The women’s World Cup reached its midway point of the pool section with some key games on the schedule.
There has been a clear gap between Southern Hemisphere teams and Northern Hemisphere teams with the NRLW far superior to the Super League. That is the key factor here with Samoa having 12 starters with NRLW experience compared to England’s three. Both nations thumped Wales but Australia had a much tougher time with Samoa than England. Samoa have won their last 11 against non-Australia/New Zealand opposition. Booming prop Laikha Clarke scored the opening try against Wales last week and comes off scoring three tries in 12 games this NRLW season.
Tips
Best: Samoa -8.5 ($1.90)
Next: Samoa 19+ ($3.25)
Tryscorer: Laikha Clarke
SGM: Laikha Clarke Try/Monica Tagoai
France are completely uncompetitive at this World Cup – as they have been in recent World Cups. The French women have lost eight of their last nine World Cup games by at least 46 points while they have lost their two games this World Cup by 54 and 92. Fiji very nearly rolled New Zealand and then won 40-4 over the Orchids. Fiji just have too much NRLW talent for a French team of amateurs and semi-pros. Losana Lutu has scored in both games this World Cup and comes off her best NRLW season. Taina Naividi has 15 tries in her last 20 NRLW matches. Tahlia Marshall has six tries in four matches for Fiji.
Tips
Best: Fiji -60.5 ($1.90)
Next: Fiji -69.5 ($2.75)
Tryscorer: Losana Lutu
SGM: Losana Lutu Try/Tahlia Marshall Try/Taina Naividi
New Zealand were relentless in putting 92 points on France and can run up a big score against a PNG team that has not won outside Port Moresby in five years. The Kiwi Ferns have won both tests against the Orchids, holding Papua New Guinea to zero in each. Veteran Raecene McGregor has 11 tries in 20 Tests including scoring twice this World Cup. Stacey Waaka is an elite outside back who has five tries this World Cup and 15 tries in 16 NRLW games.
Tips
Best: New Zealand -54.5 ($1.90)
Next: New Zealand -74.5 ($6.00)
Tryscorer: Raecene McGregor
SGM: Raecene McGregor Try/Stacey Waaka 3+ Tries
We are witnessing World Cup history here – and international women’s Rugby League history – with Australia favoured by an utterly absurd 99.5 points. The match opened at 97.5. It will start triple figures. Only one women’s team has posted 100 points prior – astonishingly France in a match against Serbia – but the Jillaroos can score whatever they like against a Wales team that has lost five straight against England by 60-plus and come off conceding 76 points to Samoa. Olivia Kernick has scored in six of 11 Tests. Jess Sergis is a great ball runner with hog tendencies who has four doubles in her Test career. Jaime Chapman has eight tries in eight Tests.
Tips
Best: Australia -99.5 ($1.90)
Next: Australia -111.5 ($3.05)
Tryscorer: Olivia Kernick ($14 First, $1.73 Anytime)
SGM: Olivia Kernick Try/Jess Sergis 2+ Tries/ Jaime Chapman 2+ Tries ($3.78)
