New Zealand have already wrapped up the three match series 2-0 and they host France in the third and final Test in Hamilton on Saturday. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.
Most of the headlines around this tour has been the fact that France have sent an under-strength team and they started 22 points underdogs in the first Test in Dunedin. New Zealand dominated most areas of the game, but in the end they only won 31-27 with France comfortably beating the handicap.
It was a different story last weekend in Wellington though where the All Blacks started -21.5 and ran out comfortable 43-17 victors.
TEAMS
New Zealand:: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dalton Papali’i, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Will Jordan
France: 15 Léo Barré, 14 Posolo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortère, 12 Gaël Fickou (c), 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Antoine Guillards, 7 Joshua Brennan, 6 Baptiste Fischer, 5 Soane Halagahu, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Erdocio
Replacements: 16 Gaëtan Barlot, 17 Quentin Mallez, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandre Tixeront, 21 Jordan Bochaton, 22 Louis Le Brun, 23 Emilien Gailleton
The All Blacks are using this game to test their depth with a number of their 1st choice players sitting out.
BETTING – Click here to bet
New Zealand 1.10
Draw 46.00
France 8.50
Handicap: New Zealand -17.5
New Zealand have left a number of experienced players out of their side and that has seen money come for France with the opening handicap of -21.5 now -17.5. Conditions on the night will be cool and potentially humid and given the new combinations that New Zealand are trying, I am going to bet that they score 37 points or less in the match.
BET: New Zealand under 37.5 points at 1.85
One of my favourite markets to bet on is the First Try Scorer and it is no surprise to see Sevu Reece trading as a 9.00 favourite. The scrum half, Cortez Ratima gets a chance to show what he can do in the 9 jersey and I have always been impressed by his support play and I am going to back him to run on the shoulder of one of his big forwards and take a pass to score the first 5-pointer.
BET: Cortez Ratima, First Try Scorer at 13.00
Click here for betting on all of this weekend’s International Rugby action.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
