Like their fellow northern hemisphere compatriots, the Scots bounced back last weekend, beating Argentina 6-29 and in the process ensured that this weekend’s Test at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades will decide who claims the series bragging rights.
Argentina v Scotland
Saturday 16 July
Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades
To Win (80 Mins)
Argentina 88/100
Draw 20/1
Scotland 1/1
Gregor Townsend’s men responded to their 26-18 opening Test defeat in emphatic style as a side devoid of the mercurial talents of Finn Russel and Stuart Hogg made short work of a vastly experienced Argentine outfit in the second Test.
The Scots were a delight to watch in attack during their 6-29 victory as they ran in four tries to Argentina’s zero.
They manipulated the ball brilliantly, stretching the Argentines across the field until space opened up or the hosts gave away a penalty.
While it was all positives for Townsend and his charges, the same cannot be said for his opposite number Michael Cheika, whose side failed to click on attack.
This is simply not good enough for the Argentines, who had a number of tried and tested combinations on the field last week. The South Americans seem to have lost that attacking verve that made them such a threat just two years ago.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s Test and if the Argentines are to win this one they will need to make more of the possession they are given. They also need their back three to spark as, while they have shown intent on the counter, they have been unable to really threaten the Scottish tryline. For the ‘Scots, if they can produce the type of rugby they did last weekend then they will be in with a massive chance of taking the spoils here.
Verdict: Scotland 1/1
Argentina looked devoid of ideas last weekend and I cannot see them changing things overnight. As such, my money is on the visitors claiming a series win here.
