Alamy Stock Photo
2023 Rugby World Cup
Semi-finals
Argentina v New Zealand
Stade de France
Paris, France
Friday, 20 October 2023
Kick-off is at 21h00
New Zealand will be wary of underestimating Argentina when they clash in the semi-finals of the
2023 World Cup at the Stade de France on Friday, October 20.
The All Blacks were given a massive wake-up call when they lost 27–13 against hosts France in the tournament opener before going on to score the most tries (38) in the group stages.
Ian Foster's side did just enough to beat Ireland 28–24 in the quarter-finals on October 14 as they managed to stay ahead from the eighth minute when Richard Mo'unga converted a penalty.
The former three-time world champions comfortably saw off the Pumas in their two most recent Tests, but their two losses against their southern hemisphere rivals came in the last three years.
The South Americans recorded a famous 25-15 victory in Brisbane on 14 November 2020 and won 25-18 in Christchurch on 27 August 2022, both times in the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand forwards coach James Ryan admits last year's loss to Argentina is playing on their minds, but insists they'll be ready for anything that gets thrown at them in Paris.
"It has [come into our thinking)," Ryan said. "You've got to be honest around that. We are a different team, and they are a different team [to then], but we learnt a lot that game.
"They had league coach David Kidwell and put a lot into their D (defence) to slow our ball down. We'll readdress that and not assume anything."
A to-and-fro match at the Stade de Marseille on October 14 saw the Pumas triumph 29-17 against Wales in their quarter-final.
Emiliano Boffelli missed just once from the tee as his 16 points helped Michael Cheika's across the line to take them through to the semi-finals for the third time.
Cheika feels many of his players have learned from their first World Cup experience and he intends to give the All Blacks a run for their money.
Alamy Stock Photo
"We are happy, but that is not the final step, we want to go further. We won't be favourites, but we'll do our best," said the Australian, who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 final against their arch-rivals.
"We knew the first game would be a bit rough for us. We learned a lot because there were a lot of first-time World Cuppers in there. They learned a lot from that game in terms of handling what is knockout footy in what wasn't knockout footy - every game since has been knockout.
"Even in that game against England, we showed a lot of fight, but we didn't handle the occasion well. We still gave it plenty. We have to remember in that game it was nine kicks, we didn't give up a try."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 36
Argentina - 2
New Zealand - 33
Draws - 1
Back the Boks risk-free
Claim the offer and place a R25 or more outright bet on South Africa to win the Cup by 28 October and get it risk-free up to R1,000.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.