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Who does Argentina play against the most? The simple answer is that it depends on which period of time it is being asked. The common era, or professional era has become common place with international rugby divided into pre and post 1995.
During this common era Argentina has played against a total of 23 countries, or 24 including the British & Irish Lions. This is to say matches involving Los Pumas have been against 23 different World Rugby members. Matches involving the Argentina XV do not qualify. Also excluded are matches vs the Barbarians and French Barbarians.
The following table documents the complete record from 1995-2016. For the purposes of completing the cycle it includes all matches in 1995 itself.
| FIXTURE | TEST MATCHES |
| Argentina vs Australia | 18 |
| Argentina vs Brazil | 2 |
| Argentina vs British & Irish Lions | 1 |
| Argentina vs Canada | 5 |
| Argentina vs Chile | 17 |
| Argentina vs England | 15 |
| Argentina vs Fiji | 1 |
| Argentina vs France | 24 |
| Argentina vs Georgia | 4 |
| Argentina vs Ireland | 15 |
| Argentina vs Italy | 18 |
| Argentina vs Japan | 4 |
| Argentina vs Namibia | 3 |
| Argentina vs New Zealand | 17 |
| Argentina vs Paraguay | 6 |
| Argentina vs Romania | 5 |
| Argentina vs Samoa | 3 |
| Argentina vs Scotland | 13 |
| Argentina vs South Africa | 20 |
| Argentina vs Tonga | 1 |
| Argentina vs Uruguay | 23 |
| Argentina vs USA | 4 |
| Argentina vs Venezuela | 1 |
| Argentina vs Wales | 15 |
Most and Least Frequent Opponents
Argentina’s most common opponent has been France. There were 24 test matches between Argentina and France from 1995-2016. With 23 Uruguay is second ahead of South Africa in third with 20. Australia and Italy are tied for fourth while Chile has faced Los Pumas as often as The All Blacks have.
These figures have changed since Argentina joined the Rugby Championship. Prior to 2012 Argentina had far fewer matches against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This included a number of years in which Los Pumas had no matches against any of the three.
Argentina’s least frequent opponents have been British & Irish Lions, Fiji, Tonga and Venezuela. Los Pumas played each side once during the 21 year period. Brazil is next with there having been 2 matches. The reason for this has been (a) Brazil’s rise above Paraguay and (b) changing formats in the South American A Championship.
Excluding Rugby World Cups
Does excluding Rugby World Cup matches from the count alter the figures? Yes it does. All matches against Namibia have been in World Cups. The one match against Tonga was also at a Rugby World Cup. Three of the four games vs Georgia were also at World Cups.
Taking away Rugby World Cups and France would not be Argentina’s most frequent opponents. The teams met in three Rugby World Cup matches While Argentina’s 23 matches against Uruguay have all fallen outside of World Cups.
Similarly, Chile’s 17 matches against Los Pumas have been outside of Rugby World Cups. New Zealand faced Argentina in Rugby World Cups 2011 and 2015, Australia did so in 2003 and 2015 and South Africa in 2007 and 2015.
Tier 1 Comparison
Australia has had 22 opponents during this period. The variation of opponent, though, has been significantly different. The Wallabies have played South Africa 51 times and New Zealand 60. In comparison Australia has played all of Japan, Namibia, Russia, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay and the Pacific Islanders once each.
The matches against Japan, Namibia, Russia and Uruguay were at World Cups. The one match against Tonga was in 1998. This firmly suggests that Australia’s fixtures vs Tier 2 and 3 sides at World Cups inflate the numbers.
With 21 opponents New Zealand is comparable to Australia. Georgia, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, USA and the Pacific Islands have all played the All Blacks once. The first four of these did so at Rugby World Cups.
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have played New Zealand more often than they have Australia. In total there has been fourteen matches between New Zealand and one of the three nations over the 21 year period. There have, however, been 11 matches against Italy and more than double that against England and France.
South Africa has played against 22 opponents. Georgia, Japan, Romania, Spain and the Pacific Islands have had one test each. The first four of these were all at World Cups. Outside of World Cups South Africa has played one match against an African opponent, that being Namibia in 2007.
11 of South Africa’s opponents have played three or fewer matches against them. In comparison Wales has played both Australia and South Africa 24 times during these years. England has also been a frequent opponent of the Springboks with 26 matches.
Six Nations countries have also played infrequently against regional opposition. England has played 19 opponents in total. Leading opponents have been France and Australia whom have faced England 32 and 30 times respectively.
Italy has played England 21 times while the 2001 match against Romania is England’s only game outside of Rugby World Cup tournaments or qualifiers against a non-Six Nations European opponent. France, Scotland and Ireland have played 10, 7 and 7 matches against Romania respectively.
The figures demonstrate that Argentina has a vastly different relationship within its region than do all other Tier 1 unions. Of note is that changing times in the Rugby Championship have not ended competition within South America.
