Ian Foster's men are heavy favourites off the back of scoring 96 points against Italy
New Zealand ran riot in a 96-17 thrashing of Italy so are widely expected to put plenty of points on Uruguay. Here are our New Zealand v Uruguay predictions.
Ian Foster’s All Blacks know a bonus-point victory over Los Teros would all-but confirm their place in the knockouts, having lost a pool-stage game for the first time in their history. But Uruguay have shown plenty of promise in France, running the hosts close and dominating the first half against Italy before beating Namibia.
Read more: How to watch New Zealand v Uruguay wherever you are
New Zealand v Uruguay predictions
Josh Graham: NZ by 65 points. For the tournament’s credibility, we really don’t want to see a century of points racked up at any stage and I have faith that Uruguay can do better than Italy against the All Blacks. There is a slight fear that after three games where they have emptied the tank, the South Americans could have little left to muster in Lyon but it would be a shame if they cannot reproduce some of their previous form. New Zealand by a stretch but should be a watchable contest at least.
Alan Dymock: NZ by 70. New Zealand are into their stride and as entertaining as Uruguay are, they will struggle to put up the physical resistance required. Hopefully we’re wrong and it’s a much tighter contest. But the Kiwis are utterly ruthless, and it felt like they were making a point against the Italians.
Kick Off Time 8pm BST – 9pm Local –Thursday 5th October
TV Channel ITV4 (UK) – How To Watch The Rugby World Cup
Venue Olympique Lyonnais Stadium, Lyon
Capacity: 59,186
Fun Fact: A Ligue Magnus ice hockey game between Lyon and Grenoble held at the Parc Olimpique Lyonnais on 30 December 2016 holds the all-time record for an ice hockey match held in France – with 25,142 in the stadium that day.
New Zealand form
Beat Italy
Beat Namibia
Lost to France
Lost to South Africa
Beat Australia
Uruguay form
Beat Namibia
Lost to Italy
Lost to France
Beat Namibia
Beat Chile
Read more: Ian Foster style debate: “Which game would world rather watch?”
NEW ZEALAND v URUGUAY HEAD-TO-HEAD RESULTS
This is just the second time the two sides have met. The first was a week shy of exactly 47 years ago, on 12 October, 1976, when the All Blacks won 64-3 at Estadio Militar, in Montevideo.
New Zealand v Uruguay team news
Captain Cane is back to lead the All Blacks against Los Teros pic.twitter.com/ibUaN4JwmY
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) October 3, 2023
NEW ZEALAND Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga’anuku; Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard; Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Samuel Whitelock, Tupou Vaa’i; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (captain), Luke Jacobson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke
Related: All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad – Cane leads team v Uruguay
URUGUAY Rodrigo Silva; Gastón Mieres, Tomas Inciarte, Andres Vilaseca (captain), Nicolas Freitas; Felipe Etcheverry, Santiago Arata; Mateo Sanguinetti, German Kessler, Diego Arbelo; Ignacio Dotti, Manuel Leindekar; Manuel Ardao, Lucas Bianchi, Manuel Diana
Replacements: Guillermo Pujadas, Matias Benitez, Ignacio Peculo, Juan Manuel Rodríguez, Santiago Civetta, Agustin Ormaechea, Felipe Berchesi, Juan Manuel Alonso
Read more: Uruguay Rugby World Cup squad – All the Los Teros players in France
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