Women's Rugby Union World Cup predictions: Kiwis can conquer at home

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for the women's World Cup.

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New Zealand to win World Cup
1pt 2-1 general

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The betting market tells you all you need to know about the teams dominating women’s international rugby - it’s 1-2 England, 2-1 New Zealand and 12-1 bar in the race to lift the trophy on November 12.

England and New Zealand have contested four of the last five finals - England beat Canada in 2014 to claim their second tournament victory but the Black Ferns triumphed in the four meetings between the two and also in the 1998 final against the USA.

It’s clear that those two nations are a cut above - on their way to the most recent final at the 2017 tournament New Zealand won their three pool matches and semi-final by an aggregate of 258-29, while England’s cumulative total over the four matches was 179-47.

England completed a grand slam at this year’s Six Nations, scoring 282 points in their five matches and conceding just 22.

In June, New Zealand swept the board at the Pacific Four Series, beating Australia, USA and Canada by an aggregate of 101 points to 16.

Given home advantage and their historic tournament success over England, the short odds about the Red Rose might raise an eyebrow.

But England have stepped up a gear in recent years and victories over New Zealand last autumn - by margins of 43-12 and 56-15 - have established the Red Roses as the number-one ranked side in the world.

The Kiwis also suffered two heavy defeats to France last autumn and that tour came at a time when New Zealand had not played a competitive match for more than two years. They have warmed up for this tournament with back-to-back wins over pool rivals Australia and a 95-12 success over Japan, and should be far more polished in their home tournament.

Backing New Zealand to lift the trophy looks the value play at this stage - England have a slightly tougher pool schedule with a showdown against France, ranked fourth in the world, and if, as seems likely, the top two sides meet in the final, the betting could well be a lot closer.

England kick off their campaign in the early hours of Saturday against Fiji, who are given a handicap start of more than 50 points, while New Zealand are 28-point favourites for their opener against Australia.

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