Wingers where to look for top tryscorer

History shows that it pays to follow New Zealand wingers and full-backs when backing in the top tryscorer market. The All Blacks have provided the top tryscorer on five occasions (Craig Green/John Kirwan 1987, Jonah Lomu 1995 & 1999, Doug Howlett/Mils Muliaina 2003 and Julian Savea in 2015).

It is a mark of the talent and depth in the New Zealand back three that a player with less than a handful of test starts heads the market, that man is Sevu Reece. The 22-year-old exploded onto the scene in his debut season, scoring 15 tries (a league high) as the Crusaders secured another Super Rugby title.

After his stellar season Reece forced his way into Steve Hansen’s squad and scored his first All Blacks try in the 36-0 demolition of Australia. With question marks surrounding usual starter Rieko Ioane, Reece looks set to get a lot of game time in the group stages where fixtures against Canada, Italy and Namibia provide ample opportunity to rack up the tries.

The inclusion of Reece in the squad feels similar to that of Joe Rokocoko who burst onto the scene in 2003 and scored 6 tries in 5 appearances. So while it isn’t usually my way to go with a favourite in this market, Reece looks too obvious to miss.

My second selection in the top tryscorer market is another winger, Australia’s Marika Koroibete. The former rugby league star switched codes in 2017 and could be set for a breakout tournament. Now while his tally of 5 international tries in 18 appearances may not jump off the page, but that may have been a product of the team around him.

Australia look to have found a better balance now in their backline with the return of James O’Connor in the centres providing guile alongside the battering ram Samu Kerevi. With Kurtley Beale set to fill the boots of Israel Folau at 15, Koroibete should be given plenty of chances to add to his international tally.

Add to his games against Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay in the groups should be open, expansive affairs with tries a plenty – at 50/1 he is well worth chancing.

Sevu Reece - 2pts @ 9/1
Marika Koroibete - 0.5pts e/w @ 66/1

Tuilagi can lead the charge for England

England head to Japan full of confidence after strong performances in the warm-up games and one man who is key to their hopes is Manu Tuilagi.

The wrecking ball centre is finally putting a run of games together having featured in every England fixture in 2019. He caused havoc against Ireland at Twickenham a couple of weeks ago scoring a try as England cruised to a 57-15 victory.

Crucially that performance came with Tuilagi lining up at outside centre (he played at inside centre during the Six Nations) – playing in that extra space really utilises the 28-year-olds skills where he can attack the outside channels and doesn’t constantly face two or three man tackles.

With fitness doubts surrounding Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph, Tuilagi is sure to play at 13 alongside Owen Farrell and George Ford – with all the talent around him the Leicester man can really shine at this World Cup and looks a good each-way bet to lead the try scoring charts for his country.

Manu Tuilagi - 1pt e/w @ 18/1

Pollard to go one better in 2019

South African fly-half Handre Pollard enjoyed a sensational World Cup debut in 2015 scoring 93 points (finishing second to Nicolas Sanchez in scoring charts) as the Boks claimed third spot. The 25-year-old is a metronomic goal kicker but also offers a threat in ball in hand, scoring 6 tries in 41 games.

With the exception of New Zealand the Boks face a pretty straightforward group stage where points should flow particularly against Namibia and if you fancy them to go deep into the tournament as I do, then Pollard will be the man kicking the penalties and conversions.

Out of the market principles he looks the most solid in my eyes and given his test record, his best price of 5/1 won’t last long.

Handre Pollard - 2pts @ 5/1