Los Pumas will be looking to get their 2019 Rugby Championship campaign off to a flying start when they take on a weakened All Blacks side on Saturday the 20th of July.
All eyes will be on Buenos Aires this Saturday evening where a pumped up Argentina team will play host to a rather experimental All Blacks outfit which will be missing global superstars Kieran Read and Ryan Crotty.
With New Zealand’s big guns back at home preparing for next weekend’s clash against the Springboks, the hosts may well fancy causing an upset here.
Argentina v New Zealand
Saturday 20 July
Estadio Jose Amalfitani
20:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Argentina 9/2
Draw 33/1
New Zealand 1/7
Handicap
Argentina (+12.5) 9/10
New Zealand (-12.5) 9/10
Argentina
Argentina rugby is in rude health heading into the opening round of the Rugby Championship. The Jaguares’ run to the Super Rugby final was not only a massive confidence booster for the core of the Pumas squad but it also unearthed a few more young gems that could have a big impact in the coming months.
While head coach Ledesma has a host of Jaguares stars to select from this weekend, he can also call on the services of overseas veteran Nicolas Sanchez, Facundo Isa and Juan Figillo. The trio are highly talented players with Sanchez being Argentina’s all-time leading points scorer, Isa being a juggernaut of a loose-forward and Figillo a vastly experienced prop. These are the times of well-travelled players you need in a squad if you are to upset the All Blacks.
New Zealand
Sam Cane will lead a rather inexperienced All Blacks outfit into volatile Buenos Aires for what could be one of the most fascinating Southern Hemisphere derbies in recent times.
The New Zealanders have struggled to dominate the Rugby Championship in World Cup years losing both the 2011 and 2015 editions of the tournament and a loss here could well put them out of contention for the Southern Hemisphere’s premiere competition. However, this will matter little to All Black fans if their boys retain the Webb Ellis Cup in a few months time.
As in 2011 and 2015, the All Blacks will be using the Rugby Championship as an opportunity to try out some new players and combinations. We’re likely to see Crusaders’ star Sevu Reece and Highlanders pivot Josh Ioane make their All Black debuts on Saturday, while rookies Brayden Ennor and George Bridge are will also probably feature in the backline with Ryan Crotty still in New Zealand and Sonny-Bill Williams having just overcome a hamstring strain.
Verdict: Argentina (+12.5)
We may well witness rugby history in Argentina this Saturday as I really do feel the Pumas could put one over this somewhat makeshift All Blacks outfit.
I will be having two plays on this game with my biggest bet going on the plus handicap and the second and smaller, being a tiny stake on the hosts winning the game.
