Cup betting: Braveheart boys may just be worth a punt

Scotland go into the game needing a clear victory to avoid the airport on Monday morning. Photo / Getty Images

Considering Scotland haven't scored a try in their last two games they would hardly seem the team to back this weekend. But thanks to a glowing anomaly between the points start they are being given by the TAB and what their rivals England actually need to achieve at Eden Park on Saturday night, the Scots look a good bet.

Not that too many punters will be backing the Braveheart boys to win but it makes sense to have a few dollars on them with the 12.5 points they are being given by the TAB.

Scotland go into the game needing a clear victory to avoid the airport on Monday morning, whereas England only need to stay within seven points and they are through.

So while the English have run amok against Romania and Georgia they don't have to risk a try-fest and will be comfortable reverting to maul, kick and chase.

If they get points up on the Scots, they can push the ball into the corners knowing Scotland aren't going to run the length of the field because the Scots have problems running 20m to score.

So if you take Scotland getting the 12.5 points start you not only win if they pull off a miracle against their old masters, but you have plenty of room to move in a game that should see the scoreboard tick over in multiples of three.

After all, a 12.5 point start means England have to kick four more penalties or drop goals than Scotland to cover the point spread.

In other matches punters should be wary of the big-name teams giving away too much of a start to the minnows, even though many of the lower-ranked teams are exhausted.

Australia and Wales will be confident about beating Russia and Fiji and could make changes in their games to protect elite players for the quarter-finals.

That could even apply to South Africa should they get a points buffer on Samoa, although the latter's defensive qualities make their 17.5 point start seem generous.

Money makers

Scotland with a 12.5 start against England. Have you ever seen Six Nations? Enough said.

All Blacks to cover the points spread against Canada as long as Carter plays. The ABs have too many points of attack.

Radike Samo to score if he plays on the wing for Australia against Russia. Julia Gillard could score on the wing for Australia against Russia.