Argentina vs Samoa prediction and odds: Rugby World Cup 2023

Pundit Feed

22 September 2023

Argentina vs Samoa prediction and odds: Rugby World Cup 2023

Pool D of the 2023 Rugby World Cup comes roaring back to life on Friday evening with Argentina taking on Samoa at the Stade-Geoffrey-Guichard, Saint-Étienne. Samoa come into this match in second place after a 43-10 win over Chile last weekend whereas Argentina have had just under a fortnight to get over their 27-10 defeat against 14-man England in Marseilles.

Argentina vs Samoa match predictions

Although Samoa come into this match with the opportunity to top the table, Argentina have a much stronger squad to select from in Saint-Étienne.

Argentina to win with a -13 point handicap @ 1/1 (2.00)

After coming into the tournament with a growing reputation as a rugby force, many neutrals were left gobsmacked as Argentina lost to England in spite of the 2003 Rugby World Cup Champions playing almost the whole match one man down. So we are expecting a reaction from the South Americans who still have the players, and potentially the draw, to go deep in the tournament.

Samoa picked up a bonus point against Chile but we expect them to be the team doing the chasing in this fixture.

Mateo Carreras to be first try scorer @ 8/1 (9.00)

The left-winger was one of many under-performing players in the defeat to England but the Newcastle Falcons back will be determined to make up for that result and showing in this game. Still only 23, the quick and skilful Argentine has scored 25 points from 11 games and we expect his pace to be too hot to handle for the Samoans from the first whistle.

Argentina to get their tournament underway, a fortnight overdue

The South Americans were favourites in some quarters to beat England in the opening game, but it would be an even bigger shock if they were unable to convincingly beat Samoa on Friday.

Argentina

After being defeated by a George Ford kicking masterclass in the first game of the pool, we expect the Pumas to be disciplined and well drilled ahead of this match. Michael Cheika will have worked hard to instil confidence back into the squad and although they are ranked only one place above their opponents in this game, Argentina have a much higher ceiling.

Argentina last five:

England 27-10 Argentina

Argentina 62-3 Spain

Argentina 13-24 South Africa

South Africa 22-21 Argentina

Australia 31-34 Argentina

Samoa

The Islanders got their bonus point win over tournament newcomers Chile in their only match of the tournament so far, but in truth, there were plenty of areas of their game which were un-impressive. Head coach Seilala Mapusua will demand much more from his team in this game and will be looking for them to replicate the showing which saw them lose only 17-13 to Ireland during the Summer Series.