Who will win the Rugby League World Cup

The rugby league World Cup has been an exciting affair so far. We have seen some exciting upsets, high scorelines, and fantastic highlights. The competition has now been widdled down to four teams and is in the semi-final stage.

The teams remaining are Australia, New Zealand, England, and Samoa. Each team except Samoa has won at least one World Cup, but anything can happen at this late stage of the competition. With that said, who will win the Rugby League World Cup?

Australia 

The Aussies have had a tremendous tournament so far. With a powerful side, they have managed to exert their dominance over every opponent faced so far and have never really looked in doubt. That kind of form sees them as the favorites heading into this stage of the competition. In fact, Rugby League betting odds have them at -225, much better than second favorites England at +320.

The nine-time world champions have produced a masterstroke so far, scoring no less than 42 in a game in the competition. They have yet to concede over double-digit points and look to bring that form into the semi-final. Mal Meninga’s men look to become the first ten-time champions and it’ll take some strong opposition to stop them. 

England

On the opposite side of the bracket, England stands most likely to go through. The three-time finalists (although former team Great Britain has two wins) have had a strong tournament thus far and hope their hot form continues. 

The host nation is looking to inject some fascinating play into the tournament and cause some upsets along the way. With a boisterous crowd behind them, Sam Tomkins looks to be leading his team to what could be a first World Cup win in front of their own fans. There would be no better place to win it all, and they will go down swinging.

They have already beaten Samoa 60-6 in this tournament and withstanding an unbelievable upset from Toa Samoa; they should cruise into the final.

New Zealand

The Kiwis find themselves on the unlucky side of the bracket, having to face Australia in the semi-final. The one-time champion won their only World Cup against Australia in 2008, 34-20. However, their last meeting in a final in 2013 ended 34-2 to the Aussies. Australia may be favored, but it would not be a complete shock to see New Zealand progress to the final. 

Head coach Michael Maguire has guided the Kiwis through more difficult opposition, scoring impressive victories over Ireland and Fiji. After coming through the competition more battle-tested, it could stand to them in the tournament’s latter stages. One thing is sure; they better bring their A-game if they’re to triumph over the reigning World Champions.

Samoa

Samoa has done itself proud to progress this far into the competition. As a country with only a population of 200,000, they have done exceptionally well to overcome the likes of France and Jamaica. They won a nail-biting contest 20-18 over a feisty Tonga side to progress to the semi-final. 

However, it may be as far as they come. To make the final, they must play David to England’s Goliath in their next match. Anything is possible at this stage of the World Cup. With all to play for, every team has a shot to be crowned world champions.