New Zealand Opens 2023 Rugby World Cup As Betting Favorite
After a disappointing showing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand returns to the world stage with high expectations in France. Currently, the All Blacks are favored to hoist the Rugby World Cup trophy. New Zealand has +275 odds to win the title, while France has the second-shortest odds at +300.
That said, there has yet to be a clear consensus on who the favorite is for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. France and New Zealand have traded the top spot at online betting sites since the betting markets opened. If you search around, there are some online bookmakers that have France as the favorite.
However, at Bovada, and most online sportsbooks, New Zealand is slightly favored to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup. New Zealand is looking for their fourth Rugby World Cup in France this year. The All Blacks reigned supreme at the Rugby World Cup in 1987, 2011, and 2015.
Four years ago, at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand failed to reach the final match. They were left shocked after a losing effort against England in the semifinals. It was the last Rugby World Cup for All Blacks captain Kieran Read.
Earlier this year, Read was critical of how current All Blacks’ head coach Ian Foster’s impending departure was handled. In April, it was officially revealed that following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Scott Robertson will be the new bench boss for the All Blacks. Read believed that the governing body should have kept things private.
“The whole thing hasn’t been handled well. With New Zealand Rugby, really all the stuff should be handled behind closed doors,”said Read to The Breakdown before the press release. “It shouldn’t be aired. Both coaches (Foster and Robertson), or everyone that’s come out talking, it shouldn’t be happening.”
The concern for the All Blacks is that the coaching drama could have served as a distraction over the last year. Read added that it shouldn’t be a distraction in the short-to-medium term.
However, if a former All Blacks player of Read’s caliber is not content, it raises some questions about how the current squad is feeling about the situation. The optimistic New Zealand fan might look at this as a motivator to send Foster off into the sunset with a World Cup crown.
Springboks Trounce All Blacks In Record Win
If New Zealand’s performance against South Africa two weeks ago is any indication, they are not mentally prepared for the challenge ahead in France. The defending Rugby World Cup champions jumped all over the All Blacks for a 35-7 win at Twickenham.
A record victory at Twickenham 💚💛#StrongerTogether#RSAvNZL#Springbokspic.twitter.com/UQuuu9RTqu
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 25, 2023
It was the largest loss ever for New Zealand rugby in its storied century-old history. Since 1905, New Zealand has never lost by more than 21 points. In 1999 and 2019, the All Blacks suffered losses by 21 points, but never 28.
The power and aggressive strategy from South Africa was too much for New Zealand to contain. The All Blacks’ Scott Barrett was sent off the pitch with two yellow cards in a frustrating display.
Currently, South Africa ranks as one of the favorites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup. At +325 odds, the Springboks are the third favorite, according to Bovada. After South Africa, Ireland’s +450 odds are the fourth-highest, and then the Rugby World Cup odds trail off to England at +1100.
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New Zealand will not have a warm-up match to open the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In what is a tough draw, New Zealand and France are in the same group and will face each other in the Rugby World Cup opener.
On Friday, France and New Zealand kick off the group stage with an elite match on center stage at Stade de France. We do not have to wait long for an intriguing showdown at this World Cup. The other clubs in Pool A include Italy, Namibia, and Uruguay.
France and New Zealand will finish atop the group with relative ease. Namibia and Uruguay have the longest 2023 Rugby World Cup odds, at +25000. Meanwhile, Italy has +5000 odds to win it all.
With this in mind, there isn’t a threat to France and New Zealand. However, which club is going to finish first atop the group? If the All Blacks were healthier, perhaps fans would have more confidence in their chances on Friday.
Barrett is scheduled to receive the green light for the All Blacks. The versatile utility back is a major asset for this New Zealand club, but is tending to a knee injury. According to Foster, the 26-year-old should be available next week.
🇳🇿 No Jordie Barrett for All Blacks as Anton Lienert-Brown starts against France. #RWC2023#FRAvNZLpic.twitter.com/UpMDdRxZ6m
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 6, 2023
“It’s more of a jarring-type injury than anything else in that knee. It’s a precautionary thing in some ways, but we’d like to think that he’ll be back and available next week.”
Barrett is not the only injury concern for the All Blacks. A prop, 27-year-old Tyrel Lomax, is not trending to play against France. He suffered a huge cut on his leg from an errant kick during the 35-7 loss to the Springboks.
The injury, which required 30 stitches, reportedly went down to the muscle, according to Foster. The All Blacks head coach regards Lomax’s injury as the worst on the team. However, that excludes 24-year-old Emoni Narawa, who has been ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a back ailment.
As a result of the injuries, Foster is making four changes to their starting lineup for Friday’s World Cup opening match. Currently, France is a small favorite over the All Blacks. At Bovada, France has -109 odds to beat New Zealand in front of a raucous home crowd.
