Wales vs Argentina
The first match ended in a draw but Argentina will be the team that will be more confident going into this match. They had a player sent off early in the match and still managed a draw. Wales have responded to this by making multiple changes with the biggest change being in the halfbacks. When Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams came on as substitutes in the last match the attack looked great and Williams in particular was excellent scoring a try. The Wales pack was more dominant overall although the Argentinian had the brilliance of Pablo Matera. He showed why he is regarded as one the best flankers in the world. Wales were unlucky to lose Aaron Wainwright early on as he started the match like a house on fire. The South Americans so famous for their strong scrum struggled in this department and the Welsh team will again look to hurt them in the scrums. As is so often the case with Argentina it’s their discipline that was again an issue as they received a red and a yellow card. They did however show slickness in attack even with 14 men and replacement centre Santiago Chocobares was brilliant when he came on. His has since been elevated to the starting XV. The halfback battle for me will decide this contest as Argentina have the experienced pair of Nicolás Sánchez and Tomás Cubelli up against the quite inexperienced pair of Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams. The Welsh pair is certainly the more attacking threat but they will need to manage the game with the boot. Sanchez is a past matter at being the general and all his teams plays originate with him. If Wales they can deny him good ball then they will win this match
TIP: Both these teams gained good ground with their rolling mauls and I’m sure we can expect plenty of this again. Coach Pavic loves the ball in hand approach and he certainly has the players to execute this plan. They will need to be accurate as the Argentina team is lethal of turnover ball. They have forwards that have exceptional ball handling skills and it’s a pleasure watching the interplay between backs and forwards. The Welsh wingers will need to be alert as the visitors are great at attacking on the wings. There is so much class in the Argentina team that the Welsh will need to be at their best to win this contest. The man that I expect to have a barnstorming game is centre Jonathan Davies. Being left out of the Lions tour he will want to prove that he still has the class he is so renowned for. The bookies have the Welsh as slight favourites and I’m tipping them to win a tight contest. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.80, Playabets 1.80 and Sunbet 1.90
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Wales vs Argentina
- In the last five matches between these sides there have been four Welsh wins and a draw.
- Argentina has only ever beaten Wales once in their history.
- Wales only lost to Argentina once back in 2012.
Latest results for both teams
These sides drew 20-20 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Argentine’s have arguably the best loose trio in world rugby led by the outstanding Matera. In the last match they dominated the close quarters and this gave them great go forward ball. The Welsh have brought in centre Nick Tompkins and he was their best ball carrier in this year’s Six Nations. The Saracens centre will look to have another big game to secure his place in the team even when the missing Lions return. Jarrod Evans brings a different sort of game than Callum Sheedy and we can expect a more direct Wales team with less kicking. Hallam Amos showed us in the last match that he is almost unbeatable in the air and the visitors will do well to stop kicking aerial balls to him. The battle in the midfield will be fierce and the Argentinians have shown that all their players including the backs are great over the ball. The home ground with a crowd will swing this close match Wales way and I predict a Welsh victory by 8 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Wales
15 Hallam Amos, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Jonathan Davies (c), 11 Tom Rogers, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 James Botham, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Ben Carter, 3 Leon Brown, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Gareth Thomas
Argentina
15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Santiago Chocobares, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Matías Moroni, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Rodrigo Bruni; 7 Facundo Isa, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Marcos Kremer, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Wales victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.80
Playabets 1.80
Sunbet 1.90
Odds comparison on the Wales handicap victory:
The complete odds on the Wales handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-1.5) 1.90
Playabets (-0.5) 1.82
Sunbet (-1.5) 1.89
Predictions and Odds in details
The Wales team brought their best available team and almost pulled off the win against the 14 man Argentina. They did not take advantage of the one man extra as they played into the opposition’s hands. They will need to play smarter rugby and look to attack on the wide channels where they have great finishers. The scrum battle will once again play a pivotal role and this is where I feel the Welsh have the advantage. They must use the scrum penalties and kick for the corner. Their driving maul will carry them to victory. The Welsh are a proud team and although missing a few first team regulars will be keen to keep their impressive record against the visitors intact. The bookies are offering good odds on the Welsh win but punters can make a little extra by taking the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-1.5)1.90, Playabets (-0.5) 1.82 and Sunbet (-1.5) 1.89
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
