A huge day in the context of a place in the next round of the Rugby World Cup takes place on Friday, as New Zealand and Italy collide in Lyon. Both sides remain in the hunt for the second qualifying spot in the group, and a victory for either could determine the nation that will be playing in the next round.
You can find the latest Rugby World Cup betting odds and our New Zealand vs Italy betting analysis here.
New Zealand vs. Italy Information
New Zealand vs Italy
Location of the Game: Groupama Stadium. Lyon, France.
Date and Time: Friday, September 29. 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: Peacock
Recent Scores
The New Zealand vs Italy betting analysis shows that this will be the 16th clash between the two nations. The All Blacks hold the dominant advantage in previous encounters, as they have won all 15 previous clashes. Four of the previous matches have been played in neutral stadiums, with New Zealand scoring 278 points and Italy scoring just 45.
New Zealand vs. Italy Betting Analysis
New Zealand Preview
The pressure will be on the All Blacks this week as they look to enhance their chances of reaching the knockout stage. New Zealand have never previously been eliminated at the opening stage of a Rugby World Cup, but a wide-scoring victory will be required on Friday to ensure that their destiny is in their own hands.
The All Blacks have recovered since losing their opening match against France, as they were dominant 71-3 winners against Namibia on September 15.
New Zealand remains among the most popular Rugby World Cup picks to win the competition after landing victories in two of the previous three editions, but only a victory on Friday will keep their hopes alive of a fourth World Cup honor.
Italy Preview
There is little doubt that Italy are becoming more competitive at the top end of rugby union, but this will be a perfect measuring stick to examine how far they still have to go. Italy currently sit in the desired place of second in the Pool A standings, but the upcoming clashes against the All Blacks and France will determine where they finish in the standings.
The Italians have won each of their opening two matches against Uruguay and Namibia, scoring an impressive 90 points and allowing just 25. But, they have failed to make it out of the last five World Cups at this stage, despite winning two of their matches.
Italy have recorded just 25 wins against Tier 1 opponents, but two of those wins have come in the last 18 months, with the most recent coming in the form of a shock 28-27 success against Australia in November 2022.
Updates
Brodie Retallick has recovered from injury for the All Blacks, but Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax remain out. Tommaso Menoncello is the big absence for Italy ahead of this showdown.
New Zealand vs. Italy Betting Preview
The New Zealand vs Italy betting analysis shows the All Blacks as commanding -10000 favorites on the moneyline. A victory for the Italians is the outside selection at +1600, while the draw is also a lucrative price at +5000.
New Zealand vs. Italy Betting Prediction
Despite the strides made by Italy, it remains incredibly hard to see the European nation causing a shock result based on the Rugby World Cup stats.
New Zealand have lost just once in the pool stage at the Rugby World Cup, and they sport a perfect record against Italy. Therefore, it could be worth taking New Zealand on the spread this weekend.
- Pick: New Zealand (-26) (-110)
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