- Argentina have won just two of their 36 meetings with New Zealand 
- New Zealand won 41-12 in the last meeting between these sides back in July 
- Recommended bet: New Zealand -16.5 handicap

After four thrilling quarter-finals over the weekend, the 2023 World Cup semi-finals are up next, with Argentina set to face New Zealand in the first at the Stade de France on Friday night.

Having suffered a 27-10 defeat to England in their opening game of the tournament, Argentina have responded well and earned a 29-17 win over Wales in their quarter-final in Marseille.

New Zealand also lost their opener against hosts France but return on Friday to Saint-Denis, the location for their epic 28-24 quarter-final victory over Ireland last Saturday.

Team news

Starting with Argentina, flanker Pablo Matera saw his World Cup brought to an end with a hamstring injury and he has been replaced in the squad by Facundo Isa.

Isa featured in the win over Wales and will be hoping for a starting role in what should be a largely settled side to face the All Blacks.

As for New Zealand, winger Mark Telea could be back available for selection after being overlooked for the quarter-final against the Irish due to a breach of the team’s disciplinary protocol.

After such an impressive performance against Ireland, it is hard to see head coach Ian Foster making too many changes from the side that saw off Andy Farrell’s 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam winners.

The stats

Going back to their first meeting in October 1985, these sides have met on 36 occasions, with New Zealand winning 33 of them.

Argentina recorded their first ever win over the All Blacks in 2020 with a 25-15 success against the Kiwis in Sydney.

The Pumas earned their first and only win on New Zealand soil in 2022 with a 25-18 victory in Christchurch in the Rugby Championship.

No team scored more than New Zealand in the pool stages of this World Cup in France, with the All Blacks amassing an impressive 253 points in their four games against the French, Italy, Namibia and Uruguay.

Argentina scored 127 points in their four pool games, with only Fiji (88) scoring fewer points in the group stage of the eight teams that reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Prediction

New Zealand were happy to go under the radar heading into the knockout stages, with the likes of Ireland and France taking much of the limelight.

The Irish and French are both now out and New Zealand will take some stopping if they are to be denied a place in the final on October 28.

A 41-12 win over Argentina in their last meeting in Mendoza in the summer shows what this All Blacks' side is capable of against the Pumas and it could well be another one-sided scoreline at the Stade de France on Friday night.

Back New Zealand with a -16.5 handicap at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet.