It’s all to play for n the Rugby Championship with only one-point separating log-leaders Argentina and the last-placed All Blacks in the Rugby Championship this Saturday.
New Zealand v Argentina
Saturday 27 August
OrangeTheory Stadium
09:45
To Win Match
New Zealand 1/20 | Draw 33/1 | Argentina 8/1
Handicap
New Zealand (-21.5) 9/10 | Argentina (+21.5)
The pressure was well and truly on the All Blacks in the last round. Having come off the back of a historic 26-10 hiding against their arch foes, the Springboks, at the Mbombela Stadium only a victory at Ellis Park would keep Ian Foster at the helm. A quick 15-minute burst of clinical rugby would ensure Foster would keep his job with his charges running out 23-35 victors.
While the above win has kept Foster in his job, the critics still have their doubts about Foster continuing in his role. A couple of wins over the Argentines and Australians as well as a Rugby Championship title would go a long way in buying Foster some goodwill from the Kiwi rugby public.
Like New Zealand, Argentina bounced back from an opening round defeat in emphatic style as they hammered an injury-ravaged Australian outfit 48-17, with the bonus point victory seeing them go top of the pops headed into Round 3.
While recently installed head coach, Michael Cheika, will have been pleased with his side’s showing, he will know that the All Blacks will pose a much sterner test than a threadbare Australian side did.
Taking a look at the team news now and there’s some good and bad news for All Blacks fans with the good being Brodie Retallick’s return to fitness (although he doesn’t feature this weekend) while Patrick Tuipolutu remains out with a neck injury. Ian Foster has also opted to leave props Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tu’ungafasi with their NPC sides. On the Argentine front centre Jeronimo de la Fuente is out with a hamstring problem. He is replaced by Matias Orlando.
Verdict: New Zealand (-21.5) 9/10
Conditions look mostly dry for Saturday and this will suit the All Blacks who will be on the hunt for a bonus-point win. My money’s on them achieving this and clearing the handicap in the process.
Teams
New Zealand
Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea.
Argentina
Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo
Replacements: Santiago Socino, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Santiago Grondona, Tomas Cubeli, Tomas Albornoz, Santiago Cordero.
