The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins on the 8th of September, with the tournament taking place in France. The All Blacks vs France is the first game, played at the Stade de France in Paris. It’s fair to say that there are not many better-looking games in the group matches than this one. The hosts will be desperate to get off to the perfect start, as third in the world rankings takes on second! Let’s dive into the All Blacks vs France, where you can bet on the game and a match prediction.
Where can you find the best odds for this match?
The Rugby World Cup is always a popular betting event, and with the opening match being the All Blacks vs France, it will prove to be more popular than ever. But which bookmaker to use is the crucial question for punters.
William Hill is one of the biggest bookmakers on the market. A daily price boost is available on the site, allowing punters to make decent prices even bigger. Betway offers a free bet club. You can have a bet on the All Blacks vs France, and in addition, it will contribute to a future free bet.
Other strong options include Pinnacle, which offers competitive odds and high limits – Pinnacle is an excellent choice for serious punters. In addition, both Stake.com and 10bet are also worth scoping out – the pair provide a solid offering for rugby punters with a wide range of betting markets.
New Zealand in the Spotlight
The last time we saw an All Blacks vs France match was in November 2021. That was a 40-25 French win in the Stade de France. In Rugby World Cup history, these sides have had seven previous games. New Zealand lead 5-2 in wins, including the 1987 and 2011 World Cup Finals, on home soil in Auckland.
New Zealand’s 40-25 loss to France in 2021 ended a 14-game winning streak in All Blacks vs France history. A win to start a new streak will be expected, but the current All Blacks side lacks the class of old.
Sam Cane is the man with the pressure on his shoulders as captain. His leadership has been criticised, so his performance will be under the microscope above all others.
France in the Spotlight
As the French are known, Les Bleus will feel the pressure of the home crowd. Their first aim will be to get a winning start in their home tournament. Their ultimate aim will be to prove they are the best team in the world.
It brings pressure not seen since the 2007 Rugby World Cup, also on French soil. A quarter-final All Blacks vs France game saw them come out on top before losing to England in the semis.
Already a three-time finalist at the Rugby World Cup, the 2022 Six Nations winners will be hoping to make it four. They will be full of confidence, led by Antoine Dupont, arguably the best player in the game at present.
Player Overview
The current All Blacks side might not be a classic lineup without George Bridge. That said, they still boast a squad packed with huge talent. And huge is the right word for Joe Moody.
The prop is a hard-hitter in the tackle. Injuries have plagued Moody recently, but a fully fit Moody is a dangerous man.
Aaron Smith has won more caps than any back in All Blacks history, and few in the game compare to Smith in terms of passing. Accuracy with speed and vision have been the skills on which his legacy has been built.
Antoine Dupont makes France tick – he has been player of the tournament in three of the last four Six Nations championships. He boasts strength that belies his size with excellent vision of the field. France has only lost a single game that Dupont has scored a try in. That would shake up the in-play markets if he crosses the line.
Predictions for New Zealand vs France
The winner of this opening Pool A contest looks likely to take overall glory in the pool. With Namibia, Italy and Uruguay completing the group, it’s hard to see whoever wins this tasting defeat in the pool.
Awaiting the loser in the quarter-final is the winner of Pool B, probably South Africa or Ireland. South Africa is the team that New Zealand has the lowest win percentage against in world rugby. Avoiding the Springboks could be the difference between lifting the trophy and going home for New Zealand.
French hopes rest on handling the pressure of the home crowd. This could be a huge plus or a negative for them – only time will tell. A tight and physical game is expected when these teams meet – it’s a clash that rarely disappoints.
