RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: New Zealand in Argentina

29.09.2012
New Zealand v Argentina in La Plata (Rugby Championship)

Venue: Estadio Único Ciudad de La Plata

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
Argentina is winless in this Rugby Championship competition. That results has not been for want of trying. In fact they are well respected by the other three teams in this competition.

New Zealand will need to be at their best. Daniel Carter is back for New Zealand. His presence makes a big difference when he is on the field. I can’t see them losing but be sure Argentina will push them right to the end.

Argentina at home are more than a handful and you can expect a highly charged, passionate and emotional home crowd that will lift these Pumas.

It’ll be a cracker of a game.

Last Five Encounters
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
26.06.2004 New Zealand 41-7 in Hamilton
01.12.2001 New Zealand 24-20 in Buenos Aires

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
15.09.2012 v South Africa W 21-11 in Dunedin (Rugby Championship)08.09.2012 v Argentina W 21-5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
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

New Zealand has won it’s last 14 rugby test matches. The world record for test rugby is 18 held by Lithuania. Yes, Lithuania.

Wanna see? Lithuania’s test rugby record here at www.rugbyinternational.net

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, D1, L 3
15.09.2012 v Australia L 19-23 in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)
08.09.2012 v New Zealand L 5-21 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)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

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

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 92.43, Argentina 79.34

Prediction: New Zealand by 8 points

TEAMS

Argentina

15		Lucas González Amorosino	Montpellier, 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		Martin Landajo	Club Atletico San Isidro
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	Montpellier, France
17		Marcos Ayerza	Leicester Tigers, England
18		Tomas Vallejos Cinalli	Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
19		Thomas Leonardi	Los Pampas XV
20		Nicolás Vergallo	Stade Français, France
21		Martín Rodríguez Gurruchage	Stade Français, France
22		Juan José Imhoff	Racing Metro, 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		Daniel Carter	Canterbury
9		Aaron Smith	Manawatu
8		Kieran Read	Canterbury
7		Richard McCaw (Capt.)	Canterbury
6		Liam Messan	Waikato
5		Samuel Whitelock	Canterbury
4		Luke Romano	Canterbury
3		Owen Franks	Canterbury
2		Andrew Hore	Taranaki
1		Tony Woodcock	North Harbour
16		Kevin Mealamu	Auckland
17		Charles Faumuina	Auckland
18		Brodie Retallick	Bay of Plenty
19		Samuel Cane	Bay of Plenty
20		Piri Weepu	Auckland
21		Aaron Cruden	Manawatu
22		Benjamin Smith	Otago
		HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen