France and New Zealand meet in Hamilton on Saturday 19 July for the 3rd and final test. The All Blacks have won the series and we preview the match and track the betting, team news and weather.
BETTING UPDATE AND SELECTION
Posted 18 July 21h35
The handicap has been stable at New Zealand -17.5 for the last couple of days and the points line is 57.5.
I don't have a firm view on the handicap but given the changes to the New Zealand team in particular I am thinking we might get a scrappy game.
The points line is 57.5 and with the forecast suggesting rain is possible and humidity in the late 80's I am going to back the unders.
BET: 4 units under 57.5 points at 9/10 at Hollywoodbets
Line Ups
Posted 07:30 17th July
Updated 18 July 21h28
For the 2nd successive week the All Blacks have been forced into a late change with wing Rieko Ioane withdrawing due to injury and Will Jordan will start at 14 with Reece moving to 11.
New Zealand team (revised) : 15-Ruben Love, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 12-Quinn Tupaea, 11-Sevu Reece, 10-Damian McKenzie, 9-Cortez Ratima, 8-Luke Jacobson, 7-Ardie Savea (Captain), 6-Samipeni Finau, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu (Vice-Captain), 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1-Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16-Brodie McAlister, 17-George Bower, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Dalton Papali’i, 20-Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21-Noah Hotham, 22-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23-Jordie Barrett
France: 15 Léo Barré, 14 Posolo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortère, 12 Gaël Fickou (c), 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Antoine Guillards, 7 Joshua Brennan, 6 Baptiste Fischer, 5 Soane Halagahu, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Erdocio
Replacements: 16 Gaëtan Barlot, 17 Quentin Mallez, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandre Tixeront, 21 Jordan Bochaton, 22 Louis Le Brun, 23 Emilien Gailleton
BETTING UPDATE - Money for the French
Posted 16 July 10h56
I have seen a number of punters on the +21.5 with France expected to go quite strong for this one.
The line has moved to -20.5 and I suspect will come in another point or 2.
New Zealand v France – 3rd Test Preview
Posted 13 July 20h41
Date: Saturday, 19 July 2025
Kick-off: 09:05 SAST
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Weather: Cold conditions expected with temperatures around 10°C. Humidity will be high (late 80s), and while rain is forecast earlier in the day, it is likely to clear by kickoff - forecast source at TimeandDate and a reminder that forecasts are not always accurate espeially a week out.
New Zealand and France meet for the final time in their three-Test series, with the All Blacks having already wrapped up the series 2–0. With the pressure off, the hosts will look to complete a clean sweep, while France aim to avoid a whitewash.
The opening Test in Dunedin saw New Zealand grind out a 31–27 win in a competitive match, where they largely dominated but had to hold on for the win. However, the second Test in Wellington was far more one-sided, as the All Blacks overwhelmed France 43–17 in a dominant display across the park.
The third Test in Hamilton offers the All Blacks a final tune-up and a chance to experiment slightly ahead of the Rugby Championship, while France who controversially left most of their 1st choice XV at home will need to find discipline and accuracy if they hope to compete for the win.
Betting at 13 July 20h41
New Zealand -21.5 v France
All prices subject to change and this preview will be updated during the week.
