Wales v Australia Rugby World Cup 2015: Battle of the turnovers will go way of waltzing Wallabies

A week is a long time in sport and, for Australia and Wales, the joys of dumping England out of their own competition will be well forgotten.

 

Now the focus turns to an enthralling battle to top Pool A. The winners will dodge an improving South African side, with Scotland the likely quarter-final opponents.

 

The hold that the Aussies seem to have over the Welsh will be put under considerable strain. They may have prevailed in the last 10 meetings, but have generally squeaked through by five points or less.

 

However, I think the hoodoo will continue.

 

Betway offers 5/1 on Australia winning by 1-5 points, which looks a solid bet. Sporting Index have Australia supremacy at 6-9 and I’m willing to leave that alone.

 

Even without banned openside Michael Hooper, Australia still have breakdown prowess in Number 8 David Pocock.

 

The Welsh back-row is one of the best in the sport too, and I’m expecting to see a healthy number of turnovers.

 

Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau are all effective in the ruck and will fancy their chances.

 

There should be plenty of broken-play ball for the backs to feed off, which bodes well for tries.

 

Australia have chosen to risk star performer Israel Folau, and will be formidable behind the scrum, even if he’s not at full fitness.

 

It will be fascinating to see the impact George North, usually on the wing, has at centre too.

 

Sporting Index predicts 4-4.5 total tries and I’ll be buying at 4.5.

 

Australia to win by 1-5 5/1 (Betway) 

Buy total tries 4.5 (Sporting Index)