WITH LESS THAN a month to go until the World Cup kicks off, the excitement around seeing Joe Schmidt’s Ireland launch into their campaign continues to grow.
While the interest on Irish shores will obviously be focused on the progress of Paul O’Connell, Johnny Sexton and co., there is also intrigue at the prospect of seeing the rest of the best in the world in action.
Chris Ashton and Vincent Clerc were the joint top try scorers at the last World Cup in New Zealand with six each, and this promises to be a competitive field once again in 2015. Who are you backing to emerge on top of the pile?
The favourite
With 30 tries in his 35 caps so far, New Zealand powerhouse Julian Savea is the favourite to scoop this honour and has been for some time. ‘The Bus’ looked slightly short of full fitness in his recent outings against Australia, but he should be sharp in time for the World Cup.
As low as 4/1 with some bookmakers and at a best of 6/1, Savea has been heavily backed and will continue to be so up until the tournament starts.
Flying Springbok
Next in line with most bookies is South Africa’s experienced Bryan Habana, a man with 59 Test tries to his name over the course of 110 caps.
Now 32 years of age, Habana hasn’t been at his most prolific in the international game more recently, but he still possesses pace, intelligence and incredible instincts that allow him to react to opposition errors.
South Africa have had some poor results this year, though they remain an exceptionally strong outfit who will be confident in knock-out rugby.
Kiwi threats
Many people’s favourites to win the tournament for a second consecutive time, New Zealand have a number of other try-scoring threats in their ranks.
Ben Smith at fullback is an attacking genius, clinical on the counter-attack and always aware of opposition weaknesses. At 12/1 with some bookies, Smith will be a popular choice.
Nehe Milner-Skudder has stepped into international rugby with comfort in his first two Tests, scoring two tries on his debut against Australia and then impressing in Bledisloe II.
Ma’a Nonu is a clever presence in midfield too and his two tries last time out in Eden Park might have sparked some interest at 16/1. Aaron Smith and Conrad Smith are as high as 28/1, while Charles Piutau is available at 33/1 at the time of writing.
Izzy
Israel Folau looks to be back at his sensational best in the 15 shirt for Michael Cheika’s Wallabies and his physical prowess makes him a constant danger. 18 tries in 32 caps make him a very tempting proposition, especially at 20/1.
Another exciting fullback available at the same odds is South Africa’s Willie le Roux. A creative, intelligent player who is often the provider, le Roux also has nine Test tries to his name.
Cornal Hendricks at 16/1 and Lwazi Mvovo at 25/1 may also be of interest. Isreal Dagg, Malakai Fekitoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Henry Speight are other possibilities.
European challengers
If England are to take full benefit of home advantage, the electric Anthony Watson will be important on the wing for them. The Bath man can be picked up at 33/1 at the time of writing, while outside centre Jonathan Joseph is as high as 28/1 and Johnny May at 50/1.
The imposing George North will look to overcome his concussion issues and be prolific for Wales, with his odds ranging from 25/1 to 33/1.
For France, Yoann Huget at 40/1 and Nao Nakaitaci at 33/1 are interesting for those who think les Bleus can make an impact.
What of the Irish?
With five tries at the last World Cup, Keith Earls has shown his prowess at this level before, although his struggle is likely to be to start the majority of games for Ireland. Nonetheless, he’s available at 80/1.
Further up the list are wing trio Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe, all at 40/1 with at least one bookmaker as we write.
Craig Gilroy features at 50/1 with several bookmakers, while Jared Payne can be backed at 80/1. Conor Murray, Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney and Johnny Sexton are outsiders at up to 150/1, and Robbie Henshaw is also available at that price.
AN Other
Will there be a major surprise in the World Cup top try scorer field for 2015? Who do you fancy in this market? Let us know how you see it going in the comments section below.
All odds via Oddschecker at 13.40 on 19 August.
Mike Ross. You heard it here first.
POC
if Zebo goes to the Rwc….he will definitely start against Canada and Romania ..I fancy Zebo to score 6 tries
Rob Penney agrees! https://munsterhaka1.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/munster-haka-world-cup-preview/
Savea surely
Was really looking forward to watching that Savea video then I realised the first 3 tries were all against Ireland in one match. Absolutely sickened.
Although he’s yet to score a try this year and did seem sluggish in the Rugby Championship. Then again I’ve probably jinxed it now for when he plays against us in the World Cup…
Was at that match where savea scored 3 tries on debut. Was actually great craic, loads of irish fans in Eden Park. Great moment in father teds pub in Auckland when boxes of tayto arrived and a big cheer went up!
Dane Coles
Tommy Bowe all the way. #COYBIG
his form isn’t great though…
Sexton at 150/1 is worth a €1.
Ireland are a team who won’t have an individual top try scorer that you could pinpoint before a game, but if I had to it would be SOB. Sobby due to his nature of being a beast but also because he was our highest try scorer in the last RBS6N with a total try count of: 2.
Jessie kriel
Tommy boooooooooooooowwweeeee
Willie Le Roux could be a solid bet. seems to score a lot of important tries for SA
The problem with this is that any of these guys could score 5, or 6, against a weak team and throw a whole thing out of whack. Makes it impossible to judge.
We have the potential to run amok with tries in the group matches I’d bet on Earls and Bowe
If you fancy an Irish player wait until at least the squad is announced or better still the first team selection had been named. Who ever is named in the Irish back 3 for that game will be worth a fiver
Not if their first name is Luke or Rob it won’t!
Luke v Canada could easy add 2 or 3, earls or Zebo might rack up even more
How many missed tackles for Zebo I wonder? High odds there.
So you expect Luke to double his tally for Ireland in one match? Zebo has a brilliant try scoring record for Ireland, so that’s a fair point.
He lets as many slip passed him as he scores. It balances itself out. That’s a fair point. Fitzy is water tight. Why do you think Joe picks him even after only a few games. Rob K. is as solid as a rock, again a constant selection for Joe.
This idea that Zebo is poor defensively is from a few biased blue boys. He’s very solid under a high ball and willing to put his body on the line, a winger should be better going forward than he is defensively.
David, you’re talking about “biased blue boys”, you’re the one that had an unprovoked dig at two Leinster players. Heaslip over the years has gotten abuse from “biased red boys” yet he’s the first team pick for every team including the Lions. Why can’t you comment without having a dig at some player? If you said nothing negatively then there wouldn’t be a retaliation.
Luke Fitz has a poor return for Ireland. As does Rob Kearney, given the number of caps they have. This article is about try scoring. I responded to a comment.
David, bullcrap. You replied to that comment so you could troll. You need a hobby.
So I’m not entitled to an opinion based on a players record?
Ditto, with regards Zebos defence.
You’ve no concrete proof though, sweetheart. You’re basing your opinion on bias.
“Sweetheart”?? Ok, whatever floats your boat I guess.
Well you were getting your panties in a bunch, I just assumed
Like I should presume that’s your “sweetheart” with you in your profile pic David? It’s too easy. I’m bored with you now. :)
He’s a caring and gentle lover
and likes a 3 way
Zebo is second favourite to be Ireland leading try scorer by the bookies and the squad has not even been announced .7 \ 2 are Zebo’s odds already. .sheeesh
Anthony Watson ?
I’ll have a cheeky $20 on Trimble
Juan Imahoff. Good outside net.
*bet
Zebo. No messing
As a munster fan zebo’s defense is terrible and always shadows a player and rarely tackles! So no he is not good in defense ☺
Robbie Henshaw to the business…..!
Dave Kearney, definitely!