Ex Planet Rugby
It will by no means be a stroll to 2012's Rugby Championship trophy for the All Blacks when they take on the Pumas at Estadio Único Ciudad de La Plata.
Granted they are hot favourites to wrap up the title a week ahead of schedule. But as we saw in the reverse, Los Pumas can cause them problems.
What adds further fuel to that outlook - something that's already been highlighted by our prediction man - is that All Blacks coach Steve Hansen criticised Argentina this week for their thwarting tactics against them. What a fillip that is for the hosts, knowing they have him openly worried.
So don't expect them to stray from that style this Saturday, with a forward battle set to be played out while Juan Martin Hernandez and Dan Carter collide. Carter, alongside Aaron Smith, will be looking to impose a quick tempo on proceedings while El Mago and Martin Landajo go for territory. Despite the fact Smith has now paid his dues for breaking a curfew, one feels that going for Piri Weepu over the quicker Smith would have played into Puma hands. Therefore, expect more threats in the backs than previous visitors to Argentina, South Africa, who this week face Australia.
Yes, I hold my hands up to going for Argentina to prevail by two points against the Wallabies on the Gold Coast, but hopefully their performance has created a few more believers. (Wonder if Pierre spies, who made the same 2 point win prediction, read ths article)
A boost to their cause is the return of Marcos Ayerza to bench duty, which arguably frees up Rodrigo Roncero to put in another of those 50 minute barnstormers. Ayerza was absent last time out and it came as a double blow in some respects as Roncero played for longer, subsequently thinning out his impact. Such is the boost that we are going for the veteran's battle with Owen Franks as our head-to-head, with both props having solid tournaments.
Ayerza is joined on the bench by Tomas Vallejos in the only changes made by head coach Santiago Phelan for their penultimate outing before they watch the Jaguars (second XV) in their upcoming Americas Rugby Championship, which takes place in Canada. That will be where the Pumas will hope to build up a squad depth for future campaigns that look exceedingly bright following what has been an impressive debut term with the big boys.
Of course there's a long journey ahead until they can be challenging year-in-year-out with the probable champs. But now that they have the sure footing of the Rugby Championship to begin their ascent up the standings, those Hansen headaches are expected to become a regular occurrence. Hansen won't need the Nurofen just yet though, as it is a measure of these special All Blacks that their 14-game unbeaten run has an air of dissatisfaction.
A title with a round to spare might help with that.
So some are now predicting an Argentian win. saSUE says abs by 30. Seems a tad optimistic?
