All you need to know: All Blacks v Los Pumas in Tri-Nations rematch
The All Blacks have made three changes to their starting lineup for Saturday’s Tri Nations rematch against Argentina, retaining an unchanged backline and most of the lineup which slumped to an historic loss to the Pumas two weeks ago.
Akira Ioane will start on the blindside flank, Nepo Laulala comes in at tighthead prop and Scott Barrett replaces Patrick Tuipulotu in the second row in a selection which suggests fine-tuning rather than a decisive response to recent defeats.
Argentina has been far more bold, making 10 changes to the team which drew 15-15 with Australia last weekend and naming lock Lucas Paulos to make his test debut.
Nicolas Sanchez, who has scored 40 points in two Tri Nations matches from a try, a conversion and 11 penalties, remains at first five-eighths but will combine with a new partner at halfback, Felipe Ezcurra.
In a backline shakeup, Emiliano Boffelli is at fullback, Ramiro Moyano and Santiago Cordero on the wings and Jeronimo del la Fuenta and Juan Cruz Mallia in midfield.
Captain Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer will combine with Facundo Isa in the backrow. Paulos joins Guido Petti in the second row while Mayco Vivas and Santiago Medrano will prop the scrum.
The All Blacks, particularly head coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane, have been under heavy pressure after the team’s first back-to-back losses in nine years. A win in Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Saturday might still be enough to allow New Zealand to win the Tri-Nations title. A loss will endanger Foster’s job, with public opinion already strongly against him.
“We’ve had a great week building into what will be a vital test for us,” Foster said. “It’s exciting in the sense that we have the opportunity to redeem ourselves after our last game and we also have the opportunity to win the Tri-Nations.
“There’s a real determination in the team to perform well, not only for ourselves but also our families and friends at home and our country.”
Ioane was named ahead of Shannon Frizell in an effort to add another ball carrier and some punch at the breakdown. The All Blacks failed to make a single line break in their 25-15 loss to Argentina in Sydney two weeks ago and seldom even made the gain line. The Pumas followed up with a 15-15 draw against Australia last weekend in Newcastle.
What happened when Beauden Barrett got to work with renowned kicking guru… https://t.co/Y3m5XkGmAV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 26, 2020
Barrett is a risky selection because of his poor disciplinary record, receiving a yellow card in the All Blacks’ 24-22 loss to Australia a week before the defeat by the Pumas. The All Blacks discipline has been poor in recent matches and Barrett will be under pressure to keep a cool head in Newcastle.
One-test utility Will Jordan has been included on the bench along with Tuipulotu, whose demotion follows a poor performance in the first match against Argentina.
Powerful backrower Hoskins Sotutu has been left on the bench, despite calls for his addition to the starting lineup to also inject some power into New Zealand’s ball carrying game. Foster’s selection may be seen as an admission he has few players he can inject to immediately lift the team’s performance.
Beauden Barrett has been retained at fullback, though his form has been well below his best. His brother Jordie Barrett, named out of position on the right wing, appears a better fullback on current form.
Saturday’s test will be the All Blacks’ last in 2020 and might also be Foster’s last if they lose again. His record in his five matches as head coach since his appointment in December is two wins, two losses and a draw.
The standard of the All Blacks’ performances over the last two weeks has been sheeted home to Foster, and Cane has also faced criticism for his lack of leadership. He made matters worse when he responded to criticism of the team’s performance by suggesting All Blacks fans know nothing about rugby.
Match details:Saturday 28 November, 9.45pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Squads
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu, T.J. Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan.
Argentina: Emiliano Boffelli, Ramiro Moyano, Juan Cruz Mallia, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Santiago Cordero, Nicolas Sanchez, Felipe Ezcurra; Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (captain), Lucas Paulos, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas.
Reserves: Santiago Socino, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Lucio Sordoni, Matías Alemanno, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Lucas Mensa.
Match history
Played: 30
Won: All Blacks 28, Drawn 1, Argentina 1
Last time: Argentina 25, All Blacks 15 (14 November 2020)
Odds
All Blacks: $1.11
Argentina: $6.20
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments