What a fantastic opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup it was. It had a bit of everything with some ferocious hits, exceptional tries, great fan engagement and of course, one of the biggest upsets of all time with Japan edging South Africa in Brighton. It was a round that saw a number of the favourites not play to their potential, but the underdogs showed some real class and snatched a few results. The upcoming games see the Wallabies take to the field for the first time as well as crucial clashes between South Africa and Samoa and England and Wales on the weekend.

Front a betting standpoint, only two of five best bets cashed and I will take those lessons on board for the upcoming weeks. The Rugby World Cup is where dreams are realised (Japan) and nightmares are made (South Africa). Follow me on twitter (@S15_TheProfits) for game coverage, expert insight or just for a chat and fingers are crossed for another fascinating tournament in England.

Best Bet 1: Scotland -16 (vs Japan) @ $1.91 – Bet365 (early twitter play)
Best Bet 2: Australia -24.5 (vs Fiji) @ $1.90 – Sportsbet (early twitter play)
Best Bet 3: France -39.5 (vs Romania) @ $1.90 – Luxbet (early twitter play)

*More plays might be posted on twitter closer to kick-off dependent on weather and line movements

Part 2 of the preview will be released on Thursday, 24 September

Scotland ($1.12) vs Japan ($6.50)

Kick-off: Wednesday – 23:30am (AEDT)

Scotland will kick-off their Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign against a jubilant Japanese outfit at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester on Wednesday night. Scotland would’ve witnessed Japan’s monumental upset over South African last weekend and as a result, they will not be taking the Asian Champions lightly. Japan were simply sensational against the Springboks securing the biggest win in their rugby history, but it will be interesting to see how they backup after the highs of last Saturday. Looking at the history between these two nations, Scotland have won all four matches by comfortable margins, including a 42 – 17 win at Murrayfield in 2013.

Scotland Team: 

Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Johnny Gray, Ryan Wilson, John Hardie, Dave Denton, Greg Laidlaw, Finn Russell, Sean Lamont, Matt Scott, Matt Bennett, Tommy Seymour, Stuart Hogg
Reserves: Fraser Brown, John Welsh, Richie Gray, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Peter Horne, Sean Maitland

Japan Team:

Keita Inagaki, Shota Horie, Hiroshi Yamashita, Luke Thompson, Justin Ives, Michael Leitch (captain), Michael Broadhurst, Amanaki Mafi, Fumiaki Tanaka, Harumichi Tatekawa, Kenki Fukuoka, Yu Tamura, Male Sau, Kotaro Matsushima, Ayumu Goromaru
Reserves: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Shoji Ito, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh

Prediction: 
After stunning the world last weekend with a last gasp win over the Springboks, the challenge for Japan this week is to back that effort up. We have seen that a lot of top-tier teams have entered the tournament rusty and Scotland don’t have time to find their feet. Scottish coach Vern Cotter has named a strong line-up, with tough forwards, crafty halves, big centres and fast backs. Japanese coach Eddie Jones has made six changes to his team for this match due to the short turnaround. Captain Michael Leitch was impressive against the Springboks, as was replacement back rower Amanaki Mai, who finds himself at number eight. The new flyhalf Harumichi Tatekawa has pace to burn and Goromaru was excellent with the boot against the Springboks. Scotland would’ve learned a lot from the way the Japanese utilised their low tackling and committed numbers to the breakdown to slow down their opposition ball. For me, that was as good as Japan can play and their effort count was very low. I see Scotland winning this match by double-digits to put pressure back on Samoa and South Africa in the pool.

Predicted result: Scotland to win @ $1.12 – William Hill

Best Bet 1: Scotland -16 (vs Japan) @ $1.91 – Bet365 (early twitter play)

Australia ($1.03) vs Fiji ($15.00)

Kick-off: Thursday – 01:45 (AEDT)

Australia will also get their campaign underway on early Thursday morning when they clash with Fiji at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Australia have spent the last few weeks in the USA and in Bath preparing for this matchup, whereas, Fiji lost to England in the opening match of the tournament. The ferocious Fijians haven’t beaten the Wallabies since 1954 at the SCG, a stretch of 15 matches, with Australia winning the last clash 49 – 3 in Canberra in 2010.

Australia Team: 

Scott Sio, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale

Fiji Team:

Campese Ma’afu, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Manasa Saulo, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Peceli Yato, Akapusi Qera (Captain), Netani Talei, Niko Matawalu, Ben Volavola, Nemani Nadolo, Gabby Lovobalavu, Vereniki Goneva, Waisea Nayacalevu, Metuisela Talebula
Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Peni Ravai, Isei Colati, Nemia Soqeta, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Kenatale, Josh Matavesi, Asaeli Tikoirotuma

Prediction: 
This is a match that will keep a number of fans of all nations up given the importance of the battle. Australia are one of the tournament favourites, however, Fiji are a dangerous team as we witnessed last weekend against England. Michael Cheika has picked a strong line up for this match and once again he has opted to play Michael Hooper and David Pocock in tandem, a ploy that worked so well for them against the All Blacks in Sydney. The speed of Hooper and the power of Pocock will be critical to Australia controlling the breakdown in Cardiff. In the backline, Will Genia replaces Nick Phipps after the latter’s poor showings in recent weeks, but otherwise the backline is full-strength. As has been the case for all matches this season, the Wallabies possess a strong bench, with the Queensland props James Slipper and Greg Holmes sure to cause Fiji trouble at scrum time in the second half. Will Skelton’s bulk will be important as will the influence of Matt Toomua and Kurtley Beale, two players who have thrived off the bench in recent matches.
Fijian coach John McKee has made four changes to his team this week, one of them due to the one-week suspension handed to flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu. The other changes in the pack see Tuapati Talemaitoga take over at hooker, Tevita Cavubati comes into the second row and Harlequins back rower Netani Talei starts at number eight. Nemani Nadolo was exceptional for Fiji against Italy last week and playing against his cousin Tevita Kuridrani will be a proud moment for both them and their families.
Like any team that plays Fiji, Australian won’t want to get drawn into a sevens style of game, something the South-Sea Islanders revel at. Michael Cheika will implement a game plan similar to that of England, but expect Australia’s backs to make more inroads in their opposition. Fiji will have their moments in this match, but the Wallabies should be comfortable winners, especially with the power they have on their bench and the dominance that they will have at the breakdown. If England can beat them by 24 in a high-pressure game, Australia can beat them by more.

Predicted result: Australia to win @ $1.03 – Bet365

Best Bet 2: Australia -24.5 (vs Fiji) @ $1.90 – Sportsbet (early twitter play)

France ($1.01) vs Romania ($101.00)

Kick-off: Thursday – 05:00 (AEDT)

The final match on Thursday morning sees France host Romania at the Olympic Stadium in London. France got their campaign off to a solid start with a 32 – 10 victory over Italy last weekend, however, the match was tarnished with an injury to star winger Yoann Huget. Romania are yet to play a match in this year’s tournament, so they will be eager to test their abilities against one of the world’s top teams. Looking at the history between these two nations, they have met on 51 occasions, with the French currently riding a 25 year winning streak.

France Team: 

Vincent Debaty, Dimitri Szarzewski (captain), Uini Atonio, Bernard le Roux, Alexandre Flanquart, Yannick Nyanga, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Noa Nakaitaci, Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Sofiane Guitoune, Brice Dulin
Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Eddy Ben Arous, Nicolas Mas, Yoann Maestri, Damien Chouly, Rory Kockott, Frederic Michalak, Mathieu Bastareaud

Romania Team:

Mihai Lazar, Otar Turashvili, Paulică Ion, Valentin Popârlan, Johan Van Heerden, Valentin Ursache, Viorel Lucaci, Mihai Macovei (captain), Florin Surugiu, Danut Dumbrava, Adrian Apostol Florin Vlaicu, Paula Kinikinilau, Madalin Lemnaru, Catalin Fercu
Reserves: Andrei Radoi, Andrei Ursache, Horace Bags, Ovidiu Tonita, Stelian Burcea, Valentin Calafeteanu, Ionut Botezatu, Csaba Gal

Prediction: 
It is hard to predict what is going to happen in this match given that France have picked their ‘B’ team, bar a couple of players and there isn’t a lot of information around on the Romanians. In recent matches, they have managed to beat Namibia, an Argentinian development team, before losing to both Edinburgh and Tonga in the warm-ups. There is no doubt that France is going to win this match, it will just be a case of by how much. A lot of the French players will be looking to impress their coach ahead of the more important games, which could work both for and against them.

Predicted result: France to win by 50 @ $1.01 – William Hill

Best Bet 3: France -39.5 (vs Romania) @ $1.90 – Luxbet (early twitter play)

New Zealand ($1.00) vs Namibia ($101.00)

Kick-off: Friday – 05:00am (AEDT)

New Zealand will run out at the Olympic Stadium for the second match in a row when they face Africa’s second best team, Namibia on Friday morning. The All Blacks were somewhat off the boil against a gallant Pumas outfit last weekend in front of the biggest crowd ever to watch a Rugby World Cup fixture (89,019), but their bench and in particular, Sonny Bill-Williams proved to be the difference. It was the first time New Zealand hasn’t scored a four-try bonus point in a pool game since 1999. This will be Namibia’s first match of the tournament and what a way to start, playing the defending world champions. These teams have never faced each other, however, they will be well aware of what their opponents will bring to the table in London.

New Zealand Team:

Ben Franks, Codey Taylor, Charlie Faumauina, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Sam Cane (captain), Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Sonny Bill Williams, Malakai Fekitoa, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Colin Slade

Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Ma’a Nonu, Ben Smith

Namibia Team:

Jaco Engels, Torsten Van Jaarsveld, Johannes Coetzee, PJ Van Lill, Tjiuee Uanivi, Jacques Burger (captain), Tinus Du Plessis, Leneve Damens, Eugene Jantjies, Theuns Kotze, Conrad Marais, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, David Philander, Johan Tromp

Reserves: Louis van der Westhuizen, Casper Viviers, Raoul Larson, Renaldo Bothma, Janco Venter, Rohan Kitshoff, Eneill Buitendag, Chrysander Botha

Prediction:

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made 12 changes to his team that defeated Argentina last weekend. One may describe it as a ‘B’ team, but it is a formidable one at that. Only lock Sam Whitelock, Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder have retained their places with Hansen giving a number of his second-string players an opportunity to get some game time and fine tune their skills before the bigger matches. Sam Cane has the honour of captaining his country for the first time and he is joined in a intimidating back row by Liam Messam and Victor Vito. Hurricanes halves TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett have been given the reins to orchestrate a powerful backline that includes Fekitoa, SBW, Savea, Milner-Skudder and Slade. With a bench that includes three 100+ cap veterans and two of the form backs in world rugby, Namibia are going to be in for a long afternoon. When you compare them to the team named by Namibian coach Phil Davies, the whole team only has 299 Test caps. They are led by the impressive flanker Jacques Burger who will be in the thick of it all night, openside Tinus du Plessis and halfback Eugene Jantjies who will also be playing in their third Rugby World Cups. We have seen a number of the tier one nations struggle against the ‘minnows’ so far in the UK, but this All Black team would be capable of beating any other tier one nation and for that reason, I can see them scoring tries at will in London.

Predicted result: New Zealand to win by a cricket score @ $1.00 – Bet365
Best Bet 1: Team A First Half Points Over 39.5 (vs Romania) @ $1.85 – Sportsbet