The All Blacks will be looking to build on the form they've shown in recent weeks against Australia when they clash with Argentina in Townsville this Sunday.
The All Blacks come into this one as hot favourites with the ‘books, which is totally understandable considering they have been cantering to wins over the Australians from the past couple of weeks while Argentina really struggled in South Africa.
New Zealand v Argentina
Sunday 12 May
Robina Stadium
09:05
To Win Match
New Zealand 1/33
Draw 35/1
Argentina 10/1
Handicap
New Zealand (-23.5) 9/10
Argentina (+23.5) 9/10
The Kiwis were in fine fettle again last weekend as they beat their trans-Tasman rivals 21-38 at the stunning Optus Stadium. The victory was made more impressive considering the All Blacks were missing a number of big names including Richie Mounga, Sevu Reece and Aaron Smith who have remained in New Zealand, and lost Jordie Barrett to a strange old red-card in the first half – a decision that New Zealand have successfully appealled. Check out the incident below if you missed it:
🟥 RED CARD! 🟥
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) September 5, 2021
Jordie Barrett has been shown the tomato for a FLYING head kick on Marika Koroibete! 🤯🏉
📺 STREAM: https://t.co/sMQGjAmnoM#9WWOS #TRC2021 #BledisloeCup #Wallabies pic.twitter.com/t6viUwOHXt
There were once again a number of kinks in the All Blacks’ amour. They conceded 20+ points two weeks running against the Aussies, while their lineout work left a lot to be desired. This is an area of the game where Argentina found some joy against the Boks so they’ll no doubt be targeting the ABs at lineout time.
Beauden Barrett’s dire goal kicking will also be a slight worry, although it’s easy enough to just let Damien McKenzie take over the place kicking duties if he starts.
While Argentina come into this one off of a poor start – they went down to South Africa by 19 and 20 points before journeying to Australia – they will take some confidence in having beaten the All Blacks 15-25 in Sydney last year. They are a vastly different side in 2021, however, with a few of their big boys injured, retired or struggling to travel.
Verdict: New Zealand (-23.5) 9/10
There’s decent weather being forecast for Sunday afternoon which should mean the Kiwis try and run it as much as possible. With the Argentines struggling on attack and their defence not looking as solid as in 2020, I am all over the minus handicap, which in fairness is a big one.
