Waisea Nayacalevu and Fiji can cause problems for the Wallabies (Picture: Getty Images)
After the helter skelter adrenaline-fuelled action of the opening fixtures at the Rugby World Cup, the next batch of games look to be rather more sedate affairs.
The tournament opened with thrills and spills as France stunned New Zealand in Paris before George Ford’s boot sent 14-man England to a superb win against Argentina. An amazing weekend closed with Wales enduring a white-knuckle finish as they clung on for victory against Fiji.
The second round of matches could be more one-sided with little betting appeal, starting with hosts France enjoying what should be a cakewalk against Uruguay in Lille.
There also won’t be much to learn from New Zealand’s outing against Namibia on Friday. The All Blacks may be licking their wounds after losing to Les Bleus but this was always going to be a routine game no matter what the result at the Stade de France.
There’s also not much excitement on offer when Ireland face Tonga and Wales take on Portugal while the match between Samoa and Chile is one for the diehards.
Fast forward to Sunday, though, and there are a couple of crackers on the card.
All eyes will be on England as they tackle Japan and they are 6/1 with bet365 to win by between 16 and 20 points.
The best game of the weekend, however, is going to be the shootout between Australia and Fiji.
The Wallabies were impressive 35-15 winners in their opening Group C outing against Georgia, but it may have come at a heavy price with star scrum-half Tate McDermott being ruled of this encounter with a concussion.
Fiji finished strongly with two late tries against Wales and could have completed an epic comeback had Semi Radradra not fumbled.
If he had strolled over the whitewash and the conversion was successful, Fiji would have been celebrating a historic victory in their first match since beating England in a warm-up at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones might not be smiling after Sunday’s match
The wind may have temporarily been knocked out of their sales but the Fijians will fight tooth and nail to avoid being effectively eliminated from the competition and Eddie Jones’ Wallabies will have to be on their toes.
Place small stakes on Fiji at 11/4 with Betway to beat Australia, who are not the force of old, and at 11/10 with the same firm with a 6.5-point start.
• Viktor Hovland is 7/1 with Betfair to follow his BMW Championship and FedExCup/Tour Championship successes by winning this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Also go each-way on Matt Fitzpatrick, previous winner Tyrrell Hatton and in-form Ludvig Aberg (16/1, 20/1 and 22/1 with the same firm).
• Poland’s Adrian Meronk can take out his frustration at failing to make Europe’s Ryder Cup team by smacking the ball huge distances off the tee at Wentworth and is worth an each-way wager at 50/1 with BoyleSports to be the first round leader.
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Fiji can shock Australia at the Rugby World Cup.Â
