New Zealand Rugby World Cup 2019 betting preview

New Zealand head into the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as the two-time defending champions and it would be a major surprise if the All Blacks do not make the final at least.

The Kiwis have been dominant, or even more dominant than previously anyway, for the past two World Cups and everywhere in between.

Of course they are the undisputed No.1 team in the game they play in heaven, and have overall winning records against every rival team.

But just in the past year a few of the slightest cracks have appeared, with teams such as Ireland and South Africa in particular troubling the Kiwi juggernaut.

We will get a great measure of their form in Japan early on as they are drawn alongside possibly their great threat in this tournament, the Springboks, in Group B. Their match at International Stadium Yokohama on September 21 should be one for the ages and could even be a preview of the final at the same venue on November 2.

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Where New Zealand will finish in the 2019 Rugby World Cup

WGL prediction: Top four. If missing out on making the final would be considered a disaster in New Zealand, not reaching the semi-finals would be unthinkable. Of course, anything can happen in a one-off quarter-final, but the All Blacks should reach the semis without any great problem.

Previous best World Cup result: Champions 1987, 2011, 2015.

New Zealand’s remaining pre-World Cup fixtures

September 7: New Zealand v Tonga, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup draw

Match 4: New Zealand v South Africa, Saturday, Sep 21, Pool B, International Stadium Yokohama
Match 20: New Zealand v Canada, Wednesday, Oct 2, Pool B, Oita Stadium
Match 27: New Zealand v Namibia, Sunday, Oct 6, Pool B, Tokyo Stadium
Match 34: New Zealand v Italy, Saturday, Oct 12, Pool B, City of Toyota Stadium

New Zealand’s most recent results

July 20: New Zealand 20 d Argentina 16, Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
July 27: New Zealand 16 drew with South Africa 16, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
August 10: Australia 47 d New Zealand 26, Optus Stadium,Perth
August 17: New Zealand 36 d Australia 0, Eden Park, Auckland

New Zealand’s record against Pool B rivals

South Africa: Played 97: won 58, lost 36, drawn 3. Points for: 2011, Points against: 1548
Italy: Played 14: won 14, lost 0. Points for: 820, Points against: 131
Canada: Played 5: won 5, lost 0. Points for: 313, Points against: 54
Namibia: Played 1: won 1, lost 0. Points for: 58, Points against: 14

New Zealand squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Coach: Steve Hansen

Forwards: Hookers: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor. Props: Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi; Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock; Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Matt Todd.

Backs: Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber; First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga; Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams;
Utility backs: Jordie Barrett; Outside backs: George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith.

Leading try-scorer prediction for New Zealand

Rieko Ioane: The try-scoring whiz is the outright betting favourite to be the leading try-scorer for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The winger will be right at home, too, having lived in Japan as a child as his father Eddie played professional rugby there. We have tipped Ben Smith to contend for the leading overall try-scorer in our preview of that market, but of course team selection will be crucial and Hansen may opt for the younger talent than Smith.

New Zealand predictions – will it be an All Blacks trifecta?

The All Blacks have lost three and drawn one of their past 12 Test. The losses came against Australia, Ireland and South Africa. For any other team that sort of record is seen as phenomenally successful. For the All Blacks it could be concerning, but nonetheless, they are clearly the team to beat. Steve Hansen will retire after this World Cup and whatever the result he has presided over the greatest period of domination in rugby history. There’s no doubt he will want go out on a high. They will take some stopping.

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