It should be the key battleground. In all three of those recent Irish wins in this fixture the winning margin was between nine and 11 points. Take them to repeat the dose as they use history to motivate, rather than intimidate, themselves.
3️⃣ Third quarter final: England vs Fiji
England are so far unbeaten in this RWC but they have not impressed and were last seen struggling to beat Samoa, eventually triumphing by just the one point. As if on the pitch problems were not enough there are have also been reports of off the pitch problems - with fly half Owen Farrell and top try-scorer Henry Arundell said to have been scrapping in practice. Fiji have rarely looked more cohesive at a RWC and will be feeding off memories of the result when the two teams met in August, when the Pacific Islanders triumphed 30-22.
England vs Fiji odds
Here are the latest match odds for England vs Fiji from bet365.
- England: 1/3
- Draw: 22/1
- Fiji: 13/5
💡 Betting tip: Fiji to win at 11/4
A fascinating prospect: the old world England, which is struggling to find a way to utilise its talents, versus the Pacific Island thrillers, who are on the brink of something special. Fiji were excellent as underdogs in the group stages but fretted when expected to win. That suggests they could be dangerous in this game but will need to stay calm if a semi-final spot is within their grasp late on. England will rely on graft rather than flair. 888Sport are offering 11/4 about a Fiji surprise and that’s the pick against an England side that lost to them a few weeks ago and limped past Samoa last week.
4️⃣ Fourth quarter final: France vs South Africa
The second of two monster battles in this last eight stage and one that will see either the host nation or the reigning champions dumped from the competition. France opened their account with victory over New Zealand and have been rarely threatened since. Damian Penaud has been sensational, making more clean breaks and scoring more tries than anyone in the group stage. South Africa have yet to hit fourth gear but they are a superb tournament team and understand the importance of peaking at the right time.
France vs South Africa odds
Here are the latest match odds for France vs South Africa from bet365.
- France: 8/11
- Draw: 18/1
- South Africa: 5/4
💡 Betting tip: France/South Africa double result at 13/2
Thus far, this has been a wonderful RWC for the hosts. They beat New Zealand in the opener with relatively little fuss and then brushed aside a trio of minnows. But there has been one exception to that straightforward passage: the baffling decision to keep superstar scrum-half Antoine Dupont on the pitch while thumping Namibia. He suffered a broken cheekbone and is now in a race to be fit for this match with the possibility he will play in a helmet of some sort. If he were definitely fit the French would be very confident for he is a mercurial and brilliant talent.
Without him, they would remain favourites but doubts would creep in. At first glance, South Africa have yet to hit top gear but their performance against Ireland was of the highest standard, they have reached the last four in five of the seven RWCs they have competed in, and they have won four of the last five matches between the two teams. Be bold - this could be a night when the tough Springboks break French hearts after a promising start.
📺 How to watch the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals
Here's where you can follow the RWC action once you place a bet with the best rugby betting sites in the UK:
Quarter Final 1 - Wales vs Argentina:
- Location: Stade de Marseille, Marseille
- Date and Time: Saturday, October 14th, 16:00
- How to watch: ITV, S4C
Quarter Final 2 - Ireland vs New Zealand:
- Location: Stade de France, Saint Denis
- Date and Time: Saturday, October 14th, 20:00
- How to watch: ITV, S4C
Quarter Final 3 - England vs Fiji:
- Location: Stade de Marseille, Marseille
- Date and Time: Sunday, October 15th, 16:00
- How to watch: ITV, S4C
Quarter Final 2 - France vs South Africa:
- Location: Stade de France, Saint Denis
- Date and Time: Sunday, October 15th, 20:00
- How to watch: ITV, S4C
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