New Zealand vs Italy Predictions: Rugby World Cup Betting Tips, News, Lineup
New Zealand face a potential banana skin against Italy in Pool A at the Rugby World Cup on Friday (8pm BST).
The All Blacks must win in Lyon to keep their hopes of progression alive, and it will not be easy with the Azzurri fresh from back-to-back wins.
New Zealand vs Italy Betting Tips
- Mark Telea/Will Jordan both to score @ 10/11 with William Hill
- More tips to follow
Telea and Jordan to profit for All Blacks
After their disappointing defeat to France, people have already started to write off New Zealand’s chances, which feels a little premature given the quality that they can produce on their day.
They will feel they have a point to prove against a rapidly improving Italian side, who come into this game off the back of two bonus-point wins (granted against much weaker nations in Namibia and Uruguay).
Italy were disappointing in the first half against Uruguay and they will need to step up a number of levels to trouble the All Blacks.
New Zealand should win the game fairly comfortably, though we can expect this to be an open and fast-paced game.
Therefore, it is worth backing Mark Telea and Will Jordan to trouble the Italian backline with a combined 3+ tries between them.
Tip: Mark Telea/Will Jordan both to score @ 10/11 with William Hill
New Zealand vs Italy team news
Ian Foster makes nine changes from the Namibia game with only Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett retaining their places in the starting XV. Meanwhile, captain Sam Cane returns on the bench after missing the opening two pool matches with a back injury.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ofa Tuungafasi, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Kieran Crowley makes three changes from Italy’s win over Uruguay, with Dino Lamb, Stephen Varney and Luca Morisi coming into the starting XV.
Italy: Tommaso Allan, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni, Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu.
