New Zealand vs Ireland
16th July 2022 – Kick Off 08:05hrs
Rugby – England – International Test
Pick Ireland +10 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Even Money odds taken 04:49 GMT on July 14th, 2022
After a historic moment in Dunedin last weekend, Ireland face New Zealand on Saturday in a series decider.
A week ago, Ireland landed their first ever triumph over the All Blacks in New Zealand.
What can the men in green now come up with as they head to Wellington for an epic finale?
Table of Contents
New Zealand Preview – What next for the All Blacks?
New Zealand opened this series against Ireland with a convincing 42-19 victory.
The 2021 Rugby Championship winners firmly delivered the odds on that occasion.
But the mighty All Blacks were a shadow of themselves in the second Test.
It can be argued that their downfall was brought on by themselves.
Two yellow cards and a red card for Angus Ta’avao in the 31st minute really unravelled the All Blacks.
A misunderstanding with replacements meant that they also couldn’t bring the highly influential Ardie Savea back onto the pitch.
So it was a mess from New Zealand, who were already struggling a bit under a bright start from Ireland.
Still, New Zealand had pulled themselves to within three points of Ireland but faced the entire second half a man shot.
New Zealand are 1/4 odds-on favourites in rugby betting to win on Saturday* (odds recorded 04:49 GMT on July 14th, 2022 at Bet365)
Consistency does appear to have been a recent issue for New Zealand.
In their final Rugby Championship match last October, they suffered a defeat against South Africa.
Then after comfortable wins over the USA, Wales and Italy in the Autumn, New Zealand lost back to back international matches.
That’s almost unheard of.
But the All Blacks were beaten by Ireland and France in the Autumn Internationals.
It all adds up to New Zealand going W2 L3 in their last five internationals.
Interestingly as well, New Zealand have lost four of their last seven in particular against Ireland.
That is since not having previously lost to the men in Green before 2016.
New Zealand Starting XV
J Barrett; Reece, R Ioane, Havili, Jordan; B Barrett, Smith; Bower, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock; S Barrett, Cane (capt), Savea.
Replacements: Coles, Ross, Tu’ungafasi, A Ioane, Papalii, Fakatava, Mo’unga, Tuivasa-Sheck.
Ireland Preview – Can Ireland finish the job?
In the second Test against New Zealand last weekend in this series, Ireland did everything right.
Just about everything they couldn’t get going in the first match came together in Dunedin.
Ireland put the first points on the board in the match. At no point were they trailing.
The Irish were competitive up front, tackles were sticking as well.
Discipline was highly improved.
In rugby betting odds, another win for Ireland is a quote of 3/1 for Saturday’s fixture* (odds recorded 04:49 GMT on July 14th, 2022 at Bet365).
Ireland are going to be facing a wounded beast in Wellington without question.
In the first Test Ireland had also made a bright start, but eventually couldn’t sustain their effort against the All Blacks.
This leaves the question of how big of a factor New Zealand’s red card was in that second match.
Ireland have a bit of momentum now but can they carry that forward?
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Bundee Aki comes in to replace Garry Ringrose in Saturday’s line-up.
That’s the only change Ireland make and it is one that has been forced by injury.
Fast starts by Ireland have been a feature of the first two Tests,
They need more of the same, picking straight up where they left off in Dunedin.
The Ireland Race To 10 points is a 2/1 option in rugby betting* (odds recorded 04:49 GMT on July 14th, 2022 at Bet365)
Ireland Starting XV
Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan, O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Herring, Healy, Bealham, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Earls.
New Zealand vs Ireland Betting Advice
New Zealand really can’t be as bad again as they were last weekend. Their first half an hour was a mess.
But still, even with their discipline issues, they had pulled to within 3 points of Ireland at one point.
That was never going to be sustained for such a long time with only 14 men.
It obviously hints that they have a lot more in the tank and the New Zealand 6-10 winning margin is our first rugby tip at 17/4* (odds recorded 04:49 GMT on July 14th, 2022 at Bet365)
Key Facts – New Zealand vs Ireland Betting Tip
- New Zealand have lost four of their last seven against Ireland
- New Zealand lost their first ever home fixture against Ireland last weekend
- Ireland never trailed on the scoreboard during the second Test
Ireland have had some great recent successes against New Zealand and appear to know how to handle them.
They were hammered in the First Test and it’s hard to take a fair reflection away from last weekend’s success under the circumstances.
Another good start by the tourists will likely unsettle NZ.
But the All Blacks should power their way to a victory if albeit not by a tremendously wide margin.
Ireland +10 handicap at even money* (odds recorded 04:49 GMT on July 14th, 2022 at Bet365).
The best betting odds for New Zealand vs Ireland
New Zealand to win: 1/4 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Ireland to win: 3/1 at Bet365
