By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
The All Blacks, led by Scott Robertson, are set to take on Italy in Turin under the Saturday night lights.
This match marks the end of a positive tour, during which the team secured wins over Ireland and England.
Despite a narrow defeat to France, the All Blacks are determined to bounce back with a victory against the Italian opposition.
Italy, on the other hand, are riding the momentum of their recent win against Georgia as they prepare for a tough battle.
This matchup offers several potentially lucrative betting options, adding to the excitement of the game.
Italy
The resurgence of Italian rugby is something to be admired, as the improvement over the years has been remarkable.
There is a compelling buzz around the nation as they look to build the foundations for future success.
However, their autumn campaign could have started better. Argentina defeated them heavily, yet they showed their resilience in a hard-fought victory against Georgia last Sunday.
In their previous five games, they have recorded two wins and three losses, averaging 24 points throughout those contests.
Italy will need key players such as Ross Vintcent to step up in a big way if they are to overcome the Kiwis.
Vinctent is a tremendous athlete and creates significant problems for the opposition. His primary attribute is his speed, which allows him to cover the pitch effectively and influence the game.
Of course, Paolo Garbisi will play a crucial role in deciding the contest’s outcome.
The Toulon fly-half has developed into a smooth operator in the backline and is more than capable of pulling the strings when needed.
With his powerful and dynamic running, Monty Ioane poses a dangerous threat on the wing and has a natural instinct for the try line.
While Italy boasts tremendous talent within their squad, it remains difficult to envision them causing an upset.
New Zealand
New Zealand are always a special side to watch; they are the nation most associated with rugby union.
The team is steeped in tradition, whether it is the spine-tingling Haka before the game or their expansive style of rugby.
Even though some say New Zealand are going through a transitional period, they have still managed to secure some excellent victories away from home.
France defeated them last week, so they will want to set the record straight against Italy on Saturday night.
The loss to France brought an end to their five-game winning streak. Over recent contests, they have averaged 32 points per game, demonstrating that they have not lost their attacking edge.
The likes of Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, and Codie Taylor will aim to make a significant impact on the field to ensure a dominant display from their team.
There is plenty of firepower coming off the bench, with players like Damian McKenzie and TJ Perenara looking to close out the game.
It will be Perenara’s final game for his nation. Sam Cane will also bid farewell to international rugby after the Italy showdown before moving to Japan.
The All Blacks will be eager to deliver a performance they can be proud of to round off 2024.
The Bets
It promises to be an enjoyable Saturday night game with intriguing betting options. The best bet appears to be for New Zealand to win by more than 30.5 points.
Based on recent form and the quality of players in their squad, Scott Robertson’s side should secure a comfortable victory.
There is good value in betting on the total number of points in the game being 71 or more.
If Argentina could score 50 points against Italy, New Zealand certainly could, and with Italy averaging over 21 points per game, they will likely contribute tries as well.
For those who enjoy a long shot, Italy scoring between 15.5 and 18.5 points is a viable option, as it will be interesting to see how they perform against New Zealand’s defence.
Best Bet: New Zealand to win by more than 30.5 points – 17/20
Value Bet: Total number of points in the game to be 71 or more – 11/8
Longshot Bet: Italy to score between 15.5 and 18.5 points – 7/1
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