Pool B Scotland v Argentina

[Finerz]

I believe this will be the second place decider in Pool B, with England coming first. All of the groups can be pretty confidently predicted but this one, so who will win the game and the place in the knockout stages?

Scotland are currently 7th in the World Rankings and have won both warm up fixtures against Ireland (albeit a second string team) and Italy, and the order of their pool games is favorable as they have the two easier games first against Romania and Georgia. Scotland seem to be able to create opportunities and breaks but lack the ability to make that killer pass to get the tries, but most other areas of their game are reasonable.

Argentina are currently 9th in the World Rankings and lost their only warm up game against Wales. They have a harder game order as well, facing the favoured England team first. Argentina are famous for their rolling maul, and scored a good try against Wales using it but other areas of their game are lacking.

So who would you put your money on?

 

[calculon]

I believe this will be the second place decider in Pool B, with England coming first. All of the groups can be pretty confidently predicted but this one, so who will win the game and the place in the knockout stages?

Scotland are currently 7th in the World Rankings and have won both warm up fixtures against Ireland (albeit a second string team) and Italy, and the order of their pool games is favorable as they have the two easier games first against Romania and Georgia. Scotland seem to be able to create opportunities and breaks but lack the ability to make that killer pass to get the tries, but most other areas of their game are reasonable.

Argentina are currently 9th in the World Rankings and lost their only warm up game against Wales. They have a harder game order as well, facing the favoured England team first. Argentina are famous for their rolling maul, and scored a good try against Wales using it but other areas of their game are lacking.

So who would you put your money on?

It's going to be an interesting group and actually, I think the winner of this will win the group, with the loser possibly bombing out at the group stage. I wouldn't look into the warm-ups too much. Argentina played away as they often do in tests. Both teams have played each other allot recently and Scotland came out on top, but I think it will be too close to call. Argentina will have just beaten England and may have injuries

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

I think Group D will be the group of death to be honest! Wales/Fiji/Samoa to all be fighting for 2nd place with SA being first in Pool D. Yes Pool B will be another hard group, dont rule Argentina out of coming first in Pool B. They are a very dangerous team, did come 3rd in the world last time and have something to prove as they will be in the Four Nations next year! However I do think you will be correct and England will finish 1st in Pool B and this match between Scotland and Argentina will be the decider. I do believe it will be one sided and Argentina will win by 7+ points.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Argentina have played 18 tests since the last WC, and have never been able to form the necessary combinations. Plus, the coach's a tool who doesn't like his players to pass the ball at all!

Argentina have the players, and I would love them to go through to the final, but I seriously think tht they are likely to be left out from the pool stages. Contepomi at 10 is a liability at the moment, and they lack size in the centres. Their place kicking is going really bad as well.

I think this argentine team is nowhere near their 2007 counterpart. You can never rule thel out, of course, especially with those awesome guts they have, but I think Scotland are favourites.

It's not that Scotland are looking too good either, but I think their gametime together will make the difference

 

[calculon]

I think Group D will be the group of death to be honest! Wales/Fiji/Samoa to all be fighting for 2nd place with SA being first in Pool D. Yes Pool B will be another hard group, dont rule Argentina out of coming first in Pool B. They are a very dangerous team, did come 3rd in the world last time and have something to prove as they will be in the Four Nations next year! However I do think you will be correct and England will finish 1st in Pool B and this match between Scotland and Argentina will be the decider. I do believe it will be one sided and Argentina will win by 7+ points.

Argentina trounced France again in a 2010 test in Buenos Aires, and beat Italy in their last 2 tests. They may not like playing against Scotland as the Scots are good at strangling teams, which will not suit them. I'm curious what kind of Argentina will show up. Not quite as potent as their 2007 team but they may still surprise. It's a group Scotland can win if they have any ambition and should be looking to win.

 

[THE_DINGMEISTER]

Whilst England did not set the world on fire with the display against Ireland they were much improved than against Wales. I thought England started very well with good quick ball and Tindall and Tuilagi proved to be an effective combination. Scotland must have a solid centre pairing which rules de Luca out, he coughs up more ball in contact than a plague victim coughs up lungs. Could see a Morrison,S Lamont combination as Ansbro is defensively shaky as well. Would like to see Lamont put some big hits on Manu. Feel Scotland should be able to punish England more effectively at the breakdown than Ireland did, Barclay will be important here. Need to sort the scrum out asap, (second string front row against Italy) Jacobsen, Ford and Cross should hold their own. Need to keep disciplined but pressure England at the Breakdaown and in defense.

Against Argentina need to avoid conceding early tries and just play the game at a faster pace and for God's sake take advantage of clear try scoring oppurtunities.