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'A little bit of an extra knot in the gut' - All Blacks desperate to get back to winning ways

By Alex Fisher
Scott Barrett buries head in shirt after Springboks defeat (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Keeping Argentina’s pack quiet is the top priority for New Zealand this weekend, according to All Blacks duo Owen Franks and Scott Barrett.

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New Zealand can wrap up the Rugby Championship title with a bonus-point win in Buenos Aires, but the Pumas are buoyant after victory over Australia last time out.

That 23-19 win on September 15 gave Argentina a second triumph of the competition for the first time, while the All Blacks fell to a shock defeat to South Africa in Wellington.

And Franks and Barrett know the threat posed by Argentina – particularly up front – is something they cannot underestimate as they look to get back to winning ways.

“As far as I’m concerned going into this week they’ve got the best scrum in the world, that’s the ability they have to be able to turn it on,” Franks told the All Blacks website.

Barrett added: “They’ll be fired up and they are a skilful team with a good forward pack so it’s going to be a big challenge and we’ve got to prepare for that.

“Having a week off after the loss to South Africa meant there was time to stew over the outcome while there was also a bit of ‘a little bit of an extra knot in the gut’ to get back on track and get a win.

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“At the same time you’ve got to put that behind you and focus on what’s ahead.”

Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has recalled Manuel Montero for the clash in place of fellow winger Ramiro Moyano, the latter still struggling with a rib injury he picked up against the Wallabies.

The uncapped Santiago Grondona and Matias Osadczuk have also been added to the 30-man squad in place of Lucas Paulos (flu) and Santiago Alvarez Fourcade – who is omitted after being sent off for his club side at the weekend.

Watch: Ramiro Moyano scores impressive opener against the All Blacks last time out

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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