All Blacks stand on cusp of two numerical milestones

The All Blacks are on verge of two numerical milestones coming into their opening Rugby Championship match with Argentina.

Both mark out the sides’ dominance in the international game.

The All Blacks are on the cusp of their 450th win in international rugby, 43 more than any other team and require a tally of just 26 points to become the first nation to score 16,000 international points.

These are just two of a number of factoids released by SANZAAR heading into the game. Despite a strong season by the Jaguares, the figures don’t make for pleasant reading for Pumas fans.

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).

Argentina’s only result against New Zealand came in a 21 all draw in November 1985 at Buenos Aires; since then, they’ve lost 10 games on the bounce against the All Blacks when playing at home.

Argentina have lost their last four games played at Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, including defeats to New Zealand in their last two games at the venue; the last time they won there was in June 2010 (41 -13 v France).

Argentina have lost 10 of their last 12
games heading into this fixture, including their last five in succession; the last time they lost more games in a row was a seven game stretch from August to November in 2017.

New Zealand have won 15 of their last 17 games, including a 66 – 3 defeat of Italy in Rome in their most recent fixture, their biggest international win away from home since defeating the USA 74 – 6 in Chicago in November 2014.

Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina) made the most carries (71) of any player in The Rugby Championship 2018, six more than New Zealand’s best, Beauden Barrett (65).

Ben Smith (New Zealand) made 15 clean breaks in The Rugby Championship 2018, three more than any other player in the competition.

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.

Jordie Barrett (New Zealand) averaged 114 metres per – game in The Rugby
Championship 2018, 40 more than the next best player and his team mate Rieko Ioane (74 metres per game).