Four Nations Rugby League

By The Man

Australia v New Zealand



13th November 07:30 GMT, Sky Sports 1

Predictably the Four Nations final features the best two teams in the world as favourites Australia host World Champions New Zealand. Last week the two teams met in a dead rubber and Australia showed their class posting a victory that was more comprehensive than the 34-20 scoreline suggests.

This final repeat is in Brisbane, the scene of the World Cup Final but I feel this will count for little. Apart from that blip Australia have a very impressive record at the venue. As expected captain Darren Lockyer and Billy Slater return to the side and if anything the Australians will be stronger.

Australia are worthy favourites, they are the better side and whilst New Zealand have reduced the gap recently a gap still remains. New Zealand are not without a chance. I felt they were a little too pumped up last week and the Australians simply did the basics better. If the visitors can start well and respect the ball a bit better they have hope.

The betting has Australia between 8pts and 10pts favourites and I'm afraid from a betting perspective it's a mark I'm in agreement with. There's a chance NZ could win but by the same token Australia could do to them what they did to England in last year's final and pile on the points in the closing stages. I don't feel they'll take their foot off the gas this week.

The tournament has been relatively high scoring for test football which is quite surprising and I'd expect that trend to end with a higher intensity final though I haven't enough confidence to suggest a wager.

I'll content myself to play on the exchanges as a layer and my prices are below if anyone wants to join me:
 
Match Odds
 
Australia 1.27
NZ 3.65
Draw 24
 
NZ +8.5
Australia 1.83
NZ 1.87
 
NZ +20.5
Australia 1.19
NZ 3.85
 
Australia +10.5
Australia 1.06
NZ 6.4
 
This is the last game of a long season and hopefully another profitable one can start again in February.
 
The Man