New Zealand vs Fiji Predictions & Tips - Fiji backed in handicap market

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 18 Jul 2024

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Ralph Staniforth 18 Jul 2024

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Fiji to stay within 24-point handicap against New Zealand.
New Zealand recently won a series 2-0 against England but faced challenges.
Fiji's blend of Super Rugby and Top 14 players adds depth.

Expired

All Blacks to win in California (Getty Images)

New Zealand vs Fiji Predictions

Fiji are still a very exciting team to watch but contrary to previous years, they showed at the World Cup last year, that flair now has structure to match. While I don’t think they have the quality to beat the All Blacks, I am backing the Fijians to get within the 24-point handicap.

New Zealand vs Fiji Predictions
Head to Head
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Injuries & Team News
Fiji Form
Fiji Injuries & Team News

New Zealand have won their last 2 matches.
New Zealand reached the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand have won all 11 previous matches against Fiji.
Fiji won their last match against Georgia.
Fiji reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

Head to Head

New Zealand have never lost to Fiji with their last meeting taking place in 2021. That match ended with a 60-13 victory to the All Blacks.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand come into this match fresh off a 2-0 home series win over England. While they secured the series win, the All Blacks have plenty to work on with bigger challenges to come.

Against England, the All Blacks managed a 16-15 win in the first test followed by a 24-17-win last week. Both games could have gone the other way, but with a new coaching staff, things may take some time to settle down.

Over the course of the two matches, the All Blacks struggled to put the English away and didn’t enjoy the set piece dominance that they thought they may have. Fiji won’t challenge them in the same ways though, so this is a good test for the side.

New Zealand Injuries & Team News

It is a very different side for the All Blacks this weekend in California. Cortez Ratima plays just his second test at scrumhalf while Billy Proctor debuts at outside centre. There are also five debutants on the bench.

Fiji Form

Fiji have only played one game since their incredible run at the 2023 Rugby World Cup which ended at the quarter-final stage.

During that World Cup campaign, Fiji beat Australia, lost to Wales in a game they should have won and somehow conspired to lose against Portugal. However, they defeated Georgia to secure passage to the quarter-final.

Once in the last eight, Fiji lost 30-24 to England, a team they beat in the lead up to the tournament. Last week, the Fijians again beat Georgia 21-12 away from home.

Fiji Injuries & Team News

Six players from the Fijian Drua Super Rugby franchise will start on Saturday in California with others all coming from the Top 14 in France.

Verdict

New Zealand v Fiji

Fin are backed to lose by less than 24 points against the All Blacks.

Fiji +24

Handicap

@10/11 - 4 Units

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