All Blacks v Ireland: Latest Odds & Analysis on Second New Zealand Test
Daire Walsh
Following two defeats in the space of just four days, Ireland will be looking to get their summer tour of New Zealand back on track at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin this Saturday and betting sites are ready for the second test to get underway.
Having suffered a 32-17 reversal to the Māori All Blacks with an experimental side in Hamilton last Wednesday, Andy Farrell was hoping his first-choice Irish selection would hit the ground running in the first of three tests against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on the weekend just past.
The Green Army had overcome the southern hemisphere giants in Dublin last November and were in line for another big day on the international stage when Keith Earls’ try edged them in front on six minutes.
However, New Zealand subsequently turned on the style and 28 consecutive points in a 17-minute spell had effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt by the interval.
Ireland did their best to stem the tide on the restart, but the hosts eventually came away with a 42-19 win.
All Blacks Even Stronger Favourites For Second Test
Despite a significant disruption that saw ex-Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt taking charge of training in the week leading up to the game – due to the main coaching staff testing positive for Covid – an impeccable record at Eden Park ensured New Zealand were still favourites on rugby betting sites going into their maiden duel with Ireland.
As a result of last Saturday’s emphatic triumph, the bookmakers are even more confident of a home success in the second test between the sides.
Whereas 1/8 were the most common odds being offered on the All Blacks for the first game, the likes of 888sport are offering 1/9 on them having the upper hand in Dunedin.
While the prospect of an Irish victory has widened for this week, it hasn’t to a significant degree.
Rated as 4/1 outsiders by most bookmakers last weekend, they are currently 9/2 with Ladbrokes to pull off an unlikely win in the second test.
New Zealand Expected To Have Points To Spare
The All Blacks finished with 23 points to spare in the first test and William Hill are offering odds off 11/2 on them once again winning by between 21 and 25 points.
They are placing the same value on an 11-15 points victory, but their odds of 9/2 on a margin of 16 to 20 points in favour of the All Blacks is perhaps the most enticing of all.
If Ireland are to earn a first-ever win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil – they defeated Italy in the Forsyth Barr Stadium at the 2011 Rugby World Cup – then it will most likely come in narrow fashion.
Betting apps are offering odds of 9/1 on the visiting nation securing a victory in the region of 1 to 5 points.
The lowest odds for an Irish triumph of 6 to 10 points is 14/1, while 33/1 is on offer for an away victory of between 11 and 15 points.
Sexton Availability A Boost For Ireland
After he was withdrawn with 31 minutes gone on the clock at Eden Park with a head injury, it was feared that team captain Jonathan Sexton would be ruled out of the trip to Dunedin.
New World Rugby protocols dictate that players must go through a minimum stand-down period of 12 days (it was previously just seven) if they have suffered a concussion, but Sexton has passed his various Head Injury Assessments and is in line to face the All Blacks for the 14th time in his professional career.
Connacht hooker Dave Heffernan wasn’t so lucky however, as he was withdrawn with a confirmed concussion just four minutes after replacing Dan Sheehan off the bench.
Ireland are at least well-served in this department with Sheehan regarded as one of his side’s best performers in the first test and Rob Herring now back in full training.
There is further good news for Farrell and his coaching team in advance of the second test as the Covid-hit duo of Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham are set to be available.
Given both men are originally from Canberra in Australia, they will have their sights set on featuring against the All Blacks.
Hansen was thrown in at the deep end during the 2022 Six Nations, but took to international rugby like a duck to water. Bealham was originally named on the Ireland bench for the first test, but his positive Covid test saw him dropping out of the match day squad to make way for Tom O’Toole.
Though he was still in isolation at the time of writing, he will be back on the training field before the second test.
Whether or not he will take part in enough sessions to keep himself in the frame for a 24th senior international cap remains to be seen.
Switches Anticipated From An Irish Perspective
Even if major surgery is unlikely, it is anticipated that Farrell will make alterations to his line-up for Saturday.
After scoring a try as captain against the Māori All Blacks, the Auckland-born Bundee Aki did likewise when appearing off the bench in the first test with New Zealand. A regular starter at times under both Joe Schmidt and Farrell, Aki is someone who could easily slot into the Irish midfield this weekend.
In spite of Sexton’s availability, there is an argument to be made for one of his back-ups at out-half to be given a chance to shine from the word go.
Given the talismanic Leinster man will be 38 at next year’s 2023 World Cup finals in France, many believe it is important that one of Joey Carbery, the fit-again Harry Byrne or the versatile Ciaran Frawley are handed a start in at least one of the tests in New Zealand.
Although Carbery showed flashes of quality as a replacement at Eden Park, he arrived onto the field in the middle of a devastating purple patch from New Zealand.
Byrne missed out on game time in the New Zealand Māori game, which will probably affect his prospects for the upcoming trip to Dunedin.
Whilst there has been an attempt to move away from the out-half being the sole creative force in the Irish team, a strong performance from the starting 10 will be pivotal if they are to upset the odds on Saturday.