France vs New Zealand Predictions - Hosts backed to see off All Blacks challenge

With the handicap set at one point, I’m backing the hosts to cover at even money.

Historically this fixture has been dominated by New Zealand. The All Blacks have won 11 of their last 12 meetings against the French, but the last time they met, in 2021, France won 45-25 at home.

This is a huge opening fixture for the World Cup hosts. They are priced as one of the favourites alongside New Zealand, and many forecast this to be the final come 28 October.

France are in sublime form, particularly at home but they will have some serious pressure to deal with on the opening night. This fixture is likely to determine who finishes top and second in Pool A, although Italy will want to have a say.

After finishing second to Ireland in the 2023 Six Nations, France have played a few warm-up games. They lost in Scotland with a weakened side, then beat the same opposition a week later on home soil.

France also saw off a determined Fiji outfit with a weakened side while they comfortably beat Australia in their final warm-up match.

France have suffered a few injury blows ahead of the World Cup. It has been confirmed that first-choice flyhalf, Romain Ntamack will miss the tournament while inside centre, Jonathan Danty will also miss the opener.

The latest injury is that of lock Paul Willemse while Cyril Baille also misses the opener.

New Zealand had a few very inconsistent years since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. They however seemed to start getting things right towards the end of 2022 as they went on an 11-match unbeaten run.

That run includes the Rugby Championship earlier this year where they beat Australia, Argentina, and South Africa with relative comfort. However, there has been a lingering feeling that the All Blacks just aren’t quite the team of years past.

New Zealand beat Australia again in the second Bledisloe Cup match but this time they only narrowly did so. Their only other warm-up match came in a humiliating 35-7 loss to South Africa at Twickenham.

That result has put the cat among the pigeons with many now wondering about the All Black chances. But this is the All Blacks and regardless of form, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Like with France, this is the biggest clash of the pool. Regardless of the result, both sides are likely to progress to the quarter-final.

It was a huge relief that Scott Barrett was not sighted for further punishment after his red card against South Africa. So he is available, and it looks like they will be close to full strength in other areas as well.