By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
The Stade de France will host a monumental clash between two rugby giants on Saturday night as France takes on New Zealand.
Both teams play some tremendous rugby, and it is sure to be a game that is easy on the eye.
France will look to build on a great win against Japan, whereas New Zealand will hope to secure a significant victory against a European team.
It is always fascinating to see how the game plays out whenever these two meet.
Under the Saturday night lights, it promises to be an entertaining affair, and there are some exciting betting options to explore.
France
France plays their rugby with tremendous flair and is a joy to watch on the field.
They can rival anyone and back themselves against any team on their day. They are coming off a 52-12 victory against Japan in Paris, where they kicked off their autumn campaign with a bang.
Over the last five matches, they have only lost once and have averaged 31 points per game.
After a stagnant Six Nations campaign, France has bounced back well and will look to build on a solid autumn to catapult them into some big games in 2025.
They relish having Antoine Dupont back as their scrum-half, as he was truly the best in the 2024 Six Nations and is preparing to win gold at the Olympics.
Dupont is, hands down, the best player the game has seen in a while. He is mesmerising to watch on the ball and keeps defenders on edge.
However, rugby is not a one-person sport, and many other great players in the French 15 will look to make an impact.
Louis Bielle-Biarry, Paul Boudehent, and Thomas Ramos will be crucial in securing a significant result against their opposition.
France is a great side and more than capable of beating New Zealand, especially in front of a passionate home crowd.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s displays against England and Ireland have been full of heart and resilience.
The All Blacks may not look like the force they once were, yet Scott Robinson’s side is still getting the job done.
Many thought they would suffer defeats in the Northern Hemisphere, but that was not the case.
Last weekend, they upset Ireland at the Aviva, winning 23-13 in a scrappy game, which demonstrated their control and calmness in tough situations.
They have won three out of their last five games, averaging 26 points per game, and they look to secure another fantastic win in Paris.
What is exciting about this New Zealand team is their ability to score in the blink of an eye, instantly turning a game on its head.
Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor will return to the fold after being forced to sit out the Dublin clash due to injuries.
However, the Kiwis will have to go without the experienced Sam Cane, who sustained a head injury against Ireland.
There is so much strength and depth in this New Zealand squad. They will again look to prove the bookmakers wrong with a win as underdogs, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the match.
The Bets
When a big clash like this occurs, some exciting betting opportunities exist to explore. The best option is for France to win.
The French have tremendous quality and confidence heading to Paris and, with the home advantage, will look to secure a solid result against New Zealand.
They also came out on top the last time they met at the 2023 World Cup opener.
However, even though France will be the favourites going into the contest, it is hard to bet against New Zealand, as they have proven over the last couple of weeks that they can edge out results against top opposition.
For those who prefer a high-risk, high-reward scenario, France winning by a margin between one and seven is a decent shout. If they win, it is likely to be a tight game, adding to the thrill of the match.
Best Bet: France to win – 8/11
Value Bet: New Zealand to win – 6/5
Longshot Bet: France to win by a margin between one and seven – 3/1
