2008 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP BETTING PREVIEW FROM BLUE SQUARE

The odds are definitely in favour of Australia keeping their talons clutched to the Rugby League World Cup trophy, especially considering this would be their seventh World Cup in a row. This is the first time in eight years that the tourney has been held and both England and New Zealand will be looking to dent the Aussies chances and pride at the same time. Many pundits are pointing to England's first match against Papua New Guinea as the litmus test for just how well England will perform at this year's contest. GROUP WINNERSAustralia are the 2/9 favourites with Blue Square to top Group A, with France 2/5 to top Group B and Samoa 4/7 to top Group C.TOP SCORERSAustralia's top boys Greg Inglis and Israel Folau constitute the joint-favourites to score more tries than anyone else, both listed at 6/1. Ade Gardner is the closest Englishman, listed at 10/1. WINNING HEMISPHEREObviously the odds are favouring Australia for the win, therefore there is value on a Northern Hemisphere team taking this one- 1/7 Southern, 9/2 Northern.