Either a draw, Argentina by 2; or the ABs by 5.
Not really a prediciton of sorts, but how ever the game goes, I think it will be very close.
Absolutely. A part from their first in SA, Argentina has kept on impressing all tournament long. And just thinking they managed to have the AB's only score at the 66th min on the road, they really have what it takes to challenge NZ at home. And they've shown such heart, and at this stage of the tournament, coming out empty-handed each time from close, close games...they're hungrier than ever. They've been waiting for this, shocking the world, and what a better way to do that than against the AB's....at home.
And during the meantime, NZ is going to be NZ...
So I opt for a rather low score. Something like 18-14 for either side, smt like that...
Argentina may be able to defend against New Zealand and keep within respectable distance for the first hour.
But to beat them, they will have to actually threaten to score some tries, (especially as their kickers aren't doing great). Don't remember them threatening the All Black tryline much at all after Roncero scored in that last match.
Nailed it. You're absolutely right. That is the one weighty, *very good reason* the AB's still have a big advantage. They almost resemble the French (Arg) in that they can pull out a killer try out of nowhere (like in Australia last week)...but yes, that is the one reality that favours NZ heavily. Argentina have neither the boot, nor the consistent attack to out-score the AB's, and if they win, it would be by grinding out some low score victory to the tune of some 15-12 or smt.
But I'm not seeing a blowout from the AB's though. No 5 tries or anything like that...no 43-12.
NZ don't tend to slip up against teams like Argentina, Wales and Ireland but this is a somewhat weaker NZ side that struggled to get on top of Argentina at home until the 66th minute. I think NZ will win but if they didn't have Richie as captain driving them on I would make Los Pumas favorites.
Disagree, New Zealand's one big advantage is that their players are much better than everyone else's.
All Blacks by 15.
I was at the Argie/AB game in Wellington and there was never ever going to be a high scoring game. The conditions were atrocious and the wind was wicked with in the stadium. Argentina looked solid but against the AB's they didnt really threaten enough to be serious about knocking the AB's over. This game was more asserting their new gameplan that has obviously stepped upto a level that is defensively on par with the 3 major SH nations. Their next step would be to learn how to play an attacking game that could put the pressure on the Boks/Wallabies and AB's as the only way they will compete will be if they learn he ability to score points. At this moment in time they lack the creativity and skills sets to challenge seriously the top 3. However, with Henry assisting and a few more years in the competition the Argies will no doubt not only start beating the top 3 but will seriously challenge for the rugby championshipNZ don't tend to slip up against teams like Argentina, Wales and Ireland but this is a somewhat weaker NZ side that struggled to get on top of Argentina at home until the 66th minute. I think NZ will win but if they didn't have Richie as captain driving them on I would make Los Pumas favorites.
Yeah, this is a weak NZ side - they have only won their last 14 in a row
While it is possible that Argentina was get close, I think (assuming it is dry) the AB's will this game reasonably comfortably. The AB's haven't really been at their best throughout the Rugby Championship - if they start to click (like they did in the 3rd Ireland test for example), they could really rip a team apart. I think Argentina may be in trouble if the continue to use the narrow defensive line they have been using thus far, as it leaves a lot of space out wide. They got away with it in the first test versus the AB's due the conditions (and some rustiness among the AB's) but I feel they could struggle to defend the AB's out wide next weekend.
I will wait until the teams (and the weather conditions) are announced before I make my prediction, but at this stage I think the AB's will win rather comfortably...
You are right, this isn't the same team that won 14 in a row. They now have Richie McCaw playing on two legs rather than hobbling around the field. They now have a superb passing halfback to unleash their backline. They now have 1 (possibly 2) quality backups for Dan Carter should he get injured. They are definitely weaker in some respects as you mention (no Thorn, Kaino), but are much stronger in others, therefore I don't consider this a somewhat weaker team at all.I didn't say weak, I said somewhat weaker. It isn't the same NZ team which has won 14 in a row, they have lost Thorn and Kaino in that period and those two made a big difference in contact.
They've been defending narrow all tournament in all conditions. In theory it should pose a problem, thus far for whatever reason it hasn't.
I think NZ will win narrowly and I have to say I don't feel the conditions will be a major factor. Argentina were in the WC QF for 60 minutes in perfect conditions before a couple of late NZ tries - this time they're at home.