New Zealand v Argentina: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Rugby Championship returns for another season and reigning champions New Zealand will be hoping to get their title defence off to a winning start when they take on Argentina at the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

The All Blacks are the most successful nation in this competition and have been dominant since the tournament rebranded from the Tri-Nations in 2012, winning 10 of the 12 tournaments since - including each of the last four.

Los Pumas entered the tournament in 2012 but are yet to lift the coveted trophy - the only side yet to do so - although they did avoid the Wooden Spoon in last year’s edition of the tournament for the third time in their history.

New Zealand v Argentina betting tips and predictions

New Zealand -29.5 Handicap @ 3/1

With 20 titles since the inception of the Tri-Nations back in 1996, New Zealand are the major force in rugby union in the southern hemisphere and it is difficult to see anything but a comfortable home victory for the All Blacks on Saturday.

Scott Robertson’s side are also in strong form heading into the Rugby Championship with six wins from their last seven internationals, with their only defeat coming in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in October against South Africa - who pose the major threat to their crown in this tournament.

Argentina have largely struggled in this tournament, with just nine wins since joining the competition and their record against the All Blacks also makes for disappointing reading.

Just two wins from 37 total meetings, although both of these victories have come in the last four years.

Five of New Zealand’s last six victories over Los Pumas have come by a 30-point margin and, with a strong and experienced starting XV named for the tournament opener - including joint fifth all-time tournament try scorer Beauden Barrett - they possess more than enough quality to replicate this feat.

Jordie Barrett to score a try anytime @ 17/10

While Beauden Barrett arguably provides the most potent try scoring threat for the All Blacks on Saturday, his brother Jordie may be the better bet to get over the line in Wellington.

The 27-year-old has registered an astonishing 292 points in 57 appearances for New Zealand, scoring 22 tries for his country - including one against Argentina in each of the last two Rugby Championship tournaments.

The All Blacks have an abundance of dangerous attacking talent amongst the starting XV - as well as Rieko Ioane on the bench who is just three tries away from tying the Rugby Championship record - however Jordie Barrett looks good value to continue his scoring streak against the Pumas.

Yellow Card in the game @ 4/9

Recent meetings between these two nations have provided snippets of ill-discipline and the referee on Saturday may have to delve into his pocket for a card once more.

Each of the last four head-to-heads have seen at least one player sent to the sin bin - with New Zealand leading the way with three yellow cards to Argentina’s two - and the physicality of the match brings with it the potential for tensions to boil over.

New Zealand in particular can be guilty of letting the occasion of a major tournament get to them, with five of their seven Rugby World Cup fixtures in 2023 seeing cards shown to an All Blacks player.

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New Zealand v Argentina odds

New Zealand - 1/14
Draw - 40/1
Argentina - 7/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.