New Zealand are certain to top Group C in the ongoing 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, but the race for the second position could be a tricky affair with Argentina said to be favourites to finish runners up in the group. However, Georgia and Tonga cannot be ruled out completely.
Argentina's clash against Tonga at Leicester City Stadium on Sunday is expected to be an important fixture. Both the teams come into match with full confidence as Argentina defeated Georgia 54-9, while Tonga emerged victorious against Namibia, 35-21 in their respective last outings.
Argentina and Tonga are aware of the importance of today's game as the winner will find themselves in the all important second spot. Both the teams have made some changes in their line up from the game, which started in their last fixtures with Argentina set to start with a new centre pair of Jeronimo De la Fuente and Matias Moroni, while Tonga have made as many as six changes in their playing 15.
The Tonga players have an opportunity to attack Fuente and Moroni, who do not have any experience of playing as a unit, hence, if the Tonga players can come up with a definitive game plan, they could make life difficult for Argentina.
Though Argentina might be favourites, Tonga, who possess some dangerous players are eager to come up with a determined effort to defeat the Pumas. One such Tonga player, Siale Piutau, believes the match against Argentina is going to be an all-out war.
"We have got this wolf pack mentality that is going to take on the Puma and that is how we are going into this game. It's going to be an all-out battle, all-out war. We are just dying to get out on the field and get our howling on," ninemsn quoted Piutau as saying.
Argentina are aware of Tonga's aggressive nature of their game and Argentina's fly-half Martin Landajo warned his team to be ready for a physical game.
"Tonga will be similar to Georgia," AFP quoted fly-half Martin Landajo as saying."They have a physical game, which could surprise us in the first half as Georgia did."
It is imperative for Argentina to start the game on the frontfoot else Tonga can use their aggressive physical game to their advantage and put pressure early on, which the Pumas definitely do not want.
"We must not wait 40 minutes to get going as we did in the last meeting. We must impose our game from the first minute and get the ball," added Landajo.
Team News
Argentina:
Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy (captain), Ramiro Herrera, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore
Replacements: Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Matias Alemanno, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Cubelli, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Horacio Agulla
Tonga:
Vungakoto Lilo, Telusa Veainu, Siale Piutau, Sione Piukala, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Kurt Morath, Sonatane Takulua; Soane Tonga'uiha, Elvis Taione, Halani 'Aulika, Tukulua Lokotui, Joseph Tuineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Nili Latu (captain), Viliami Ma'afu
Replacements: Aleki Lutui, Sona Taumalolo, Sila Puafisi, Sitiveni Mafi, Opeti Fonua, Samisoni Fisilau, Latiume Fosita, David Halaifonua
Where to watch live
Argentina vs Tonga is scheduled for an 2:30pm BST (7pm IST, 2pm ET) start. Indian viewers can watch the game live on Sony Six.
The UK and Ireland viewers can watch Argentina vs Tonga live on ITV1, with the live stream option on ITV Player.
Sky Sport will cover the Argentina vs Tonga live in New Zealand, while the action can also be watched via live streaming on Sky Go NZ.
USA viewers can watch the Rugby World Cup match live on Universal Sports, while the big game can also be live streamed on Universal Sports Online.
Argentina vs Tonga will be shown live in South Africa on SuperSport, while the live stream option is on SuperSport Live Video.
