New Zealand v Argentina Betting Preview

Recommended bet:

Handicap – Argentina +27pts @ 10/11 (1.91) with bet365*

It’s the first time in history that Nelson will have hosted an All Blacks Test and the home support will expect nothing less than a comprehensive victory for New Zealand.

The All Blacks have started the Rugby Championship in impressive form, having recorded a 38-13 win against the Wallabies at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, followed by a 40-12 win a week later at Eden Park in Auckland, in which Fly Half Beauden Barrett went over for four tries.  

Meanwhile Argentina recovered from an opening 34-21 loss in Durban against the South Africans, by beating the Springboks 32-19 at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is preparing to shuffle his side and provide game time to those in need of it, but the hosts should still have too much for Los Pumas.  Ryan Crotty and Sam Cane are both symptom free following concussion and are likely to be considered for the game.

Ardie Savea has a good chance of starting in the No7 jersey ahead of Cane, but the Chiefs player could be given a place on the reserves bench.  Sonny Bill Williams is still a week away due to his shoulder injury and inexperienced Centre Jack Goodhue could be given a break, despite having impressed hugely in his first two test matches against the Wallabies.

Hansen could opt to start with Ngani Laumape and Crotty, but he could also decide to take a more cautious approach to the Crusader’s return and start Anton Lienert-Brown at No.13 instead.

For Los Pumas, Leicester Tigers tight-head prop Gaston Cortes has joined the squad ahead of Argentina’s two away tests against the All Blacks and Australia. 

In the corresponding fixture last season the All Blacks won 39-22, although they trailed at the interval and were 22-15 down going into the last half-hour.  Given the likely changes to the New Zealand line-up on Saturday, Argentina could again keep things fairly competitive and could be worth backing +27 points on the Handicap with bet365*

* Odds correct at the time of writing

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