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
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments