Argentina vs Samoa Predictions: Rugby World Cup Betting Tips, News, Lineups
The ferocity of this match is going to very intense and both Argentina and Samoa really need a victory if they have aspirations of reaching the knockout stage of the Rugby World Cup.
Argentina have had a really long time to dwell on their defeat to England on the first weekend, and hopefully they will feel inspired to produce a better performance here. Samoa produced a good performance against Chile to win by over 30 points and they will be ready for the challenge here.
Argentina vs Samoa Betting Tips
- Samoa +16 Handicap @ 8/11 with BoyleSports
- Duncan Paia’aua to score first try @ 28/1 with Bet365
- Pablo Matera to score try anytime @ 4/1 with BetUK
Samoa to reduce gap between nations
These two proud rugby playing nations are actually right next door to each other in the World Rugby rankings in 10th and 11th. However, prices suggest that Argentina should be strong favourites for this match.
If the South Americans play similarly to how they did against England though, Samoa will fancy their chances of an upset.
Until recent improvements in the Argentina set-up and the consistency that participation in the Rugby Championship has helped to establish, Samoa held the upper hand in their matches. The head-to-head reads 2-1 to Samoa with two wins for the Pacific Islanders in the early 1990s, but Argentina proving too strong in the 1999 World Cup, the nations haven’t clashed in 24 years.
Recent results suggest that Argentina need to improve whilst Samoa are in decent form, the handicap seems a bit big for Argentina to cover.
Tip: Samoa +16 Handicap @ 8/11 with BoyleSports
Paia’aua to give Samoa quick start
Duncan Paia’aua endured a difficult start to senior international rugby, receiving a red card against Georgia in only his second cap, while scoring just one try in his first four Tests.
But the Toulon man has bounced back impressively. He heads into this game as the only player to play every minute for Tonga this year across all five Tests.
And the former Australia Under-20s international, who switched to his parents’ nation of birth, has scored a try in each of his last three matches, including one in the opening win against Chile.
Therefore, you would expect him to enter this game fully confident of building on his momentum by crossing once more for his nation.
Tip: Duncan Paia’aua to score first try @ 28/1 with Bet365
Pumas to benefit from Matera experience
Argentina were very poor against England and cannot really afford another loss here, with their World Cup campaign certainly hanging in the balance.
One of the rare positives from the opening game was the performance of veteran Matera, who must use every ounce of his experience to inspire the Pumas here.
No player has started more Tests for Argentina than Matera, with 91 of his 96 caps coming from the beginning. He carried his country’s biggest threat against England, beating five defenders and gaining 44 metres while registering the joint-most carries with 11.
His knowhow will be crucial in a match where only a win will suffice for his country.
Tip: Pablo Matera to score try anytime @ 4/1 with BetUK
Argentina vs Samoa team news
Argentina have made three changes from the England defeat with Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti and Matias Moroni coming into the starting XV.
Argentina XV: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti Pagadizabal, Matias Alemanno, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez.
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Mayco Vivas, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Pedro Rubiolo, Rodrigo Bruni, Tomas Cubelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Lucio Cinti.
Samoa also make three alterations from their opener. Paul Alo-Emile, Brian Alainu’u’ese and Ben Lam are named from the start.
Samoa XV: Duncan Paia’aua, Nigel Ah-Wong, Ulupano Junior Seuteni, Tumua Manu, Ben Lam, Christian Leali’ifano, Jonathan Taumateine; James Lay, Seilala Lam, Paul Alo-Emile, Brian Alainu’u’ese, Chris Vui, Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua.
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Charlie Faumuina, Michael Alaalatoa, Taleni Junior Agaese Seu, Sa Jordan Taufua, Melani Matavao, Alai D’Angelo Leuila, Danny Toala.
