All Blacks Will Win, Say Well-Known Kiwis

The French have arrived in Wellington with a good recent test record against the All Blacks having won two of the last three clashes.

But a selection of well-known New Zealanders thinks they’ll be no match for the All Blacks when the two teams meet at WestpacTrust Stadium on Saturday night.

The TAB asked for a Pick The Score prediction from a handful of famous Kiwis. Here’s what they had to say.

Prime Minister Helen Clark

“Recent matches between the two countries have been tense, hard fought and, dare I say it, heart-breaking affairs. They’ve also been notable for the high quality of the rugby, and I hope we see a similarly exhilarating match this Saturday. 33-27 to the All Blacks.”

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard

“Intense first ten minutes but the All Blacks will get on top and stay there. All Blacks to win 35-17.”

TV and radio personality Kerre Woodham

“I remember seeing the French play Waikato about 20 years ago - I don’t remember who won though because Graham Thorne appeared on the terraces sporting his new permed hair and the spectacle of the game paled before the extraordinary sight of Thorny’s new do. When it comes to the up-coming test, well, contrary to their reputation, the French are never easy. However, the All Blacks’ combination of rugby intelligence, commitment and courage should see the visitors done like a dog’s dinner. The All Blacks to win: 44-23.”

Nathan Sanders, the Wellingtonian who won $67,000 by picking the French to beat the All Blacks by exactly 12 points in the 1999 World Cup semi-final.

“I couldn’t go past the All Blacks this time but I might put a shy dollar on France by 12 again. If you want to have the most fun, my advice is to take the highest odds, but only bet what you can afford to lose. All Blacks 34 France 16.”

TAB Sports Betting manager Neil Sorensen

“This is such a hard result to determine because of the unpredictability of the French. I think the combination of the tough test matches and arduous travel will count against the Frenchmen in the last quarter and I’m picking an All Black win by 43-18.”

Meanwhile, pick the winner of the All Blacks French game and win a few dollars - pick the score and win thousands.

Neil Sorensen is encouraging people to try a Pick The Score bet this weekend. He says because Pick The Score is a tote product, a minimum bet of $1 could lead to a return of thousands if you pick the right score.

To help people with their picks, it may pay to keep these statistics in mind:

STATISTICS FOR THE LAST 10 ALL BLACK/FRANCE GAMES (DATING FROM 1990)

- Both teams have won five and lost five.

- All Blacks mean winning margin is 7.9 points.

- The All Blacks have scored 353 at 35.3 points per game.

- France has scored 243 at 24.3 points per game.

- Points differential average is 16.9 points (take out the 54-7 hammering in Wellington in 1999 turns the average to 13.5 points.

ALL TIME STATISTICS

- The All Blacks and French have played 36 times, with 26 wins to the All Blacks, 10 to the French.

- Average All Black score in all tests vs. France: 21 (758 points / 36 tests)

- Biggest winning All Black score against France: 54-7 (26 Jun 1999)

- Biggest winning France score against All Blacks: 22-8 (26 Jun 1994)

- Average score All Blacks in home tests vs. France: 19 (330 / 17 tests)

- Average score All Blacks in away tests vs. France: 20 (366 / 18 tests)

- Average score France in all tests vs. All Blacks: 13 (470 / 36 tests)

- Average score France in home tests vs. All Blacks: 12 (224 / 18 tests)

- Average score France in away tests vs. All Blacks: 12 (203 / 17 tests)

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