After a slow start to the new season, Ireland should be better prepared to front up against high-flying Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. Shaun Goosen previews.
Autumn Nations Series
Ireland v Argentina
Friday 15 November, 22:10
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Following a damaging 23-13 loss against the all Blacks last week, Ireland must find a response against a red-hot Argentinian outfit at the Aviva on Friday evening. The South Americans are on a tear at the moment themselves, following up a fine Rugby Championship campaign with a 50-18 demolition of Italy in Udine.
To Win Match
Ireland 17/100 | Draw 33/1 | Argentina 42/10
Handicap
Ireland (-12.5) 9/10 | Argentina (+12.5) 9/10
Ireland were noticeably flat in their 13-23 defeat to the All Blacks last week and that passivity ultimately cost them the world number one ranking. With standards in Andy Farrell’s camp always at a premium, it surprised many to find them so far off the pace against one of their most bitter rivals, and indeed the same side that shattered their World Cup dreams just a year ago.
In the post-mortem, some have called for the integration of more youngsters into the squad at the expense of ageing stars like Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray (both 35), both of whom are regarded as past their prime. Those will certainly be decisions Farrell will need to make in the build-up to the Six Nations, but in the interim that experience will still have a role to play this month, especially against Los Pumas here.
Argentina, far too good for Italy in a 50-18 thumping in Udine last week, could feel the brunt of this hurting Irish outfit on the weekend. Felipe Contepomi has already made a big splash in charge of the South Americans, beating each of their Rugby Championship opponents in the same campaign for the first time, but more will be required from his squad this month with a trip to Paris to follow Friday’s blockbuster in Dublin.
If Argentina can cause chaos at the breakdown and set-piece, they should disrupt Ireland’s flow and blunt some of their attack, but realistically they would need an 80-minute effort on par with their victory over the All Blacks in Wellington in August to come away with a first win over the Emerald Isle since 2015.
Verdict: Argentina (+12.5) 9/10
Ireland to get over the line against a dogged Argentinian outfit.
