France clash with New Zealand in the last of Saturday's international rugby matches and the betting suggests there will be little to choose between the sides.
France v New Zealand, Saturday 16th November, Paris, KO 22:10 (South African time)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Weather Forecast - Paris
France:
France thrashed Japan 52-12 last week, scoring all of 8 tries. That was their first action since Jult when they shared a 2 match series with Los Pumas in Argentina, winning the first match 28-18 and losing the second 33-25. They also beat Uruguay 43-28.
In the Six Nations early this year France finished as runners up, 5 points behind Ireland with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. They lost their opening match at home to Ireland 38-17 before wins in Scotland (20-16), a 13-13 draw at home to Italy, a 45-24 victory in Wales and a 33-31 home win over England.
New Zealand:
The All Blacks were in Dublin last weekend and although they started the game as underdogs, given around6.5 points start on the main handicap line they came through with a 23-13 victory. Both sides scored 1 try a piece with Jordan crossing for New Zealand and McKenzie's haul of 6 penalties to 1 from the Irish proved the difference.
A week earlier he All Blacks took on England at Twickenham, they started as favourites at around 3.5 points on the main handicap line and edged the match 24-22. Mark Tele'a scored 2 of their 3 tries, the second of which came in the 76th minute and they had to survive a nervy finish with England missing a drop goal chance at the death.
On their way to Europe the All Blacks stopped in Yokohoma for a clash with Japan, they fielded a number of fringe players but still came away with a 64-19 victory.
New Zealand's recent Rugby Championship campaign comprised of 3 wins and 3 defeats and they came in as distant runners up to the Springboks. They finished with back to back wins over Australia (31-28 in Sydney and finally 33-13 in Wellington) and retained the Bledisloe Cup. Back to back defeats to the Boks in South Africa in Rounds 3 and 4 ended their title hopes (27-17 and 31-27). Their first two matches came at home to Argentina and they lost 38-30 in Round 1 and then bounced back and in some style, running out 42-10 winners a week later.
Team News
France: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Charles Ollivon, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevy Reece, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyral Lomax, 2 Codie Talor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie
Recent Head to Head
The most recent meeting came in the opening match of RWC23 in Paris and France came out on top 27-13
In Paris in November 2021 France won 40-25.
Prior to that the All Blacks had won each of the previous 14 head to heads
The Betting
Update 16 November 00h36
France -1.5 points at 9/10
New Zealand +1.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 16 November 00h36
The guest on this weeks THE HANDICAP, our live Rugby Betting Show as well as those in the live chat were firmly on the New Zealand side with the feeling that they will be battle hardened against a French team that is missing a few players due to injury.
I was quite strong on the French earlier in the week, but am rethinking and will hold fire for now.
The points line for this one is currently set at 51.5 and while I am leaning overs here I am going to wait to see what the weather looks like closer to the time, at the moment it looks pretty good.
One thing for sure is that I fancy a close game and at this point I am going to back either team to win by 7 points or less including the draw.
BET: 2 Units, winning 8+ margin, either team to win by 7 or less (including draw) at 13/10 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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