Each day our exclusive MATCH OF THE DAQ service previews the big match of the day – usually a televised game.

As well as the preview we also bring you the head to head records of the two teams as well as a recommended bet on BETDAQ for the match.


France v New Zealand
Rugby World Cup Final, Sunday
KO: 9.00am ITV 1

HEAD-TO-HEAD

(Max last 10 only)
24 Sep 2011 Auckland New Zealand 37-17 France          
28 Nov 2009 Marseille France 12-39 New Zealand          
20 Jun 2009 Wellington New Zealand 14-10 France          
13 Jun 2009 Dunedin New Zealand 22–27 France          
06 Oct 2007 Millennium Stadium France 20-18 New Zealand          
09 Jun 2007 Wellington New Zealand 61–10 France          
02 Jun 2007 Auckland New Zealand 42–11 France          
18 Nov 2006 Stade de France France 11–23 New Zealand   
11 Nov 2006 Lyon France 3-47 New Zealand          
27 Nov 2004 Stade de France France 6–45 New Zealand

PREVIEW

So after a month of hugely entertaining rugby we are down to two sides fighting for the Webb Ellis Cup in  a repeat of the inaugural tournament 24 years ago. In 1987 New Zealand beat France 29-9 and there’ll be many rugby fans predicting a similar outcome after Mark Liervemont’s side struggled past Wales – who were reduced to 14 men early in the first half.

Les Bleus have had a jinx over the All Blacks in the past and have beaten them twice on the biggest stage at the 1999 and 2007 World Cups. However, the All Blacks comfortably beat the French 37-17 in their most recent encounter in Pool A only a few weeks back. Although the recent meeting was a high-scoring affair, some of the recent World Cup finals have tended to be far tighter.

Rugby fans may well remember England’s 15-6 defeat to South Africa four years ago in a game dominated by the boot and with no tries.  In fact there have been ten tries scored in the six previous finals and the highest total in a game was in that 1987 finale when four tries were scored. There have been 182 points scored in the six finals to date, at an average of 30.33 points per game.

With the weight of a passionate nation and the pressure of the big finale on the Kiwis, the game should be far closer and I’m happy to back the French with +16.5 handicap at 2.02 on BETDAQ.

RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)

Back France with + 16.5 handicap at around 2.02: 4 points
Thursday’s Return: +4


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