Rugby World Cup 2023: What predictions for New Zealand?

New Zealand Bid to Win A Fourth Rugby World Cup

In Rugby World Cup history, only two countries have won the William Webb Ellis Trophy three times. South Africa are one of those dominant teams but it's the All-Blacks who have all also won three Rugby World Cups. Two of those were won in the southern hemisphere with the other being held in England. Can New Zealand win a record fourth title and only their second in the Northern Hemisphere?

The All-Blacks won the first ever Rugby World Cup held in 1987. They had to wait 24 years for their second triumph and then retained the trophy in 2015. The last tournament was held four years ago and New Zealand lost in the semi-finals to England. They come into this 2023 Rugby World Cup in top form and are the favorites to again become world champions. Throughout the tournament we will be previewing every single match, so keep on checking our Rugby World Cup Predictions page.

All-Blacks Out to Maintain Unbeaten Run

New Zealand are in top form as they prepare for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. They recently won the Rugby Championship with three wins over Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Dominant form was shown in those three matches with the games won by an aggregate total of 75 points including a 38-7 thrashing of Australia and beating current world champions 35-20. If they can continue that kind of form in France then another world title could well be theirs.

Since that Rugby Championship triumph, they have again beaten Australia, this time by 23 points to 20. 10 of their last 11 internationals have been won, the other a 25-25 draw with England in November 2022. They haven't lost since being surprisingly beaten by Argentina in August of last year.

They have a squad that is full of experience. Seven of their players have been in at least 75 internationals. That figure will rise to eight if Ardie Savea plays one more game for his country. Four squad members have reached three figures, topped by Sam Whitelock who has played 145 times for his country.

New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A of this 2023 Rugby World Cup. They will be playing the hosts France, Italy, Namibia and Uruguay. The top two in the pool qualify for the quarter finals and it would be the biggest shock in rugby history if the All-Blacks didn't qualify. The pool winners will face the runners-up in Pool B in the last eight. For the runners-up in Pool A, it's a match against the winners of Pool B. Barring incredible shocks, the potential opponents in the last eight are South Africa, Ireland and Scotland. 

2023 Rugby World Cup - New Zealand's Fixtures

New Zealand have every reason to be confident of qualifying from Pool A. However, the big question is whether they will do so as winners or runners-up. Their first match of the tournament is likely to give us the answer to that question as they take on hosts France. What a match that promises to be!!  Here are the Pool A fixtures for New Zealand:

• France v New Zealand - September 8th - 20:15 - Stade de France, Saint- Denis
• New Zealand v Namibia - September 15th - 20:00 - Stade de Toulouse
• New Zealand v Italy - September 29th - 20:00 - Parc Olympique Lyonnais
• New Zealand v Uruguay - October 5th - 20:00 - Parc Olympique Lyonnais

If you want to follow all the live action go to our Sportytrader Livescore Page.

What Bets to Make for New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

There are plenty of betting markets available for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Firstly, let us look at the odds to win the tournament. The All-Blacks are the current favorites and can be backed at 3.5 if going to bet365. We believe those are good odds considering the form that New Zealand has shown in the past year. However, it might be an idea to place your bet before their opening match against France. 

New Zealand are 1.83 at William Hill to win that match and although it may well be close, we believe they will win that match. If that is the case, the odds on them going onto win the trophy will shorten, so place your outright win bet before this match.

The All-Blacks are 1.9 at Vbet to win Pool A. With the other three nations in the pool being Italy, Namibia and Uruguay, it is clear that Pool A will be won by either New Zealand or France. Bet on the Pool winner before those two countries meet because a New Zealand win will see their odds become extremely short.

For the other pool matches, betting on an outright win for New Zealand will be undesirable because of extremely short odds. It'll be time to place handicap bets but look at the line-up New Zealand field before placing your bet. Lots of changes will be made, especially for the matches against Namibia and Uruguay.

One bet that interests us is who will be the two countries who contest the final? It's 3.5 at bet365 that we end as we began with New Zealand taking on France again. William Hill have odds of 8.00 on it being a New Zealand v South Africa final.

A bet on Will Jordan to be the top tryscorer looks one well worth making. Betfair will give you odds of 8.5 on him achieving that feat. Plenty of tries should be scored against Italy, Namibia and Uruguay. The only concern is if New Zealand were to rest him for one or more of those games. 

All the 2023 Rugby World Cup prices will be seen on this dedicated odds page.