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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Match Preview New Zealand vs Argentina 5 views
07 October 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson looks at the New Zealand vs Argentina quarter final match.
The New Zealand All Blacks are red hot favourites to beat Argentina in the Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup 2011 at Eden Park on Sunday. Despite a mounting injury toll the All Blacks have managed to cobble together a backline including fullback Mils Muliaina in his 100th test match, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith. Their backline still looks potent despite lacking injured stars like Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui and Zac Guildford.
There will be major interest in the performance of pivot Colin Slade who has been thrust into the crucial starting role vacated by the great Daniel Carter. It will be interesting to see if he kicks goals or if Piri Weepu in the unfamiliar role of starting halfback will pick up the mantle.
Captain, Richie McCaw is back from injury, but it sounds as if he will still be under a cloud for the rest of the tournament because of a foot injury. It will be interesting to see how long he lasts. The forward pack is the first choice team. Victor Vito moves to the bench as loose forward cover since Adam Thomson is injured. Aaron Cruden comes onto the bench straight away despite only being added to the squad a week ago.
Argentina will match the All Blacks up front thanks to a powerful pack lead by hooker Mario Ledesma. It is disappointing that impressive Number Eight Fernandez-Lobbe is out injured, but the Argentina team should still be competitive at set pieces.
Felipe Contepomi is the biggest name in the backline, but this backline could struggle to contain the big ball running players like Ma'a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams.
My prediction
Argentina will be up against it and you can see why they are about 15 to 1 to win this match. Argentina have never beaten the All Blacks and this should continue on Sunday. Argentina lost to England in pool play and were hardly convincing in their last two wins over Scotland and Georgia. The All Blacks have scored sixty points in each of their matches so far. Even if Colin Slade does not rise to the occasion, I think the All Blacks should still win. The forward battle will be glorious and hopefully Argentina make the All Blacks work for this victory. The massive ball carrying backs like Ma'a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams will be too tough for their Argentinian counterparts.
My pick New Zealand by 30 points and I think that this All Blacks team should be too good for Argentina who are shadow of their 2007 Rugby World Cup side.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sonny Bill Williams, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Argentina: 15 Martín Rodríguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Felipe Contepomi (capt), 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Santiago Fernández, 9 Nicolás Vergallo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Martín Scelzo, 18 Marcos Ayerza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 22 Juan Jose Imhoff.
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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