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It was ugly, but the All Blacks continued their undefeated run in the Rugby Championship with a plucky 36-10 win over a spirited Argentinian side.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Argentina 10
All Blacks 36
Winless Argentina play host to the undefeated All Blacks when first plays fourth in another instalment of the Rugby Championship series. Join The Roar for a live blog from 9:40am AEDT.
On paper, this match seems a mere formality. Indeed, if you flicked open your Sportsbet app, you could make a cool six cents for your $10 stake on the powerhouse Kiwi side.
Agustin Creevy and his Pumas have been full of heart this Rugby Championship, but as of yet have come up short in each game. They showed immense promise last week against the Wallabies, and had the All Blacks on toast for 60 minutes a month ago.
That means little, however, in the scheme of the overall standings, and Steve Hansen has duly experimented quite heavily with the match day 23 that will run out in front of a raucous Argentinian crowd.
Waisake Naholo, Damian Mckenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown all return, with David Havili to debut off the bench. Their outside backs are electric, and with the ever-reliable Beauden Barrett controlling things at flyhalf, it could be a long evening for the men in blue.
For Argentina, they will be boosted no end by the returns of Tomas Lavanini and Juan Manuel Leguizamon who should provide some much-needed grunt up front.
Their set piece is always strong, and can use their power at scrum time to try and gain a foothold in the early stages of this match.
Where the game will be won
The Kiwi outside backs versus the Argentine forwards. That may seem oxymoronic, but there’s reason behind it.
If the Argentine set piece can stand up and perform for 80 minutes, the All Blacks will not be able to access the quick, front foot ball that makes their outside backs so dangerous.
However, if the Pumas forwards don’t show up, it will be a cricket score.
Prediction
The Pumas are a gutsy outfit and grow another leg at home. Buenos Aires will be rocking, and the Kiwis will have to play smart football early to take the sting out of the home crowd.
It will be an arm wrestle, but the Kiwis will stay undefeated in this Rugby Championship.
All Blacks by 19
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 9:40am AEDT.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.