Argentina vs. New Zealand: Key Talking Points For TRC Round 2 Matchup
Argentina vs. New Zealand: Key Talking Points For TRC Round 2 Matchup
The All Blacks are chasing history, while Los Pumas seek a breakthrough in Buenos Aires. Key stats, form and matchups ahead of Rugby Championship Round 2.
Uncompromising, yet imperfect, Scott Robertson’s All Blacks were a side of contradictions in their Round 1 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina.
Haring away for a comprehensive 31-10 lead, only to allow their hosts back within a score with just over 15 minutes to play.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Every Match Of The 2025 Rugby Championship
- The 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: The Full List
- Springbok Player Ratings From 38 - 22 Loss To Wallabies At Ellis Park
This swing in fortunes summed up both the All Blacks and Los Pumas in 2025. Both sides are capable of scoring and conceding in equal measures.
For Robertson, his side’s ability to regain composure and put the result to bed with two late Samisoni Taukei'aho tries was a pleasing end to a disjointed performance.
On the other side of the ledger, Felipe Contepomi’s Pumas continued their frustrating habit of allowing teams to build up a scoreline before completing a near comeback.
Putting a positive spin on Argentinean fortunes, the team's ability to cut New Zealand to shreds proves Los Pumas are capable of competing.
Leaning into arguably their biggest weakness, their ability to shift from an almost ran to world beaters and back again means anything is on the table in Round 2.
Here are three key talking points heading into the clash in Buenos Aires:
History Looms Large As New Zealand Eyes Another Fast Start
Few rivalries are as lopsided as Argentina versus New Zealand.
The All Blacks have won 36 of the 40 men’s tests between the two nations, and they’ve shown no signs of loosening their grip. Their recent record is especially imposing: 40+ points in five of their last six games against Los Pumas, including 30+ points in the first half of their last two meetings.
For Argentina, the challenge is not just physical, but psychological. The last time Los Pumas avoided defeat at home to the All Blacks was a famous 21-all draw in Buenos Aires in 1985.
Since then, the narrative has been one of New Zealand dominance, often built on blistering early surges that leave Los Pumas chasing shadows.
If Argentina is to flip the script, the team must resist those early onslaughts and turn the contest into a grind. Otherwise, history suggests New Zealand will have the game sewn up by halftime.
Argentina’s record in Buenos Aires tells a mixed story.
On the one hand, the squad has lost five of its last six tests overall, including three defeats at home. Argentina's 2025 home form is shaky, too, with just one win from four outings. Yet the last game at Estadio, José Amalfitani sparked rare celebrations — a 33-25 victory over France, the team's first home win in the capital since 2010.
That victory showed what’s possible when the Pumas harness the passion of a Buenos Aires crowd, but there’s a sobering reminder: four of their last five defeats at the venue have been to the All Blacks. It’s a trend that underlines just how difficult this assignment is.
Line-Out Supremacy And Star Power Could Decide It
Round 1 offered a glimpse of where this game might be won.
New Zealand’s set-piece dominance was glaring, with all six of its tries coming from line-out possession — the most in a single Rugby Championship match since the tournament expanded in 2012. The All Blacks' line-out efficiency has surged recently, winning 90% or more of their throws in three of their last four tests.
Argentina, however, has a trump card in skipper Julián Montoya. Against New Zealand last week, he was immaculate, completing 11 line-out throws at 100%, while also logging 11 carries and 11 tackles. Being a dual threat could tilt the balance of territory and possession.
The individual matchups across the park are equally mouthwatering.
Tomas Albornoz is in career-best form with four tries and 82 points in his last six tests, while Will Jordan and Sevu Reece remain relentless finishers for the All Blacks.
If Argentina can disrupt the New Zealand line-out and give Albornoz space to attack, they’ll believe an upset is within reach. But if the All Blacks impose their structure again, it could be another long night in Buenos Aires.
Second-Half Stamina A Question Mark For The All Blacks
For all its dominance, New Zealand hasn't had it all its own way late in games.
The All Blacks have outscored their opponents in the second half only once in their last four tests, and their away form in The Rugby Championship has shown vulnerabilities. They’ve won just two of their last four matches on the road in the competition, failing to score a second half try in two of their last three outings outside New Zealand.
Those numbers suggest that while Scott Robertson's men still pack the firepower to blow teams away early, their control and endurance in the closing stages haven’t been as consistent.
For Argentina, which often has struggled to contain New Zealand’s opening bursts, this could be an opportunity. If Los Pumas can weather the early storm and keep the scoreboard within touching distance, they may fancy their chances of capitalizing on a dip in All Blacks intensity after halftime.
The question is whether Argentina’s own fitness and discipline, areas that have let down the team in recent matches, are strong enough to exploit that potential weakness.
How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2025
In the United States, rugby fans can watch The Rugby Championship 2025 on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.