New Zealand v France is one of the most anticipated fixtures
in all of rugby and this second test between the two sides has an extra edge to
it for those lucky enough to witness the first clash between those two.
New Zealand, World Champions and generally regarded as the
number one side in the world by some distance after breaking a long-standing
curse in meetings between the two in an incredibly tense final, ran out 10
point winners in the first test but were very much in debt towards their
incredible backline talent – especially messers Aaron Cruden and Smith at
halfback – after being well outplayed for significant parts of the game by the
French, most notably at the breakdown which slowed down All Black progress to a
standstill at some point thanks to a mighty backrow performance from Saint
Andre’s men combined with a fairly off the pace showing from All Black
backrowers.
Phillipe Saint Andre’s men have had two disappointing 6
Nations in a row – managing to play only three good halves of rugby in 5 games
this year but in typical fashion, when they are fully focused they are capable
of taking it to any side in the world and to say that they’re unlucky to have
lost is no understatement.
An extended international break from Super Rugby may have
been to blame for an off colour All Black showing from the backrowers – it’s a
sign of faith that Steve Hansen names the same All Black side that won last
week, despite Ben Smith’s impressive showing at fullback after doing well on
the wing with Israel Dagg having not reached his World Cup heights for some
time – although it’s well worth nothing the utter dominance of the front row
against a truly dire French counterpart. The return of Nicolas Mas to the front
row could not possibly have come at a better time given how quickly New Zealand
got Wayne Barnes onside, but the usurping of Camille Lopez after an assured
debut for Freddie Michalak can either be genius or madness; Although his form
on the International stage has failed to reach anywhere near his best level and
while France should make themselves known, New Zealand could be further out of
reach this time.
Advice
1 pt New Zealand to win by 11-15 points (6/1 Stan James)
1 pt New Zealand to win by 11-20 points (23/10 Paddy Power)
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