Argentina host New Zealand in their opening Rugby Championship fixture in Cordoba on Saturday and the All Blacks start as the bookmakers favourites.
Argentina v New Zealand, Saturday 16th August, Cordoba, KO 23:10 (South African time)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA), Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Weather Forecast - Cordoba
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Argentina:
Los Pumas first action of 2025 came against the British and Irish Lions in June and they sprang something of a surprise with a 28-24 victory in Dublin.
Since then despite hosting an England side who were minus their B&I Lions players on duty in Australia they lost both matches in their July series, going down 35-12 in the first contest and 22-17 in the second. Most recently they put Uruguay away 52-17.
Argentina's 2024 Rugby Championship campaign comprised of vastly contrasting results. They started by turning the All Blacks over in New Zealand 38-30 but a round later they lost to the same opponent 42-10. They returned home to be edged out by Australia 20-19 and then hammered the Wallabies 67-27 next time out. Another home fixture saw Los Pumas edge out the Springboks 29-28 but the return with the Boks in South Africa saw them thumped 48-7.
In the November 2024 internationals in Europe Los Pumas won in Italy (50-18), lost in Ireland (22-19) and they were also beaten in France (37-23).
After this Argentina host the All Blacks again in Buenos Aires before a double header with the Wallabies in Australia. They take on the Boks in Durban in Round 5 and the second clash against South Africa will be staged at Twickenham.
New Zealand:
New Zealand completed a 3-0 clean sweep of France in a home series in July. They won the opening match 31-27 and followed up with a 43-17 victory in the second contest and 29-19 win in the third.
New Zealand's 2024 Rugby Championship campaign comprised of 3 wins and 3 defeats and they came in as distant runners up to the Springboks. They finished with back to back wins over Australia (31-28) in Sydney and finally (33-13) in Wellington and retained the Bledisloe Cup. Back to back defeats to the Boks in South Africa in Rounds 3 and 4 (27-17 and 31-27) had pretty much ended their title hopes. Their first two matches came at home to Argentina when they lost 38-30 in
Round 1 but they bounced back and in some style, running out 42-10 winners a week later.
In the November 2024 internationals in Europe the All Blacks won in England (24-22), Ireland (23-13) and Italy (29-11) but they were edged out (30-29) in France.
After next week's clash with Los Pumas in Buenos Aires New Zealand host the Springboks twice and they finish up at home and then away to Australia
Recent Head to Head
2024 RC Auckland New Zealand 42-10 Argentina
2024 RC Wellington New Zealand 30-38 Argentina
2023 RWC Paris Argentina 6-44 New Zealand (Semi Final)
2023 RC Mendoza Argentina 12-41 New Zealand
2022 RC Hamilton New Zealand 53-3 Argentina
2022 RC Christchurch New Zealand 18-25 Argentina
2021 RC Brisbane New Zealand 36-13 Argentina
2021 RC Gold Coast New Zealand 39-0 Argentina
Team News
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Joaquín Oviedo, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Pedro Delgado, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 1 Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Juan Martín González, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Justo Piccardo.
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.
The Betting
As at 16h22 on 16 August
Argentina +8.5 points at 9/10
New Zealand -8.5 points at 9/10
Total Points 53.5
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
BETTING ANGLE
I find myself leaning towards a big performance from Argentina. I am hoping the absorb the early pressure and then finish strong.
I am considering a +8.5 play and possibly an interest in a home win - bets will be posted in the blog
Likewise Currie Cup Week 4 bets will be posted on this blog.
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