Take a Look at New Zealand's Odds in this Year's Rugby World Cup

Within the world of gambling and online casinos, online sports betting has quickly become a popular passtime. Just last week we wrote about the current shift in sports betting in New Zealand. The Rugby World Cup is scheduled to start in September this year. The French and Kiwi teams are equally good, but for now, New Zealand has fallen behind the French team to become the second favourites in this year’s Rugby World Cup betting.

But we cannot forget how the All Blacks became the Rugby World Cup champions last summer, although Ireland was the top team that season for the first time in the history of the Green Army.

Success did not come that easily to the All Blacks, who suffered defeats in Argentina and South Africa during that season. Despite this, they became the tournament champions for the third year consecutively.

The Top Ten Favourites

France, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, England, Australia, Argentina, Scotland, and Wales are the top ten favourite teams for the betting season at top-rated betting sites like BetVictor, Bet365, BetWay Sports, and William Hill.

France has a 26.67% chance of winning and odds of 11/4 at Bet365 and the other bookies mentioned above, while NZ has a 25% chance of winning and odds of 3/1.

The odds for South Africa and Ireland at BetVictor are 5/1 and 9/2, respectively.

2023 Rugby Will Be Head Coach Ian Foster’s Last

Head coach Ian Foster is relieved about the performance of the Kiwis. He has been the head coach for the past seven years, having taken over from Steve Hansen, the former coach.

The All Blacks had to undergo a strict review after they lost to South Africa in the opening session of the Rugby Championship. Following the review, the coaches were changed, and Foster was to remain in position till this autumn.

Ian Foster will step down after this tournament, and Scott Robertson, the head coach of the Crusaders, may take over. Robertson expressed interest in the post when Hansen stepped down after the All Blacks finished third in the 2019 World Cup.

Robertson is gearing up to sign a four-year coaching contract following the end of the 2023 World Cup finals in France.

The impact of the changes in the coaching staff on the team is yet to be known. The changes may inspire the All Blacks to end the season successfully. Or they may feel demotivated by the absence of Foster from the beginning of 2024.

Betting Sites Struggle To Predict NZ Performance

Betting sites are finding it difficult to pinpoint NZ’s position because nobody has seen the team in action since Nov 19, 2022. Their game against England that day was a 25 – 25 draw, but this game came after six continuous wins.

This year, the tournament has three games, and the All Blacks are ready to begin their championship campaign with an away game with Argentina on July 8. Although short, the results of the match will be a strong indicator of how the All Blacks will perform during the Rugby World Cup Championship.

NZ May Beat France

Since France won four out of five games in the Six Nations, they came second and are the favourites to win the Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history. The French team is playing from France, and perhaps this is why bookies are offering odds of 11/4 on France in this year’s rugby betting.

On the other hand, the All Blacks are determined to become the first country to win the Rugby World Cup championship on four occasions. Bet365 gives them 3/1 odds of winning the World Cup after considering the strength of their previous performances.

Pool A Opening Game On September 8

We will know how good NZ and France are when the two teams meet for the Pool A opening game at Saint-Denis on September 8. Namibia, Uruguay, and Italy are also in the group, but the winner of the opening is bound to be the pool winner.

If both teams reach the knockout rounds, they have to play with Scotland, Ireland, or South Africa from Pool B.

Last-Eight Games to be Tough for the All Blacks

New Zealand will meet some tough teams in the Last-Eight. The Scottish team has improved and is sure to put up a good fight. The reigning champions are the Springboks, and the Irish team recently became the Six Nations Grand Slam champions. Also, they are the number one team worldwide.