Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi Final Preview – Saturday, October 26th – 9.00 am
The World Cup semi-final is going to be an almighty showdown between England and New Zealand. Both were highly impressive in their respective quarter-final successes and now a place in the final beckons. Will England be able to upset to the two-time defending champions?
England v New Zealand Odds
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/2 | 28/1 | 5/13 |
England News & Form
England were highly impressive in their quarter-final against Australia. One of the stand out features of their game was their defence, which had to absorb so much early pressure in the contest. But they barely gave the Wallabies as sniff and then when it came to taking their chances, England were clinical. To score 40 points in a quarter-final fixture at the World Cup is no mean feat.
For their World Cup semi-final, head coach Eddie Jones has made a switch. George Ford comes back as fly-half for this contest, having been dropped to the bench for the Australia clash. That means Own Farrell goes back to inside centre. Going to the bench is Henry Slade, who made his first start of the campaign in that quarter-final. Other than that it is as you were for England.
Will tactical switch pay off?
Will England’s defence be able to soak up as much pressure from the All Blacks as they did against Australia? With Ford coming back in, a bit of the defensive edge from the half-backs have potentially been lost. That same defensive wall won’t be there for England, but with Ford, in there it is a tactical move to try and get England going a bit quicker in attack and an extra kicking dimension to England’s game.
Jonny May is fit to go after an injury scare and a key for England could be the pace through the centres and out on the wing. New Zealand have a relatively young backline compared to that of England and if England are prepared to move the ball wide then May’s pace and finishing power, even in chasing down kicks popped over the top, could be crucial.
Head to head
England hosted New Zealand last November and the Red Rose lost 16-15 at Twickenham. Sam Underhill had a late try ruled out, which denied England the win. In the overall head to head, New Zealand have won 33 of 41 previous meetings. The last time that England got the better of the Kiwis was back in 2012. Three times before England and New Zealand have met at the World Cup. The All Blacks have won each of those meetings.
New Zealand News & Form
The Kiwis have also made an interesting switch. They have moved impressive Flanker Sam Cane to the bench and have brought in Scott Barrett to the back row. Barret usually plays as a lock. The All Blacks seem to be peaking just at the right time after a less than ideal preparation ahead of the World Cup. They were astounding in their quarter demolition job over Ireland, the All Blacks winning 46-14. That was the reigning World Champions at their best and they are going to be something at a different level for England to try and deal with.
New Zealand have a clear edge in the full-back department, with Beauden Barrett there. He looks on a different planet to most other players and expects him to have a huge influence. There is the menace of Ardie Savea and Kieran Read banging around upfront, getting stuck into England and they have Richie Mo’unga fit as well, another huge boon for them. They are well up and running now are the All Blacks, who topped the charts for a lot of statistics at the World Cup, including points scored.
England New Zealand Tip:
New Zealand Winning Margin 1-12
* (betting odds was taken from bet365 on October 24th, 2019 at 4:40 pm)
Predictions
New Zealand are the favourites and they should be able to get the win. There really is nothing much between the two teams up front, and to keep England in this, Tom Curry and Sam Underhill are going to need big games working in tandem to try and secure ball.
Expect for the difference to start showing later on in the game through the backs. New Zealand have an inexperienced backline, but they still edge England in that department. In Beauden Barrett they have a match-winner.
New Zealand aren’t going to let go of their World Cup title easily and England would have to be perfect in execution and discipline. That’s a tough thing in 80 minutes of a World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks.
