Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the International Rugby Union match.
The third and final fixture in the series between New Zealand and France will be held in Hamilton, with both sides expected to implement significant changes. These alterations stem from a combination of tactical decisions and injury concerns.
New Zealand
Although the third match is still to come, New Zealand produced an emphatic display in the second game, overpowering France (43:17). They established a commanding 26-point advantage by the break (29:3). The opening three tries came from mauls off lineouts, while the fourth was scored by Tupou Vaa’i, who was deployed at flanker. However, he will miss the series decider after suffering a concussion. His absence is significant, particularly considering New Zealand were already without captain Scott Barrett in the previous encounter. Neither Scott Barrett nor Beauden Barrett will be involved in Hamilton, not even on the bench.
France
France are also undergoing substantial reshuffling. Compared to the previous match in Wellington, head coach Fabien Galthié has made nine changes. There’s a boost with the return of captain Gaël Fickou, who leads the current squad in caps with 95. Prop Rabah Slimani is also back in the lineup. A new half-back pairing will feature, as regular scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec partners Antoine Hastoy, who replaces Joris Segonds. This is viewed as an improvement. While Segonds made his senior debut during these summer fixtures, this will be the 12th appearance for Antoine Hastoy.
New Zealand vs France Prediction
The reshuffle made by France signals a clear determination to be more competitive and address last week’s shortcomings. In contrast, many of New Zealand’s changes are necessitated by injuries. Therefore, we expect a tighter contest than in the second match. Winning in New Zealand remains a formidable challenge, but the visitors should be capable of keeping the margin within a losing bonus point.
