Fiji will again look to take the game to New Zealand when they clash in the second Test at FMG Stadium in Waikato on Saturday.
New Zealand v Fiji
17 July 09h05
FMG Stadium Waikato
To Win (80 mins)
New Zealand N/A
Draw 40/1
Fiji 20/1
Handicap
NZ -40.5 (9/10)
Fiji +40.5 (9/10)
Fiji will again look to take the game to New Zealand when they clash in the second Test at FMG Stadium in Waikato on Saturday.
Last week the All Blacks struggled early on before recording a comfortable 57-23 win in Dunedin. The final scoreline certainly isn’t an accurate reflection of how the game panned out, though. Replacement hooker Dane Coles came off the bench to bag four tries in the final half-hour as Ian Foster’s men tightened up their game to devastating effect and finally ended the Flying Fijians’ charge.
If the All Blacks place more emphasis on their set-piece and the breakdown from the get-go this week, they should play far more convincing rugby. Fiji targeted the tackle point and managed to slow down skipper Aaron Smith’s service at the base last time out.
All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar hinted that there may be more changes on the cards for his side as they continue to search for their strongest starting combination, with Bledisloe 1 less than a month away.
Led by midfield dynamo Levani Botia, the Pacific Islanders did themselves proud and gave the hosts plenty to think about. No-nonsense head coach Vern Cotter is an experienced campaigner and may well have more tricks up his sleeve as he again prepares to face the country of his birth.
New Zealand will be far more wary of what Fiji can do this week, but that doesn’t mean a win will come easy. Especially if more changes are on the way.
Verdict: Fiji +40.5 (9/10)
New Zealand will take another victory here but it shouldn’t exceed 40-points.
