Stats & Facts: Argentina vs New Zealand
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Stats & Facts: Argentina vs New Zealand
Jose Amalfitani Stadium will open its gates to Argentina vs All Blacks on Saturday for the first round the of Rugby Championship, and we take a look at some key stats and facts ahead of the match.
1. This will be the 33rd meeting between Argentina and New Zealand, with the Pumas still on the hunt for their maiden victory against the All Blacks (D1, L31)
2. Argentina’s only result against New Zealand came in a 21-all draw in November 1985 at Buenos Aires.
3. Since then, they've lost 10 games on the bounce against the All Blacks when playing at home.
4. New Zealand requires a tally of just 26 points to become the first nation to score16,000 international points.
5. New Zealand have won 15 of their last 17 games, including a 66-3 defeat of Italy in Rome in their most recent fixture.
6. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina) made the most carries (71) of any player in The RugbyChampionship 2018, six more than New Zealand’s best, Beauden Barrett (65).
7. Ben Smith (New Zealand) made 15 clean breaks in The Rugby Championship 2018, three more than any other player in the competition.
8. Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina) scored the most points (67) of any player in The Rugby Championship 2018, those points coming from four tries, 16/17 conversions, 4/7 penalty goals, and a drop goal.
9. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand) averaged 114 metres per-game in The Rugby Championship 2018, 40 more than the next best player and his teammate Rieko Ioane(74 metres per-game)
10. Sevu Reece will become All Black number 1182 when he takes the field on Saturday.
11. Sam Cane will be captaining the All Blacks for the third time.
12. The All Blacks and Argentina have played each other 28 times since 1976 with the All Blacks winning 27 times and a 21-all draw in Buenos Aires in 1985.
13. The All Blacks won The Rugby Championship in 2012 - 2014 and again in 2016 - 2018 (as well as a Rugby Championship "Grand Slam" in 2012 - 2013 and 2016-2017).
14. The All Blacks' matchday 23 sees a blend of experience and youth with five uncapped All Blacks named: winger Sevu Reece will make his Test debut on the right-wing, while the uncapped Atu Moli and new All Blacks Luke Jacobson, Josh Ioane and Braydon Ennor are all named on the bench.
15. Argentina have lost 10 of their last 12games heading into this fixture, including their last five in succession.
16. The last time they lost more games in a row was a seven-game stretch from August to November in 2017.
17. Argentina have contested seven Rugby Championships, finishing last six times.
18. They avoided the wooden spoon in 2015 when the Springboks had that unwanted honour, losing all three tests in an abbreviated tournament.
Last 5 meetings
2018 New Zealand 35-17 Argentina Buenos Aires
2018 New Zealand 46-24 Argentina Nelson
2017 New Zealand 36-10 Argentina Buenos Aires
2017 New Zealand 39-22 Argentina New Plymouth
2016 New Zealand 36-17 Argentina Buenos Aires
