The Rugby World Cup semi-finals kick off tonight when Argentina face New Zealand.
The All Blacks have reached this stage in all-but one of every World Cup ever held and, despite not being considered among the top two or three countries heading into this tournament, have found themselves strongly tipped to reach the final after downing Ireland.
While New Zealand’s quarter-final went down as an instant classic, Argentina’s win over Wales was more a fascinating case of the pendulum swinging one way and then the other, as the Pumas fought back from a tough start to qualify with two late tries.
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In only their third World Cup semi-final, Michael Cheika’s side are more than happy to embrace their unfancied tagline by already claiming the powers that be are against them by holding up their plans to travel to Paris.
All the pressure will be on Ian Foster’s All Blacks to make the most of the excellent win over Ireland in pursuit of a fourth global crown.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Argentina vs New Zealand takes place today on Friday October 20, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The Stade de France in Paris will host the match.
Where to watch Argentina vs New Zealand
TV channel: In the UK, the game is available to watch live and free to air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game tonight with Standard Sport’s live blog, with Nick Purewal at the ground to provide expert analysis.
Argentina vs New Zealand team news
Argentina make just one change from the side that beat Wales, with that alteration coming at scrum-half.
Gonzalo Bertranou returns to the side to replace Tomas Cubelli, but Michael Cheika otherwise keeps faith with the XV that got Argentina to this stage.
Hooker Julian Montoya captains the side and number eight Facundo Isa makes his 50th international cap, while it's once again a centre-pairing of Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti.
Experience duo Agustin Creevy and Nicolas Sanchez are on the bench - Creevy, 38, will become the oldest player to feature in a World Cup semi-final should he come on at some point.
New Zealand have opted to bring wing Mark Telea and lock Sam Whitelock back into the side for the semi-final clash.
Telea missed the dramatic win over Ireland after breaching team protocols in the build-up to the match, but he returns to start on Friday night as Leicester Fainga'anuku misses out on the squad entirely despite his impressive display.
Whitelock comes in for Brodie Retallick in the only other change to the All Blacks' starting XV, as he earns a 152nd cap.
Retallick is on the bench, along with Samisoni Taukei'aho who takes the place of Dane Coles among the replacements.
Argentina vs New Zealand lineups
Argentina XV: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Gomez Kodela, Petti, Lavanini, Gonzalez, Kremer, Isa.
Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Bruni, Bazan Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.
New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Whitelock, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.
Replacements: Taukei'aho, Williams, Newell, Retallick, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.
Argentina vs New Zealand referee
Angus Gardner of Australia has been handed the officiating duties for this semi-final. Fellow countryman Nic Berry and England’s Karl Dickson are his assistants with Wales’ Ben Whitehouse on the TMO.
Argentina vs New Zealand prediction
The All Blacks, having been unfancied to hold off the Northern Hemisphere’s rising duo of France and Ireland, are suddenly huge favourites to make a fifth World Cup final.
Argentina overcame a pretty average Wales side despite being second-best for a fair amount of Saturday’s game and they will need to produce a simply incredible performance to qualify.
New Zealand to win, by over ten points.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Pumas ended a long wait for their first-ever win in this fixture by claiming a 25-15 victory in 2020, and followed it up with a repeat performance in Christchurch last year.
New Zealand may have won five games in this amongst those two defeats, but Argentina will use their successes for vital confidence.
Argentina wins: 2
New Zealand wins: 33
Draws: 1
Argentina vs New Zealand latest odds
Argentina to qualify: 17/2
New Zealand to qualify: 1/25
