Rugby World Cup Pool C: Argentina to prove too tough a test for Tonga

Hugo Barnard | October 4, 2015

Argentina will be looking to all but cement their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a win in their maiden meeting with Tonga, in what is now the most important match of Pool C with so much at stake for both nations.

The two teams have one victory apiece from their two group games so far, and the tenacious Tongans (2/1 with Coral to get a penalty in the first scoring play market) certainly need another if they are to have any hopes of reaching the last eight for the first time in history.

Tonga, of course, only have to look back to the last finals for some some inspiration going into this clash, where they famously shocked the rugby world by beating France at the same stage of the tournament.

However, Argentina always seem to peak at the Rugby World Cup, with 10 wins coming from their previous 14 groups games, so are heavy odds-on favourites at 1/20. Whereas, if the Pacific Islanders want to cause another upset, they will have to do it as 14/1 outsiders.

Fetu’u Vainikolo became Tonga’s leading all-time tryscorer after crossing over in the shock loss to Georgia earlier in the pool opener, and has an extremely impressive strike rate of 15 in 22 starts.

The 30-year-old winger missed the last game against Namibia through injury, but should be back and raring to go and is a good bet to be first try scorer at 16/1, while he is 9/4 to cross anytime.