New Zealand take on Argentina in Christchurch in the Rugby Championship on Saturday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
The All Blacks are once again favourites to win the Rugby Championship and they are currently priced at 3/10 with Argentina on offer at 30/1, the Springboks are 33/10 and Australia 9/1 heading into the weekend’s fixtures.
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The All Blacks looked to be in desperate trouble when they lost 26-10 to the Springboks in Nelspruit and the knives were out for Coach Foster and Captain Cane. They started brilliantly against the Springboks a week later at Ellis Park though and despite letting their opponents grab the lead in the last 20 minutes they finished strong to win by 12 points, 35-23. The result saw Foster get a vote of confidence and confirmation and that he would see this team through to the World Cup next year.
Prior to the trip to South Africa the All Blacks had hosted Ireland at home winning the 1st Test before losing the 2nd and 3rd for a rare series loss.
The All Blacks have opted for continuity and have picked the same side that beat South Africa at Emirates Airline Park.
NEW ZEALAND TEAM
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 Quinn Tupaea
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Argentina were disappointed to lose their 1st Rugby Championship test against Australia because they dominated for most of the match before conceding a host of tries in the last 20 minutes going down 41-26. Argentina bounced back strongly though with a 48-17 thumping of the Wallabies the next weekend, a result which sees them top the table although they still remain the rank outsiders with the bookmakers.
New Zealand won both tests against Argentina last season winning by 23 points in Brisbane and by 39 points at The Gold Coast.
ARGENTINA TEAM
15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Lucio Cinti, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez Samso, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Santiago Cordero
BETTING – Click here to bet
New Zealand 1/25
Draw 60/1
Argentina 16/1
Handicap: New Zealand -21.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Argentina +21.5 at 9/10
The Argentina side will be buzzing with confidence after their win over the Aussies and although the All Blacks will feel they have turned a corner, Argentina look well capable of keeping this tight.
If you are looking for a more speculative play how about the Half-time/Full-time market where Argentina to lead at the break only for New Zealand to come back and win is priced at 11/2
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
