Jason Ryan hints at consistency in selection for second Argentina Test

With one bonus point victory already secured in The Rugby Championship for 2025, it’s fair to assume there may be some changes for Scott Robertson and the All Blacks for their second Test this weekend in Buenos Aires.

Star All Blacks forwards Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi are likely back in contention for the All Blacks’ second Rugby Championship encounter, after both missed the entire home series against France in July.

Both also missed the first Test in Cordoba, but all signs are heading towards them being fit and available for selection for the All Blacks coaches.

When asked about possible selection changes for the Test match this weekend in Buenos Aires, Ryan says that the Rugby Championship is a short competition and getting the points early on is the most important thing.

“I think your question is fair, and I can understand why you’re digging and look, I think that the Rugby Championship is quite a short competition, when you think about it in the scheme of things, you need bonus points,” Ryan tells media in New Zealand from Argentina.

Even with the likes of both Williams and Sititi back from injury, Ryan explains that the continuation of some combinations is important for this All Blacks side.

“So I think combinations and getting on top of those, and really ingraining some fundamentals and absolutely sticking by them is really important.

“So I think that part of the conversation will be a big one for the selection meeting tomorrow night.”

The All Blacks forwards coach admits that the selection will be challenging for this weekend’s Test, and the balance of those decisions will be important and tough.

“But also the fact that we do know that there is some men that are potentially going to be available for selection in Tamaiti and and Wallace. So what does that balance looks like? I’m not too sure at the moment.

“We’ve had some good combos already, and we’re challenging each other, but we’ll pick the best team to front up in this test against Argentina, that’s for sure.”

After last year’s struggles in the final 20 minutes of Test matches, Ryan knows and understands the importance of improving that, though he believes they aren’t fully there yet.

“Yeah, it has been [a focus], but I think that you just got to finish your sets in every area of the game really, whether that’s off a scrum or a line out, we’re just constantly trying to challenge ourselves.

“I think that we have shown in the French series and in this game last night that our bench is coming on and they’re a little bit more experienced than they were last year, and we’re finishing games with a little bit more power and a bit more quality.

“We have made some shifts, but by no means are we sitting back and patting ourselves on the back just yet.”