With a host of their first-choice players out through injury, France may struggle in their opening Test against the All Blacks in Auckland, writes Shaun Goosen.
New Zealand v France
9 June 09h35
Eden Park, Auckland
To Win (80 Mins)
New Zealand 1/100
Draw 40/1
France 11/1
Handicap
New Zealand 9/10 (-25.5)
France 9/10 (+25.5)
Lack of experience and synergy may cause a long day in the office for coach Jacques Brunel, as his team looks to build on a much-improved Six Nations campaign.
Since Brunel took over from Guy Noves as head coach of France in January, the performances and results of the national team have steadily improved. A routine win over Italy was followed by a fantastic 22-16 triumph against 2017 Six Nations holders England in an encouraging Six Nations campaign that saw them finish fourth.
However, considering that they are ranked eighth in the world, one wonders what the French Rugby Federation was hoping to achieve when agreeing to a tour of New Zealand. Any steady progress that has thus far been made will be tarnished with a heavy series defeat and the knock in confidence may be catastrophic to many of Brunel’s younger players.
Additionally, the absence of regular skipper Guilhem Guirado, Louis Picamoles, Antoine Dupont, Mathieu Jalibert, Yoann Huget, Geoffrey Palis, Camille Lopez, Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud, Virimi Vakatawa, Lionel Beauxis and Brice Dulin will be keenly felt by a unit struggling to find its identity on the Test scene. Only a performance for the ages will prevent them from the inevitable.
The All Blacks will show no mercy. Despite Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick, and Sonny Bill Williams ruled out of the series, the reigning World Champions boast enough style and substance to record comfortable wins at home.
The loss of Read at eighth-man may mean there is room for a newcomer in Jordan Taufua to pack down at the back of the scrum. Alternatively, Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire or even Ardie Savea could fill the void in the loose trio.
Brunel may give the 66-capped scrumhalf Morgan Parra his first Test since the 2015 World Cup, while the return of Wesley Fofana will also offer the side a much-needed quality boost.
France is the last team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park back in ’94 and they will realize that this first Test represents their best opportunity to do so again. They simply must take any chances that come their way if they are to cause an upset.
Verdict: New Zealand (-25.5) 9/10
France may keep it close in the opening quarter or so, but the All Blacks should ultimately take it by 20-points or more.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets
