Argentina will be eager to continue where they left off against Georgia
in their previous match, when they face Tonga in their Pool C clash.
POOL C – Match #27 – Argentina v Tonga | ||||
Overall Stats Argentina | vs | Overall Stats Tonga | ||
– First Encounter – |
POSSIBLE RR World Rankings outcome on Result
ARG (on 77.07 points) at a Neutral venue -vs- TGA (on 67.48 points) in a RWC match
Possible Outcome | Rating Point Exchange |
New ARG Rating |
New TGA Rating |
Will TGA overtake ARG? |
---|---|---|---|---|
If ARG win by 1-15 points | 0.082 | 77.15 | 67.40 | No |
If ARG win by more than 15 | 0.123 | 77.19 | 67.36 | No |
If result is a draw | 1.918 | 75.15 | 69.40 | No |
If TGA win by 1-15 points | 3.918 | 73.15 | 71.40 | No |
If TGA win by more than 15 | 5.877 | 71.19 | 73.36 | Yes |
Los Pumas have impressed in the tournament so far despite losing their opening match to New Zealand. Although the All Blacks ran out 26-16 winners, Argentina dominated for large periods and even led 13-12 at half-time.
After that impressive performance, against the world champions, Argentina stepped up a gear in their clash with Georgia before claiming a 54-9 victory at Kingsholm last Friday.
Argentina delivered an almost faultless second-half display in that clash, scoring 40 unanswered points after the break with wingers Santiago Cordero and Juan Imhoff leading the way with a brace of tries each.
That result was an indication of what los Pumas are capable of if they match their brilliant forward play – which they have been renowned for over the years – with an equally impressive display from their backs.
Like their opponents, Tonga are on a high despite a poor start to the competition. The Ikale Tahi suffered a 17-10 loss to Georgia in their opener before bouncing back in style with a 35-21 victory over Namibia on Tuesday.
The little rest afforded to tier two nations at this tournament has been well publicised and unfortunately that factor will again play a role in the outcome of this fixture.
Despite beating Namibia convincingly in the end, the Welwitchias‘ forwards were put in a physical effort which would have taken a heavy toll on Tonga’s pack.
Argentina’s forwards also thrive on physicality so Tonga can expect a torrid time up front, especially in the scrums where los Pumas always try to exert their dominance.
Tonga flanker Sione Kalamafoni admitted that his side face a tougher challenge than they had in their previous match against Namibia.
“Argentina will be a whole different ball game,” he said.
“Their scrum is one of the best in the world.”
The teams:
- Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Horacio Agulla.
- Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Nili Latu (c), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joseph Tuineau, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani ‘Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Soane Tonga’uiha.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Opeti Fonua, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 David Halaifonua.
- Date: Sunday, October 4
- Venue: Leicester City Stadium
- Kick-off: 14:30 local (13:30 GMT)
- Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
- Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
- TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
- Full Pool Previews – Click Individual Pool Below
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