2023 Rugby World Cup Top Try Scorer Odds & Predictions: Will France’s Exit Punish Penaud Punters?

Following four thrilling quarterfinal matchups over the weekend, the 2023 Rugby World Cup is one stage closer to its climax.

On Friday, Argentina and New Zealand will meet in the first semifinal at the Stade de France (3:00 pm ET, Peacock), then 2019 finalists England and South Africa will face off in the second semifinal at the same venue Saturday (3:00 pm ET, Peacock).

It has been an exciting tournament thus far, and the four quarterfinals–Wales vs Argentina, Ireland vs New Zealand, England vs Fiji, and France vs South Africa–could not have been much better in terms of drama.

Each match was not decided until the final minutes, and each eliminated team will have many a moment to replay again and again.

In the four contests, 22 tries were scored, including six alone in an extraordinary first half between Les Bleus and the Springboks, taking the tally for the entire 2023 Rugby World Cup to 312 tries in 44 matches.

Of those 312 tries, the most individual tries have been scored by France wing Damian Penaud.

Unfortunately, he won’t be able to add to his tally and challenge the all-time single tournament record of eight, which is held by late New Zealand great Jonah Lomu (1999), South Africa’s Bryan Habana (2015), and World Cup winner Julian Savea (2015).

But will he maintain his hold on top spot through the four remaining matches? With few close contenders still in the mix, he is favored to do so, but the door is wide open.

2023 Rugby World Cup Top Try Scorer Odds

Odds courtesy of MyBookie as of Monday, October 16, 2023.

• Damian Penaud, France +150
• Will Jordan, New Zealand +200
• Leicester Fainga’anuku, New Zealand +275
• Damian McKenzie, New Zealand +550
• Henry Arundell, England +800
• Cobus Reinach, South Africa +1600
• Mark Telea, New Zealand +2500
• Aaron Smith, New Zealand +3300

Who Are the Top Try Scorers at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

1. Damian Penaud, France (6 tries)

Penaud scored one try in France’s opener against New Zealand, a hat trick against Namibia, and two in the Pool A finale against Italy.

However, he wasn’t able to add to his tally in the 29-28 quarterfinal loss to South Africa, so his hold on top spot is shaky, at best.

T2. Seven players, including New Zealand’s Leicester Fainga’anuku & Will Jordan (5 tries)

Entering the Rugby World Cup, Telea was the All Black considered most likely to lead the tournament in tries.

Instead, Fainga’anuku and Jordan are both well-placed to do so after racking up the tries in the last few games.

Both went over the line in New Zealand’s thrilling 28-24 win over Ireland on Saturday, with Fainga’anuku scoring the game’s first try after being inserted into the starting XV due to a disciplinary violation by Telea.

The three-time Rugby World Cup champions have scored five or more tries in five of their last six meetings with Argentina, so the Pumas will have their work cut out for them to keep these two silenced if they are on the pitch.

England’s Arundell scored five tries against Chile, but he hasn’t played or even been on the bench for any of their other games to this point. So, save your money on taking a chance on him unless illness or injury comes into play.

t9. Louis Bielle-Biarray, France & Cobus Reinach, South Africa (4 tries)

Three of Reinach’s four tournament tries came in a 76-0 rout of Romania, with the other coming in the Boks’ Pool B finale against Tonga.

But after starting only twice in pool play, the experienced scrum-half drew the start for the win over France. He didn’t add to his tally against Les Bleus, but if he remains in the starting lineup for South Africa’s final two matches, he could end up at the top of the charts.

2023 Rugby World Cup Top Try Scorer Predictions & Betting Tips

Penaud is the leader in the clubhouse, but with Fainga’anuku, Jordan, and Reinach all with two more games left–the semifinal losers will face off in the third-place game on October 27, so each team has two games remaining no matter what–I don’t think he will finish there, at least not all by himself.

However, one thing to consider if you plan to make any Rugby World Cup top try scorer bets is how much scoring there might be in the semifinals.

In the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinals, only four tries were scored in the two matchups between England and New Zealand and Wales and South Africa. Four years prior, six tries were scored in the semis, which saw New Zealand defeat South Africa and Argentina defeat Australia.

Where to Bet on the 2023 Rugby World Cup

While rugby may not be one of the most widely watched or bet on sports in the United States, the Rugby World Cup always draws a lot of attention.

In fact, you can find 2023 Rugby World Cup odds at many of the top sports betting sites available to bettors in the USA.

Here are some of the online sportsbooks that we recommend which offer odds on each game in the tournament, as well as Rugby World Cup winner futures odds:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our in-depth reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds. Happy betting, and please bet responsibly.