'They all deserve an opportunity': All Blacks coach drops selection hint ahead of must-win Pumas rematch
All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree has dropped a hint at how he and his co-selectors plan to pick this week’s team to face Los Pumas in Newcastle on Saturday.
In what will be their final test of the year, the All Blacks will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses, the latter of which was a shock result as Argentina toppled New Zealand for the first time in test rugby history.
After a week off following the 25-15 defeat at Bankwest Stadium, the New Zealanders will turn their attention to their final assignment of 2020 with the Tri-Nations title on the line.
Argentina’s 15-all draw with the Wallabies last week has blown the tournament wide open, with all three teams tied on six competition points each.
Needing a win to have any chance of winning the the silverware on offer, Plumtree has indicated the All Blacks are likely to field their strongest available team rather than use the match as a chance to develop youngsters.
Speaking to media over Zoom with star playmaker Beauden Barrett on Tuesday, Plumtree said the lack of tests this year has prevented inexperienced players from gaining as much game time as he and his fellow selectors would have liked.
However, he ensured that test caps can’t be handed out easily, and the best interests of the team will be taken into consideration when it comes to picking this week’s side.
“Ideally, we wanted to give everyone time on this trip,” Plumtree said.
“We have a lot of new fellas and we wanted to reward them with [game] time. Some have got that, some haven’t. Some haven’t got a lot, but that’s just the nature of being with this team. It’s not a given right to be selected for the All Blacks.
“We don’t have a lot of tests, and as selectors, we’ve got to do what’s best for the team, but right now, we’re in a situation where we have to do really well, like Beaudy [Barrett] said, around this weekend in terms of the Tri-Nations.
“That’s the trophy that we’re after now we’ve got the Bled [Bledisloe Cup] put away, and now we’re in for a sniff of the Tri-Nations and we’ll be going hard at that.”
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That doesn’t mean those with fewer test caps than their more experienced teammates aren’t out of the running for playing time this week, though.
In fact, when asked whether Akira Ioane, who made his test debut in the 24-22 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane three weeks ago on the back of an impressive Super Rugby season, was pushing for his second cap, Plumtree was clear in his response.
“Yup, definitely,” he said, “and Hoskins [Sotutu] we’re looking at as well, and Dalton Papalii hasn’t had a lot of time as well.
“All these players have been fantastic through Super Rugby and they’ve been great on this trip as well – if they come off the bench or if they’re helping us getting prepared, I can’t fault them, so they all deserve an opportunity, it’s just whether they get it.”
Regardless of who is asked to front against Argentina at McDonald Jones Stadium, one thing is certain – a vast improvement in discipline will be key if the All Blacks are to finish the season on a high note.
Barrett was quick to admit that after his side were guilty of reacting too easily to the niggle dished out by both the Wallabies and Los Pumas in their two most recent tests, leading to needless penalties which cost them dearly.
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year said the All Blacks will need to make amendments to their mindset if they are to stay on the right side of the referee’s whistle and give themselves the best chance of victory.
“It’s clearly been our discipline,” Barrett said when asked of where things have been going wrong for the All Blacks in recent weeks.
“The last two games, you’ve seen referees being forced to make some big decisions and a lot of penalties up against us, and probably both teams to be fair.
“We can’t give them any opportunity to do that, that starts with us and our discipline.
“You look at our attack and defence and you can pick that apart as much as you want, but it starts with us not giving the refs anything.”
Former All Blacks captain and Blues assistant coach Tana Umaga won't rule it out either a soon-to-be-vacant Super Rugby coaching gig. #SuperRugby #MoanaPasifika https://t.co/r9Wu9KIZCu
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In order to help combat his squad’s ill-discipline, Plumtree revealed head coach Ian Foster had devised a training regime designed to force his side to subdue their frustrations on the field.
“We’re putting the players under pressure and Fozzie’s been working really hard on that, just with coming up with some creative games where, potentially, the players might get a little bit upset with some of his decisions,” Plumtree said.
“That’s just part of it, so there has been a big focus for us off the field as well, so we feel like we’ve come a long way in that space.
“I think a lot of the players have learned more about that, just controlling their emotions on the pitch – when things don’t go so well, how do we go about that, how we help each other as well out there.
“These are all things that have been a big focus for us the last couple of weeks.”
Just how well the All Blacks have learned to temper their grievances will be put to the test this weekend.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to comments