NEW ZEALAND v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

28.09.2013

Venue: Estadio Ciudad de La Plata

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
South Africa only has to drop a bonus point and New Zealand win with a bonus point and the Championship belongs to the Kiwis.

New Zealand will have to work hard to overcome Argentina at home. Argentina has proven a difficult time to win up front, their performance at home against South Africa and the Hamilton test against New Zealand proved that their scrum can dominate a game.

Graham Henry has been in an advisory capacity with Argentina. He told them if they can attack with the passion with which they defend they will be unbeatable. And this is where Argentina has been lacking. Despite an attacking player like Bosch the Argies just haven’t been able to finish off moves.

Argentina will have a huge crowd behind them. I feel that their time will come next weekend against Australia at home.New Zealand plays the game at great speed with great skill. Enough said. That’s what will tell against Argentina in the end.

Last Five Encounters
07.09.2013 New Zealand 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
29.09.2012 New Zealand 54-15 in Buenos Aires (Rugby Championship)
08.09.2012 New Zealand 21-5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 New Zealand 33-10 in Auckland (World Cup; Quarter-Final)
24.06.2006 New Zealand 24-19 in Buenos Aires

Argentina has never defeated New Zealand.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
14.09.2013 v South Africa W 29-15 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)07.09.2013 v Argentina W 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
24.08.2013 v Australia W 27-16 in Wellington
17.08.2013 v Australia W 47-29 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
22.06.2013 v France W 24-9 in New Plymouth

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
14.09.2013 v Australia L 13-14 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 v New Zealand L 13-28 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v South Africa L 17-22 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2013 v South Africa L 13-73 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)22.06.2013 v Georgia W 29-18 in San Juan

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 4th, Argentina 15th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 91.64, Argentina 76.41

Prediction: New Zealand by 20 points

TEAMS

New Zealand

15		Israel Dagg	Hawkes Bay
14		Benjamin Smith	Otago
13		Conrad Smith	Wellington
12		Ma'a Nonu	Auckland
11		Julian Savea	Wellington
10		Aaron Cruden	Manawatu
9		Aaron Smith	Manawatu
8		Kieran Read (Capt.)	Canterbury
7		Samuel Cane	Bay of Plenty
6		Liam Messam	Waikato
5		Samuel Whitelock	Canterbury
4		Brodie Retallick	Bay of Plenty
3		Owen Franks	Canterbury
2		Andrew Hore	Taranaki
1		Tony Woodcock	North Harbour
16		Keven Mealamu	Auckland
17		Wayne Crockett	Canterbury
18		Charlie Faumuina	Auckland
19		Jeremy Thrush	Wellington
20		Steven Luatua	Auckland
21		Tawera Kerr-Barlow	Waikato
22		Beauden Barrett	Taranaki
23		Charles Piutau	Auckland
		HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

Argentina

15		Juan Martín Hernández	Racing Metro 92, France
14		Lucas González Amorosino	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
13		Marcelo Bosch	Saracens, England
12		Santiago Fernández	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
11		Juan José Imhoff	Racing Metro, France
10		Nicolás Sánchez	Union Bordeaux Bègles, France
9		Martin Landajo	Club Atletico San Isidro
8		Juan Manuel Leguizamón	RC Toulonnais, France
7		Pablo Matera	Asociación Alumni
6		Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Capt.)	Sale, England
5		Patricio Albacete	Stade Toulousian, France
4		Julio Farías Cabello	London Welsh, England
3		Juan Figallo	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
2		Eusebio Guiñazú	Bath Rugby, England
1		Marcos Ayerza	Leicester Tigers
16		Agustín Creevy	Worcester Warriors, England
17		Nahuel Lobo	Newcastle Falcons, England
18		Juan Pablo Orlandi	Bath Rugby, England
19		Mariano Galarza	Leinster, Ireland
20		Benjamín Macome	Tucuman Rugby
21		Tomás Cubelli	Belgrano Athletic
22		Felipe Contepomi	Stade Français, France
23		Horacio Agulla	Bath Rugby, England
		HEAD COACH: Santiago Phelan