Underdogs England look to make it two-in a row
15th October, 2007
England have again defied the odds in the Rugby Union World Cup, defeating France 14-9 in a nail-biting game in Paris on Saturday. England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson again provided key firepower, kicking a late penalty and drop-goal to seal the win over the much-fancied hosts. The only try of the game came in only the second minute, where Damien Traille hesitated on a bounce which Josh Lewsey pounced on to place over the line. Wilkinson failed to convert, and France went on to convert two more pentalties in the first half, making it 6-5 at the turn. The teams again exchanged a couple of penalties, before Wilkinson went on to finish off the Frenchmen. There were still some squandered opportunities for both sites that could easily have led to more points, but mistakes were not uncommon in the game. It is widely expected that England will have to raise their game again if they are to stand a chance of being the first team to retain the Webb Ellis trophy.
South Africa made lighter work of Argentina, eventually walking out 37-13 winners. It was not all as easy as the score line would suggest, with two tries coming from interceptions and the game being a tight affair at certain points of the game. Seven kicks from Montgomery, and tries from Du Preez, Roussouw and two from Habana were enough to overcome the single converted try and two penalties. Tempers flared at the end of the game, with two players sent to the sin bin one the game looked to be over.
For the third successive game, England will go into the game on Saturday as underdogs, at about 5/2, and South Africa after their earlier 36-0 demolition of England, are deserved 2/5 favourites. As news of injuries beings to filter in, the odds are beginning to fluctuate slightly. Use our free live odds comparison service to keep up to date.
