Friday's Rugby World Cup action comes from Pool A where New Zealand clash with Namibia in Toulouse and not surprisingly the pre-match handicap is a big number
New Zealand v Namibia, Friday 15th September, Toulouse, KO 21:00 (South African time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Weather Forecast - Toulouse
New Zealand:
The All Blacks came up against tournament hosts France in the opening match of the tournament in Paris on Friday. It was near enough a “choice” game with the bookmakers but despite taking the lead early in each half New Zealand were eventually worn down and they finished beaten 27-13.
That was the first ever RWC pool stage defeat for the All Blacks who started the game with a try inside 2 minutes from Telea. They trailed 9-8 at the break but a second try for Telea just after half time put them back in front at 13-9 but they failed to add to their tally.
Skipper Scott Barrett was ruled out of the opening match along with Jordie Barrett, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax, watch the media for news of when they are likely to be available in the remaining pool games.
New Zealand had also lost their final warm up match, 35-7 to South Africa at Twickenham and that result, coupled with the defeat to the hosts has seen them drift in the outright betting to win the tournament. They are now trading at around 4/1 to claim a fourth RWC title with Betway and around 16/1 to finish top of Pool A which is now at the mercy of France.
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Namibia:
Namibia began their campaign against Italy in Saint-Etienne on Saturday and they were thrashed 52-8, a margin of defeat which was greater than the pre-match handicap which settled at around 33.5 points. Namibia only trailed 17-8 at half time with Gerswin Mouton scoring their first half try but they went on to concede 7 tries in total.
Namibia have yet to win an RWC pool stage match from a total of 23 attempts. In 2019 they lost to Italy 47-22, to South Africa 57-3 and New Zealand 71-9 before a realistic opportunity for that first win in a scheduled clash with Canada was cancelled.
As far as the RWC outright betting is concerned Namibia are currently 7/20 with Betway to finish bottom of Pool A.
Team News
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Tupou Vaa’i, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Rieko Ioane
Namibia: 15-Cliven Loubser, 14-Gerswin Mouton, 13-Johan Deysel (capt.), 12-Le Roux Malan, 11-Divan Rossouw, 10-Tiaan Swanepoel, 9-Damian Stevens, 8-Richard Hardwick, 7-Prince Gaoseb, 6-Wian Conradie, 5-Tjiuee Uanivi, 4-Johan Retief, 3-Aranos Coetzee, 2-Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1-Jason Benade.
Replacements: 16-Louis van der Westhuizen, 17-Desiderius Sethie, 18-Haitembu Shikufa, 19-Pieter-Jan van Lil, 20-Adriaan Booysen, 21-Max Katjijeko, 22-Jacques Theron, 23-JC Greyling
The Betting
08h00 15 September
New Zealand -69.5 at 9/10
Namibia +69.5 at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Finding an angle on these high handicap games can be tough. The handicap opened -67.5 and has gradually edged out and now ranges from -69.5 to -71.5.
Namibia were well beaten in the end by Italy despite showing some early fight and they now face a New Zealand side loaded with attacking weapons and most of them fresh having not played last week.
I think this one is going to get ugly for Namibia.
BET: 4 units New Zealand -69.5 at 9/10 at WSB
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any more bets
I am a big fan of All Black number 9 Cameron Roigard and I will take an interest in the livewire scrummy grabbing the 1st try.
BET: 0.5 unit Roigard 1st try at 10/1 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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