Rugby World Cup Preview – 11.15 am kick off
The reigning World Champions New Zealand kick-off their knockout stage campaign with a game against Ireland. The Kiwis were perfect through their pool stage campaign but the Irish suffered one defeat as host nation Japan got the better of them. But two wins in their last three against the All Blacks, can Ireland prevail once again over the Kiwis?
New Zealand v Ireland odds*
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 33/1 | 9/2 |
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 17th, 2019 at 5:12 pm)
Rugby World Cup betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
New Zealand News & Form
The Kiwis won their pool without really getting up to their blistering best. But the pool stage was won in their first match when they got the better of big fellow title contenders South Africa. After a less than ideal Rugby Championship as their preparations, the New Zealand team went to the World Cup having to answer some serious questions. They have not been at their best this year at all, but recent results have improved. They did beat Australia heavily in their final game before the World Cup.
Then their win over South Africa in their opening match of the tournament, a 23-13 success was notable, particularly from a defensive point of view. They held off the expected fightback from the Springboks and given their defence was looking a little shaky, they needed that. New Zealand had drawn with South Africa in the Rugby Championship. Richie Mo’unga is a key player for their success along with the brilliant Beauden Barrett. There is clearly more to come from the All Blacks who still don’t quite look as if they know that their best starting 15 is.
Ireland News & Form
Back in November 2016, Ireland took that historic win in Chicago over the All Blacks. They repeated the feat against the All Blacks in November last year as they claimed a 16-9 victory over New Zealand at Lansdowne Road. So Joe Schmidt’s men can look back at those results for confidence ahead of this clash. Ireland are going with experience for this clash, drafting Rob Kearney back into the line up ahead of Jordan Lamour.
Peter O’Mahony comes into the back row as well. Ireland were not perfect in the pool stage, opening with a crushing win over Scotland, but they lost a duel with host nation Japan which exposed some of Ireland’s frailties. The last time that Ireland met the All Blacks at the World Cup was in 1995, with the All Blacks running out 43-19 winners. Ireland have never been beyond the quarter-finals at a World Cup. They are going to need a near-perfect display to pull it off in this campaign.
New Zealand v Ireland Betting Tip
New Zealand -12 handicap at even money
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 17th, 2019 at 5:12 pm)
New Zealand v Ireland Prediction
New Zealand have not lost any of their last 17 World Cup fixtures. It’s a remarkable run of form and even though they are not as good as they were four years ago, they are likely going to have too much in the tank for Ireland. The Irish haven’t looked quite as cohesive and clinical as they need to be. The Connor Murray and Johnny Sexton partnership is so important for the Irish, but even on top of their game, the All Blacks are still likely to get the better of them.
