Why this weekend is the best chance Argentina will have at beating the All Blacks
It’s been 34 years since the All Blacks first faced off against the Pumas in Buenos Aires on October 26, 1985.
The All Black emerged victorious 33-20 on that day, and in 28 tests since then, the Argentines are still yet to taste victory against the Kiwis.
This weekend, though, presents arguably the best opportunity Mario Ledesma’s side has at attaining a maiden win over the reigning back-to-back world champions.
A truncated Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend with a highly-anticipated clash between the Springboks and Wallabies in Johannesburg, and following that is the 29th instalment of the growing rivalry between Argentina and New Zealand.
On the face of it, many would favour Steve Hansen’s side to come away from this weekend’s bout with at least four competition points in hand, as they have done every time they’ve encountered the South Americans, and rightly so.
There is little to suggest that the All Blacks will struggle against Argentina, with ‘foundation day’ camps being held throughout the Super Rugby campaign to keep last year’s squad members in shape and up to date with Hansen’s plans.
Furthermore, the All Blacks’ most recent showings in 2018 yielded yet another successful season, even with tight defeats at the hands of South Africa and Ireland – two sides many would normally regard as superior teams to that of Los Pumas.
Add to that another year of Super Rugby where four of New Zealand’s five franchises clinched play-off berths, and the Crusaders emerged as champions for the third time straight, and there is rather compelling evidence to indicate the All Blacks are well equipped to leave Estadio Velez Sarsfeld with another victory under their belt.
This year, however, is different.
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Murmurings continue to grow louder about the slow yet steady rise of Argentinian rugby, with a trickle of successes from the national side against the Springboks and Wallabies since their World Cup semi-final appearance in 2015 helping to enhance their credibility.
But it has been the Jaguares who have really established Argentina as a genuine threat to top tier rugby nations.
Since being admitted into Super Rugby in 2016, the Buenos Aires club have risen steadily up the end-of-season rankings, with the 13th place finish in their inaugural season turning into a 10th place finish, which turned into quarter-final exit last year, and they will go into the 2020 season as the reigning runners-up to the all-conquering Crusaders.
The evolution of the Jaguares is indicative of how their all-Argentine squad has improved and adapted to the rigours of southern hemisphere rugby over the years, and previously underrated players have developed into bona fide stars of the competition.
Pablo Matera, Emiliano Boffelli, Tomas Lavanini, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Matias Orlando, Matias Moroni and Guido Petti are all players who played integral roles in the Jagures’ breakthrough year in 2019, as they defeated three of the five Kiwi franchises and topped the South African conference, laying the foundations for a big tilt at the title next year.
That’s something that could not have been said before this year, but it is something that rings true, especially when taking into consideration the squad Hansen has taken with him to South America for Saturday’s clash.
Just three Crusaders – Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor and George Bridge – have been included in the travelling 30-man squad, making them and Highlanders trio Liam Coltman, Aaron Smith and Josh Ioane the only players within the All Blacks ranks to have defeated the Argentinians this year.
That alone should strike confidence into the Pumas as they prepare for what will be the sternest test they face ahead of this year’s World Cup, as should the inclusions of offshore-based players Nicolas Sanchez, Facundo Isa, Santiago Cordero, Ramiro Herrera and Juan Figallo.
Through that quintet, along with the impressive Jaguares players who make up the bulk of the national team squad, Argentina have a formidable look about them, perhaps the most formidable they’ve looked since joining SANZAAR at the beginning of the decade.
Their squad strength and extensive player development has been reflected in the ever-improving results they have attained year after year, culminating in a Super Rugby final appearance, and with the All Blacks undermanned without eight star Crusaders players, do not be surprised to see the Pumas pounce in a few days’ time.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
No surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
9 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
9 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to comments