All Blacks v Los Pumas - Top 10 Facts

This weekend the All Blacks host Argentina in Nelson for the very first time. Can Los Pumas break their 26 game duck and get that illusive first win over the world champions? Let’s take a look at the key stats.

1. New Zealand remain undefeated against Argentina in Test rugby, having earned 27 wins and a draw from their previous 28 meetings.
2. New Zealand have won their previous 14 games in their home nation against Argentina; however, the Pumas held a 16-15 lead in their last game against the All Blacks in New Zealand, the first time they had ever done so.
3. This will be the first Test played at Trafalgar Park in Nelson since the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and just the fourth Test ever – the previous three games were decided by an average margin of 33 points, none of which involved Argentina or the All Blacks.
4. New Zealand have won each of their last seven games in New Zealand, including their last five by an average margin of 35 points per game.
5. Argentina will be looking to win back-to-back games in The Rugby Championship for the first time in what is their seventh campaign in the competition, after notching a 32-19 victory over South Africa in Round 2.
6. Argentina have won just one of their last 10 Tests played away from home, picking up a 31-15 win over Italy in Florence in November 2017.
7. New Zealand have averaged 740 metres gained per game this tournament, more than any other team – their 808m gained against Australia in Round 2 was the most of any Tier 1 nation in 2018.
8. Argentina have scored five first-half tries this tournament, two more than any other team in the competition; however, New Zealand (1) have conceded fewer tries in this period than any team and scored the most in the second 40 minutes (9).
9. Beauden Barrett has been directly involved in 13 tries in his last six Tests on home turf for New Zealand (8 tries, 5 try assists), and already leads The Rugby Championship in 2018 for tries scored (5).
10. Only Australia’s David Pocock (35) has made more tackles in The Rugby Championship in 2018 than Argentinian duo Marcos Kremer (33) and Agustin Creevy (28, Kieran Read also 28).

Thanks to Opta for providing the statistics.

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