The second of Sunday's Rugby World Cup matches comes from Pool C where France start as firm favourites to make it three wins from three outings when they clash with Tonga at the Kumamoto Stadium
Weather Forecast – Kunamoto
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
France
France are looking for a third straight win to keep them on course for the quarter finals ahead of their final pool match against England next week. They started with a crucial 23-21 victory over Argentina, holding on at the death having held a commanding 20-3 lead at one stage.
Last time out France secured a bonus point win over USA, coming out on top 33-9. They led that game 12-6 at half time and the deficit was reduced to 12-9. Les Bleus finished strongly, running in 3 of their total of 5 tries in the last 14 minutes for a victory margin that came in just short of the 27.5 points where the early handicap had been set.
France are generally a 25/1 chance to win the tournament and 7/4 to reach the semi finals.
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Tonga
Tonga have lost both their matches so far and have yet to earn a log point. They were beaten 35-3 by England in their first outing (18-3 half time), a game they had started as 40 point underdogs. In their second match Tonga went down 28-12 to Argentina. They conceded all 28 of those points in the first 27 minutes of the game before Telusa Veainu scored their first try of the tournament before half time. In the second 40 minutes Veainu crossed again but that was the only score of the half and Tonga came away empty handed.
Tonga's final pool match against the USA would seem to offer the most realistic prospect for victory although they did beat France in RWC 2011 and they have been worth supporting on the plus handicap in both their matches so far.
Line Ups
France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Sofiane Guitoune, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Gregorie Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Jefferson Poirot (c)
Replacements: tbc
Tonga: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Cooper Vuna, 13 Malietoa Hingano, 12 Siale Piutau (c), 11 David Halaifonua, 10 James Faiva, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Maama Vaipulu, 7 Zane Kapeli, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Halaleva Fifita, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
Replacements: 16 Sosefo Sakalia, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Siua Halanukonuka, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Nasi Manu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Atieli Pakalani
Head to Head
The teams have met 5 times with France winning 3 to Tonga's 2
The most recent meeting came in a November test in 2013 in Le Havre which France won 38-18
In RWC 2011 (in New Zealand) Tonga caused a surprise with 19-15 victory
In RWC 1995 in South Africa France ran out winners 38-10.
Early Betting – Handicap
France -25.5 points at 9/10
Tonga +25.5 points at 9/10
Quotes are an average of what was on offer from a selection of bookmakers at the time of writing and are subject to change.
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Betting Angle
France against Tonga
This should, in theory be one way traffic, but you just never know with this French team. They will however know that a victory here will secure their path into the last 4 and set up at table topping decider against England and while I expect Tonga to provide real resistance, I think they will be too strong and France can beat the handicap.
BET: 2 Units France (-24.5) at 9/10
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