RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Huge Test for Argentina

08.09.2012
Argentina v New Zealand in Wellington (Rugby Championship)

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Preview
New Zealand will be expected to win this rugby test match and win comfortably. Even without injured Dan Carter they will be too much for Argentina to contain for eighty minutes.

Argentina will be expected to give the All Blacks a good run for their money, especially at lineout and scrum time. The Argies may also be more competitive in the loose with the inclusion of experienced Juan Manuel Leguizamon. The visitors are expected to have better guidance with Juan Martin Hernandez directing play.

It should be win number thirteen on the trot for the All Blacks.

Last Five Encounters
09.10.2011 New Zealand 33-10 in Auckland (World Cup, Quarter-final)24.06.2006 New Zealand 24-19 in Buenos Aires
26.06.2004 New Zealand 41-7 in Hamilton
01.12.2001 New Zealand 24-20 in Buenos Aires
23.06.2001 New Zealand 67-19 in Christchurch

Argentina has Never defeated New Zealand. The closest they came was a 21-21 draw back in 1985 in Buenos Aires.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
25.08.2012 v Australia W 22-0 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)18.08.2012 v Australia W 27-19 in Sydney (Bledisoe Cup; Rugby Champ.)23.06.2012 v Ireland W 60-0 in Hamilton
16.06.2012 v Ireland W 22-19 in Christchurch
09.06.2012 v Ireland W 42-10 in Auckland

New Zealand has won it’s last 12 rugby test matches.

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 2, D1, L 2
25.08.2012 v South Africa D 16-16 in Mendoza (Rugby Champ.)
18.08.2012 v South Africa L 6-27 in Capetown (Rugby Champ.)
23.06.2012 v France L 10-49 in Tucuman
16.06.2012 v France W 23-20 in Cordoba
09.06.2012 v Italy W 37-22 in San Juan

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 1st, Argentina 5th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 92.43, Argentina 79.34

Prediction: New Zealand by 21 points

TEAMS

Argentina

15		Martín Rodríguez Gurruchage	Stade Français, France
14		Gonzalo Camacho	Exeter Chiefs, England
13		Marcelo Bosch	Biarritz, France
12		Santiago Fernández	Montpellier, France
11		Horacio Agulla	Bath Rugby, England
10		Juan Martin Hernandez	Racing Metro, France
9		Nicolás Vergallo	Stade Français, France
8		Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Capt.)	Toulon, France
7		Juan Manuel Leguizamon	Lyon OU, France
6		Julio Farías Cabello	Tucuman Rugby
5		Patricio Albacete	Toulouse, France
4		Manuel Carizza	Biarritz, France
3		Juan Figallo	Montpellier, France
2		Eusebio Guinazu	Biarritz, France
1		Rodrigo Roncero	Stade Français, France
16		Augustin Creevy
17		Marcos Ayerza	Leicester Tigers, England
18		Juan Pablo Orlandi	Racing Metro, France
19		Leonardo Senatore	Los Pampas XV
20		Thomas Leonardi	Los Pampas XV
21		Martin Landajo	Club Atletico San Isidro
22		Lucas González Amorosino	Montpellier, France
		HEAD COACH: Santiago Phelan

New Zealand

15		Israel Dagg	Hawkes Bay
14		Corey Jane	Wellington
13		Conrad Smith	Wellington
12		Ma'a Nonu	Auckland
11		Julian Savea	Wellington
10		Aaron Cruden	Manawatu
9		Aaron Smith	Manawatu
8		Kieran Read	Canterbury
7		Richard McCaw (Capt.)	Canterbury
6		Victor Vito	Wellington
5		Brodie Retallick	Bay of Plenty
4		Luke Romano	Canterbury
3		Owen Franks	Canterbury
2		Keven Mealamu	Auckland
1		Tony Woodcock	North Harbour
16		Andrew Hore	Taranaki
17		Charles Faumuina *	Auckland
18		Samuel Whitelock	Canterbury
19		Victor Vito	Wellington
20		Piri Weepu	Auckland
21		Bauden Barrett	Taranaki
22		Benjamin Smith	Otago
		HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

* Test debut