Facts and stats — Argentina v New Zealand

A selection of facts and statistics before the Rugby World Cup semifinal between Argentina and New Zealand at Stade de France on Friday night.

* Argentina have won two of their 36 Tests against New Zealand (D1 L33), with both victories coming since the 2019 World Cup (25-15 in 2020, 25-18 in 2022). The Pumas’ 6% win rate against the All Blacks is their lowest vs any side they have faced more than five times.

* New Zealand and Argentina have met three times at the World Cup (1987, 2011, 2015), with the All Blacks winning all three by margins of 10+ points. One of those matches took place in the knockout stage, New Zealand winning in the 2011 quarterfinals on their way to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

* New Zealand will play in their ninth semifinal, no other nation has reached this stage as often. The All Blacks have a 50% win rate in semifinals (W4 L4) and 75% or better at every other stage of the tournament.

* Argentina have won their past four matches, their best run since the 2015 World Cup when they also won four in a row. They have not won more consecutive matches since five straight victories in 2012.

* New Zealand have made an average of 5.3 metres over the gain line per carry in this year’s World Cup — more than any other team. Their average of 694 metres gained per game is also the most of any team in the tournament. The All Blacks also rank first for line breaks per game (14.0).

* Argentina have averaged a greater share of possession (55.8%) and territory (56.6%) per game in this year's World Cup. New Zealand have the best lineout success rate (98.1%), have only failed to retain one of their 52 lineout throws in the tournament and have successfully found one of their players from each of their past 49 throws.

* Only Scotland (42.5) have beaten more defenders per game than New Zealand (35.6) or Argentina (30.2) in this year’s World Cup. New Zealand have a tackle evasion rate of 29.8%, also the second best in the tournament this year (Scotland 32.6%).

* Argentina have completed 69% of their rucks in under three seconds during this year’s World Cup — the highest for any team. They have seen their opponents complete just 50.5% of their rucks in under three seconds — the best defensive rate among all teams.

* New Zealand duo Anton Lienert-Brown (83%) and Ardie Savea (80%) are two of just five players to have a gain line success rate of 80% or better at this year’s World Cup (minimum of 20 carries). Lienert-Brown has also provided the joint-most line break assists of any player (six), while Savea has been directly involved in the most tries of any forward (three tries, three assists).

* Argentina’s Thomas Gallo has beaten more defenders than any other forward in this year’s World Cup (18), while teammate Facundo Isa, who could earn his 50th cap for Los Pumas in this match, has carried for more metres per 80 minutes than any other forward (128).