All of the top ranked sides in the world are in action today
but we know the undisputed number 1 side on the planet and New Zealand can show
their colours and lay down another marker for World Rugby when they take on
France this evening. The All Blacks have never won a World Cup outside of their
own home turf but since winning the 2011 nailbiter, have failed to win only
twice in an astonishing 30 games since and head towards 2015 with the confirmed
number 1 test side and plenty of great youth to boot too.
Unbeaten in 11 tests so far this year, Steve Hansen’s side
have been unbeaten since what’s looking like an ever more freakish loss to
England when their squad was decimated by midweek illness and their first three
successes were wins against France in the summer when Saint-Andre’s side were
brushed aside and never got to within more than 10 points.
In Christchurch and New Plymouth the French were wiped aside
and nothing in a second successive Grand Slam of the Rugby Championship
suggested anything was about to change, especially when they won one of the
best test games of recent memory at Ellis Park to clinch the title on the final
day.
France have won just one of their eight tests – a win over
Scotland here in March – and have the feel of an unbalanced side who have lost
the ability to put together 80 minute performances. He can count on Morgan
Parra – luckily with his suspension cut – to take his place at scrum half, but
the selection of Remi Tales is a strange one considering how impressive
Francois Trinh-Duc was with the chance last year in the 6 Nations, while Adrian
Lopez handled himself well in the summer.
In any case, a handicap of just 13 points looks generous
given the obvious gulf in class and should be readily taken given the power and
class of Hansen’s champions.
Advice
1 pt New Zealand -13 (10/11 general)
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