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
Average early show, subject to change
France -2.5 points at 9/10
New Zealand +2.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
to follow
Bet: to follow
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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