New Zealand vs Ireland
New Zealand welcomes Ireland to the Forsyth Barr Stadium for the second test of the three match series. The hosts comfortably won 42-19 in the first test although the scoreline flattered the home team. New Zealand were under pressure coming into the first test as they had lost three of their previous five tests against Ireland. The important factor in all three losses was that those matches were all played away from home. The All Blacks were severely tested in the first match but relied on their brilliant defence to keep the Irish attack at bay.
TIP: The turning point of the match was when Irish talisman and Captain Johnny Sexton had to leave the field with a head injury. New Zealand are unbeaten in their last eight home matches and have never lost a home test match against Ireland. They will be keen to keep that record intact come the final hooter in this match. Ireland will be boosted by the news that Captain Jonny Sexton has been declared fit for this match. The bookies have the All Blacks as favourites for match and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.14, Playabets 1.16 and Sunbet 1.16
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
New Zealand vs Ireland
- The last six matches between the sides has seen each team win three matches.
- Ireland have never beaten New Zealand at home.
Latest results for both teams
New Zealand beat Ireland 42-19 in the last match.
PREDICTION
The visitors are a totally different team when he is on the field and they will need him for the full 80 mins if they are to have any chance of beating the home team. Ireland have not made a good start to their tour as they were comprehensively beaten by both the NZ Maori team and the All Blacks senior team. They dominated ball possession in the first test but had massive difficulty crossing the New Zealand tryline. Ireland will also need to cut out their handling errors as there is no better team in world rugby at scoring from turnover ball than the All Blacks. I am predicting an All Blacks win by 6 points
- Probable Starting XVs
New Zealand
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Ireland
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the New Zealand victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.14
Playabets 1.16
Sunbet 1.16
Odds comparison on the Ireland handicap :
The complete odds on the Ireland handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+13.5) 1.91
Sunbet (+13.5) 1.89
Playabets (+13.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
Ireland will fancy their chances of a win in this match as Sexton is fit and New Zealand have lost their most influential forward Sam Whitelock who had to withdraw from this match due to concussion issues. The visitors will come out firing looking to square the series but if the home team can weather the early storm then they could wrap up the series win. We are backing New Zealand to lead at halftime and win this match. There are poor odds on the outright NZ win therefore I suggest Ireland on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+13.5) 1.91, Sunbet (+13.5) 1.89 and Playabets (+13.5) 1.81
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
