Argentina will be out to make amends for their lacklustre display in the first Test when they face England for the rematch at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario on Saturday.
Saturday 12 July
To Win
Argentina | Draw | England
Handicap
Argentina | England
As good as Steve Borthwick’s under-strength England team were at times in La Plata last week, Argentina were equally as ineffective – particularly in the first-half. Trailing 0-3 at the break, the side that were so effervescent in their dismantling of the British & Irish Lions in Dublin just a fortnight earlier was far off the pace, ultimately copping a 12-35 defeat at the hands of the Roses.
Considering where Felipe Contepomi wants to take this side, that drop off in quality, particularly at home against a depleted England, was devastating and it will take a whole lot of gumption by the players to hit back immediately. Having conceded 12-handling errors during their 80-minutes, something’s gotta give if they’re to produce a performance more befitting of their supreme talents.
One wouldn’t put it past them though considering the kinds of things we’ve seen from Pumas teams of yore; theirs is a proud bunch who’ll be itching to right some wrongs. As if they needed anymore motivation, the fact that they were held up over the England tryline as many as three times should certainly light the fire in the belly this weekend.
On the opposite end, though not perfect, Borthwick would have been very pleased with performance of his charges given the Lions-enforced absence of so many pivotal leaders. Eighthman Tom Willis was monumental, while centurion George Ford also produced some magic in his 100th Test to lift the side to a famous win. Having now poked the Argentine bear though, backing up that display will be even tougher, especially if they don’t shore up their discipline.
Verdict: Argentina on the board
Argentina to rebound strongly with victory to draw the series.
