vBookie Event: New Zealand v Argentina (Rugby World Cup)

**dudeabides** · 10-02-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Argentina must do something that they have never done before if they are to reach the semi-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and that is defeat the All Blacks.

The two sides have met 13 times and New Zealand have triumphed on 12 occasions, with the other game finishing in a 21-all draw. Like most nations, some of the Pumas' darkest days have come against the All Blacks, with their 93-8 humbling in Wellington in 1997 a particular lowlight. Carlos Spencer was Argentina's tormentor-in-chief that day, the mercurial fly-half scoring two of his side's 14 tries as well as contributing 23 points off the kicking tee.

Coincidentally, their only meeting in the Rugby World Cup came when the tournament was last stage in New Zealand, in 1987. The All Blacks triumphed 46-15 in Wellington, outscoring the Pumas by six tries to one.

However, the Pumas have generally put it up to the All Blacks on home soil. Indeed, in their last meeting, in Buenos Aires in 2006, the Pumas pushed their illustrious rivals all the way before eventually coming out on the wrong side of a 25-19 scoreline.

The Pumas will no doubt take heart from the fact that Dan Carter, who scored a try, two conversions and two penalties in that particular meeting, will not be around this weekend!

Argentina v New Zealand

All-time record: Played 13; Argentina won 0, New Zealand won 12, drawn 1

Biggest winning margins: Arg: N/A; NZ: 85 (93-8 Wellington, 1997)

Highest score: Arg: 21 (21-21 Buenos Aires, 1985); NZ: 93 (93-8 Wellington, 1997)

Most tries: Arg: 2 (20-24 Buenos Aires 2001, 20-33 Buenos Aires 1985, 14-28 Buenos Aires 1991, 19-67 Christchurch 2001); NZ: 2 (93-8 Wellington, 1997);

Most points (individual): Arg: 65 Hugo Porta; NZ: 103 Grant Fox

Most tries (individual): Arg: 3 Lisandro Arbizu; NZ: 8 John Kirwan

Previous World Cup meetings: One (Argentina 15-46 New Zealand, Wellington, 1987)

http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-...ry/151039.html