France v New Zealand Prediction, Preview & Odds – Rugby World Cup

We have a France v New Zealand prediction along with the betting odds for you as we preview the 2023 Rugby World Cup Opener on Friday Night.

France v New Zealand Match Info

When? 8.15 pm, Friday, September 8^th

Where? Stade de France, Paris, France

TV Channel? RTÉ 2, ITV 1

France v New Zealand Betting Odds

Our odds makers make France very marginal favourites for Friday’s Rugby World Cup opener at 5/6 in the betting.

Meanwhile you can back 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winners New Zealand 11/10. A draw in this opening game looks an attractive price at 20/1.

Handicap Betting

The handicap for this match is France -1 @ Evens. New Zealand +1 is also Evens while the handicap draw (France winning the game by exactly one point) is 18/1.

France v New Zealand Preview

France’s Form

France are the hosts of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and come into the competition in strong form as evidenced by their ranking as the 3rd best team in the world.

French Rugby while often having potentially unbelievable sides with some of the most talented players in the game, the team has regularly suffered from implosions and not having the right man to lead them to World Cup success.

They may have found their man now though, Fabien Galthié has been in charge since 2019, with his highlight being the Six Nations victory and Grand Slam win in 2022. Galthie’s win rate as French Head Coach of 80% (32 wins from 40 matches) is by far the best in the country’s history.

Coming into this tournament France have seven wins from nine matches. The first of those two defeats came against Ireland 32-19 in the Six Nations back in March of this year.

France have played four World Cup warm-up matches in preparation for this tournament. They lost the first of those 25-21 to Scotland but then avenged that defeat in the return game 30-27. In the following two games, normal service was resumed with a 34-17 win against Fiji and a 41-17 victory against Australia which should see them come into this tournament high in confidence.

France’s Rugby World Cup Pedigree

Despite France being considered one of the powerhouses of International Rugby, they have never won the Rugby World Cup which might come as a surprise to many. Their best finish in the tournament is as Runners-Up which they’ve achieved in 1987, 1999 and most recently in 2011.

France’s most recent appearance at the Rugby World Cup came in 2019 when they were dumped out at the quarter-final stage by Wales. The French led by nine points at one stage in the second half of that game but an early red card in that second period consigned them to another Rugby World Cup without a trophy.

We previewed France’s odds and chances in this Rugby World Cup in a recent post which can be found here.

Welcome To The BoyleSports Blog & News Site

Let’s reward you with some Free Bets!

Sign up to BoyleSports in Ireland & GET €40 FREE BETS WHEN YOU BET €10! T&Cs apply

Sign up to BoyleSports in the UK & GET £20 FREE BETS WHEN YOU BET £10! T&Cs apply

New Zealand’s Form

World Number 4 New Zealand are making their tenth appearance at a Rugby World Cup and come into this competition with a mixed run of form.

Head Coach Ian Foster has been in charge since 2020 and has come under increased pressure for his job throughout his tenure. Foster’s current win rate of 69% one of the worst of any All-Black coach in history. Not since Laurie Mains’s 1992-1995 record of 67.6% has there been a worse record.

The New Zealand Rugby Union have decided to back him for this tournament which will be his last time managing the team before being replaced by Scott Robertson after this autumn’s World Cup.

New Zealand started their Rugby World Cup preparation with great success by winning the Rugby Championship back in July following a 41-12 victory over Argentina, a 35-20 win over South Africa and a convincing 38-7 win against Australia.

Since then however, the Kiwis have been less than impressive in their World Cup warm-up matches. They narrowly beat Australia 23-20 before being dominated by South Africa in a 7-35 defeat in Twickenham.

New Zealand’s World Cup Pedigree

The Kiwis have won the Rugby World Cup a record 3 times. Those victories came in 1987, 2011 and 2015.

At the most recent Rugby World Cup in 2019 they finished in third place following a semi-final elimination at the hands of England before beating Wales 40-17 in the bronze medal game.

Our preview of New Zealand’s odds and chances in this Rugby World Cup can be found here.

Team News

France Team

🇫🇷🇳🇿 𝐎𝐍 𝐘 𝐄𝐒𝐓 🔥

Voici votre #XVdeFrance pour le match d'ouverture de la #RWC2023 face à la Nouvelle-Zélande 🤩#UnisPourUnRêve #FRAvNZL pic.twitter.com/EhVrA2srkp

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 6, 2023

New Zealand Team

Squad locked in 🔒#FRAvNZL #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/fD8kU8j65x

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 6, 2023

Key Players To Watch

Thomas Ramos

Thomas Ramos is the favourite to be the Top Points Scorer at the tournament at 9/4. He will start the game at Full-Back against New Zealand and while he is likely to stay there he could be moved to the Fly-Half position if needed.

Ramos will be on kicking duty for France in what looks to be an extremely tight match-up. Furthermore, he has become a try threat for his nation in 2023 with with 3 of his 4 International tries coming in 2023.

If his kicking proves to be the difference maker he could prove value at 16/1 to be named Man of the Match, especially if he can get himself a try.

𝐕𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐒, 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐒! 🧨@FranceRugby fullback Thomas Ramos with a speedy intercept try in Paris. #FRAvSCO pic.twitter.com/LkOuDAL9PS

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 26, 2023

Will Jordan

Howlett, Savea, Lomu and many, many more are considered the greatest New Zealand try-scorers ever. But speedster Will Jordan (25) is quickly putting himself in similar conversations amongst the rugby faithful since making his debut for the Kiwis in 2020.

Jordan has scored 115 points in 25 games since making his debut for the All Blacks and he is one the widely fancied names to challenge for Top-Tournament Try-Scorer in France. If he were to rack up a try or two in this game then he could prove value at 20/1 for the Man of the Match award.

Never in doubt in the hands of Will Jordan 🙌#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/DjzWvFUvoo

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 2, 2023

France v New Zealand Previous Results

2021: France won 40-25 in Paris

2018: New Zealand won 49-14 in Dunedin

2018: New Zealand won 26-13 in Wellington

2018: New Zealand won 52-11 in Auckland

2017: New Zealand won 18-38 in Paris

2016: New Zealand won 19-24 in Paris

2015: New Zealand won 62-13 in Wales

2013: New Zealand won 19-26 in Paris

France v New Zealand Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: France 22-28 New Zealand

You couldn’t ask for a better game to start the Rugby World Cup. The two favourites for the competition going head-to-head with hosts France coming up against the iconic All Blacks.

The winner of this one should ultimately decide who tops the group. This could also be a preview of what is to come as many are touting both teams to return to the Stade de France for a Rugby World Cup Final date!

Home status means France will be marginal favourites for this one but I think people are underestimating New Zealand so they are my pick for this opening game.

Best Bet: New Zealand to Win Both Halves @ 3/1

Click Below For All Our New Zealand v France Betting Odds

*Prices Subject To Fluctuation

Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide.