Rugby League World Cup Tips - Samoa v France

Samoa are looking to build on the momentum of making the final of the last World Cup but will not get it easy against an improved Les Chanticleers outfit.

Best Bet

France +48.5

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Samoa’s attempt to reach back-to-back finals kicks off at CommBank Stadium on Friday night when Toa Samoa meet France’s Les Chanticleers.

France have been an extraordinarily weak Test playing nation for the best part of 40 years but the wheel has slowly started turning since four-time NRL premiership winning coach Trent Robinson took over as Director of Rugby. This is the strongest Les Chanticleers squad we have seen at a World Cup since the 1970s and while they will struggle to win a game under the current format, they are talented enough to push Samoa – or at the very least push them enough to stay within the 48.5-point line.

Latrell Siegwalt and skipper Ben Garcia have Test experience while there is plenty of talent in the squad, particularly on the wings and with their middles while Arthur Mourgue won a Super League title with Hull KR last season.

Samoa certainly go in with a big talent edge, particularly in their backs, but the middles are lumbering at best and France will fancy their chances of holding their own in the middle.

These teams have met at four of the last six World Cups and Samoa have won by 50-plus just once.

Samoa are also renowned slow starters. They lost their opening game at the last two Pacific Championships while they lost 60-6 at the World Cup they made the final in when they opened against England. This century Samoa have not won an opener to a World Cup by more than eight points.

France look a very good bet getting 48.5 points.

Same Game Multi

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Try/Chanel Harris-Tavita Try/Leo Darrelatour Try

Same Game Multi

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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is an outstanding tryscorer who has crossed for 18 tries in 21 games at rep level and 66 tries in 78 games since joining the Dolphins.

Chanel Harris-Tavita has five tries in 10 games for Samoa – including three in three games starting in the halves.

Leo Darrelatour has been outstanding for Catalans this year with 13 tries in 14 matches and he scored on his Test debut against Jamaica.

Value Bet

Francis Manulelua

To Score A Try

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$3.20

It has been an outstanding rookie campaign for Knight edge Francis Manulelua, who had played just five games in the NRL up to Round 20. But boy did he finish the season with a bang as a key cog in Newcastle’s unlikely run to the Grand Final. He scored tries in three of his last five club games including ones in the preliminary final and the Grand Final. He is a superstar in the making and he knows his way to the tryline.

Editor-In-Chief

Frankie McDonald

Frankie has spent more than two decades working in the Australian wagering industry and is widely regarded for his expertise in AFL, NRL and horse racing tips.