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Remind me next time

New Zealand suffered just their second defeat of the year when being outplayed by Ireland last weekend but there's no time for the tourists to lick their wounds as they get set to head to Paris to face France.

Les Bleus have made light work of their two autumn engagements to date as they continue to build towards next year's Six Nations and beyond that, the 2023 World Cup. Saturday's clash at the Stade de France is a preview of the opening game of that tournament in two years' time, while the betting suggests they could meet again in the final with France and New Zealand the top two in the ante-post market.

This is therefore an opportunity for one side to strike a psychological blow against a World Cup rival in what should be a fitting finale to both teams' international campaigns.

France vs New Zealand Betting Odds 

Bookmakers clearly view last week's defeat to Ireland as a blip on the radar for New Zealand, pricing them up at 8/15 to get back to winning ways at France's expense. The All Blacks have won 14 straight against the French and were by far the better side when the two teams last faced each other in 2018.

New Zealand swept the home series 3-0 against Les Bleus, scoring 52 points in the opening Test and 49 in the finale. However, this France team has come a long way since then and are 15/8 to record a first win over the Kiwis since 2009.

France, who are 10/11 starting with a 5.5-point handicap, enter the game seeking to protect a fantastic home record which has seen them win 11 of their last 12 home matches, a run which includes their recent autumn victories over Argentina and Georgia. 

France vs New Zealand Team News 

Georgia became France's latest victims as they slumped to a 41-15 defeat with the hosts scoring six tries. The victory did come at a cost with hooker Julien Marchand suffering a rib injury. He was replaced by Peato Mauvaka during the game and the Toulouse forward could get the start on Saturday after going over twice against Georgia. 

Head coach Fabien Galthie continues to lack depth in midfield with Virimi Vakatawa and Arthur Vincent sidelined.

New Zealand are sweating over fly-half Beauden Barrett's fitness after he failed a head injury assessment against Ireland. Head coach Ian Foster says a decision will be made on his availability later in the week. 

The All Blacks also lost centre Anton Lienert-Brown due to a shoulder injury in that game and he is out for the weekend.

France vs New Zealand Prediction

France +5.5 - BET NOW

 

France's autumn has been building up to this meeting with the world's top-ranked side and they will be desperate to put down a marker with a home World Cup now on the horizon. Galthie has assembled an extremely talented squad and while they haven't impressed in their two most recent outings, they could be catching New Zealand at a good time. 

The All Blacks looked exhausted after being dominated by Ireland for nearly 80 minutes and while they deserve credit for staying in the game for so long thanks to their guile and skill, they appear ready for a break. 

New Zealand could still find a way to win this game - after all they have set a new world record for tries and points scored this year - but it's unlikely to be as big a winning margin as they enjoyed the last time they faced the French.

France are such a tough side to beat at home now and on the rare occasions they have been bested, there's been very little in it. Scotland won by four points in an empty Stade de France in March, while Wales won by five in 2019. 

With playmakers like Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou and Romain Ntamack in the backs, a solid pack, and New Zealand having not been at their best on this tour, this is a chance for France to make a statement.

France vs New Zealand Betting Tips

1. France +5.5 - BET NOW

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Autumn Internationals 2021: France vs New Zealand Betting Tips