The 2024 Rugby Championship: New Zealand Vs Argentina (Game 2) Betting Tips

New Zealand Vs Argentina Predictions:

• New Zealand -14.5 Points - 1.9 With RTBet
• First Half To Be The Highest Scoring Half - 1.87 With BetVictor
• Caleb Clarke To Score A Try - 2.15 With Luckster Sport

Argentina’s second win from their last three trips to New Zealand rocked the rugby world last weekend as they added another scalp to a growing list and moved the Pumas to sixth in the world rankings, moving them above Scotland. 

All Blacks boss Scott Robertson, yet to endear himself to many harsh critics in New Zealand rugby despite reportedly winning the players over with his management style, swung the axe in response by changing three of the backs for this weekend's revenge match in Auckland.

The curse of Sky Stadium in Wellington, which now spans five matches without victory (one draw, four defeats), will loom large upon their next game there in September against Australia.

However, it’s miniscule in comparison with their unbeaten streak at Auckland’s Eden Park, which has seen the All Blacks go 50 games without defeat across three decades against all opponents.

The best betting apps for rugby have had no choice but to adjust their markets to limit the damage should the Pumas prevail again, which could open up a bit of value for punters who anticipate an All Blacks bounce-back.

Another All Blacks Aberration Unlikely

It’s not often the All Blacks string together successive poor performances, especially at home where they face intense media and public scrutiny following a sub-par effort and/or result.

That’s how they managed to cover the pre-match spread in the majority of their games last year despite losing three times.

Looking at their 2023 performances, the All Blacks avenged a shock 25-18 loss to Argentina in Christchurch by putting 53 points on the Pumas in Hamilton the following weekend.

We’re expecting they’ll have a similar hunger to put the visitors back in their place, and having had the week to study an unchanged Argentina back half, if they can plug their defensive deficiencies they should be encouraged by scoring three tries last weekend.

Robertson has an immensely successful background as a franchise coach and knows a thing or two about immediately getting over a bad week, and we’ve got faith that his side will have the focus and motivation needed to get their Rugby Championship campaign back on track. 

Best Bet: New Zealand -14.5 Points - 1.9 With RTBet

There’s A Trend Emerging Amongst Both Teams

The All Blacks allowed Argentina to run over the top of them after half-time last weekend, and we’re not anticipating that to happen again, which further strengthens our belief that the first half will feature the most points.

That was the case in each of New Zealand’s three games against England and Fiji, with New Zealand routinely doing the bulk of their scoring, and their conceding, before the interval.

Five of Argentina’s last six games, including the first Test against New Zealand, also saw the majority of points scored prior to the half-time break, with the teams combining for 21 first-half tries this calendar year and 16 in the second half. 

It’s a decent sample size, and considering you can get the same odds for each half at BetVictor, we’re happy to try our luck with it.

Best Bet: First Half To Be The Highest Scoring Half - 1.87 With BetVictor

Can Anyone Stop Caleb Clarke Crossing The Whitewash?

Whilst all the attention has been on his team-mates Will Jordan and Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke continues to rack up tries wherever he goes.

He found the line in four of his last five games of the Super Rugby season for the Blues, including a mesmerising hat-trick in the final against the Chiefs, and followed it up with his first international try of the year against Fiji in San Diego.

He goes into this game with an excellent strike rate of seven tries from 21 games for the All Blacks.

With that excellent recent form, Clarke has the opportunity to establish himself as Robertson’s first option going forward. 

New Zealand betting sites have odds of 2.15 for the All Blacks winger to register a try on his return to the side.

That is certainly hard to ignore considering the eight he has racked up in his last eight hours of rugby for club or country. 

Best Bet: Caleb Clarke To Score A Try - 2.15 With Luckster Sport