Argentina vs New Zealand Preview & Tips - Los Pumas to have another long day at the office

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 17 Sep 2021

Ralph Staniforth 17 Sep 2021

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Argentina vs New Zealand predictions for Saturday’s Rugby Championship fixture
Match is being played at 11:05 BST in Brisbane
Can Argentina get on the scoreboard against New Zealand?
Preview, tips, stats & team news

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New Zealand set for another comfortable win (Getty Images)

Argentina vs New Zealand Preview & Tips

New Zealand have thrashed Argentina in their last two meetings. To add to that, Argentina don't look the same side that featured in the Rugby Championship last year. A comfortable New Zealand win is expected.

Argentina are missing a number of crucial players to injuries.
New Zealand have covered the -25 handicap in their last 2 matches against Argentina.
New Zealand have not conceded a point in their last 2 matches against Argentina.
New Zealand have won their last 7 matches.
New Zealand have covered the -25 handicap in 5 of their last 7 matches.

Head to Head

New Zealand have won 31 of their 33 matches against Argentina. There has been one defeat and one draw.

Argentina have failed to score a point in their last two matches against the All Blacks, losing 38-0 and 39-0 last weekend.

Argentina Form

Argentina started 2021 well but their form has completely dropped off. This after they enjoyed a fantastic 2020 where they beat New Zealand for the first time, and drew twice against Australia.

Los Pumas began 2021 with a victory over Romania before beating Wales 1-0 in a two-match series. Unfortunately the Rugby Championship is where things have gone wrong.

Argentina lost 32-12 and 28-10 in their two matches against South Africa. Last week against New Zealand they suffered a 39-0 defeat which will be a major concern going forward.

Much of this can be put down to all their matches taking place away from home. They have been traveling and quarantine for a few months now.

Argentina Team News

Mario Ledesma has make six changes to his side this week and he tries to find combinations to compete with the All Blacks.

Santiago Carreras will start at flyhalf, the third different player in the last three matches. Nicolas Sanchez went off injured last week and will not feature in this match.

More injury concerns include winger Bautista Delguy and centre Jeronimo de la Fuente. Matias Orlando is also out with all three those players out of the Rugby Championship.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand are unbeaten in seven matches this year. It began with convincing victories over Tonga and Fiji (x2) before they saw off Australia in three consecutive matches.

In their Bledisloe Cup series, the All Blacks were completely dominant over the Wallabies, particularly in the final two matches where they won convincingly.

Last week New Zealand continued that form with a 39-0 thrashing of Argentina. It was a typically dominant display by the All Blacks, one they will look to back up with a very new looking side.

New Zealand Team News

Ian Foster has rung the changes this week, making 11 in total. He obviously feels New Zealand have enough in the tank to see off the Argentines.

Damian McKenzie starts at flyhalf and is partnered by TJ Perenara at scrumhalf. Aaron Smith has been ruled out of this match.

Hoskins Sotutu comes in at eight while Joe Moody starts in the front-row.

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Verdict

Argentina v New Zealand

New Zealand have won their last two matches against Los Pumas by 38 and 39 points. They didn't concede a point in either match. I am backing the All Blacks to win by more than 25 points in this encounter.