Scott Barrett in action against the Pumas. Photo / Photosport
All you need to know ahead of the first test between the All Blacks and the Pumas at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday, 27 August (kickoff at 7.45pm):
The Rugby Championship test between New Zealand and Argentina at Christchurch on Saturday is supposed to be a "new dawn" for the All Blacks.
Fans know this because New Zealand Rugby told them so. When it recently reappointed head coach Ian Foster through the 2023 World Cup, NZR was effusive in its praise. It said Foster was the only man who could lead the All Blacks into this new era.
Setting aside the fact that the All Blacks under Foster have won only two of their last seven tests, NZR's chairman and chief executive Mark Robinson portrayed him as a visionary who would take New Zealand back to the peak of world rugby. The All Blacks currently languish at fifth place, their lowest-ever world ranking.
Robinson wasn't clear on what might happen if the All Blacks lose to Argentina on Saturday, other than that the new dawn would be momentarily postponed.
A loss to Argentina is something All Blacks supporters normally would not consider likely. The All Blacks hadn't lost to the Pumas in 29 tests until Foster became the first coach to experience a defeat in 2020.
The Pumas squad that the All Blacks face in the first test in Christchurch in six years may be one of the most formidable they have ever faced. The team has been re-energised by former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and goes into the match on the back of a 48-17 win over Australia.
The All Blacks will attempt to back up the win over the World Cup champion Springboks in South Africa two weeks ago which made it possible for New Zealand Rugby to throw its backing behind Foster. The win in Johannesburg was a vital one for a beleaguered coach and team but will count for nothing if the All Blacks don't win again against the Pumas.
Foster realises the one win over South Africa is not enough to take the "weight off" the All Blacks or relieve public concern about their form — an informal survey on a New Zealand media website showed more than 80 per cent of respondents opposed Foster's reappointment.
"There's plenty of pressure around playing for the All Blacks. It's learning how to deal with that," Foster said. "It comes in different forms and shapes. Sometimes it's geared at people, sometimes it's geared at performance. You have to make sure you keep embracing that.
"We know one win doesn't mean a lot. We want to keep growing this year. We have a championship to win and we want to keep focused on that."
The All Blacks did make significant improvements against the Springboks after losing the first test 26-10. They picked two younger props who improved the set piece performance and mobility in the loose. Richie Mo'unga stepped in for Beauden Barrett at No 10 and eliminated the aimless kicking which has been part of the All Blacks' game. Mo'unga also sharpened the All Blacks' attack.
Those changes might in part be due to the former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, who took a more hands-on role in preparing the New Zealand team for the first time. If All Blacks fans have any hope for the team it is that Schmidt might bring more direction.
Cheika, more than anyone, might understand the pressure Foster has been under. He experienced similar opposition when he coached Australia to 34 wins in 68 tests, peaking early with a run to the 2015 World Cup final. Enjoying a new lease on life as Pumas coach, Cheika said Foster also should be enjoying the pressure of coaching the All Blacks.
"He's the coach of New Zealand. They're one of the best countries in the world in rugby," Chieka said in an interview with Sky Sport's The Breakdown. "He'll be loving it. Even when it's tough it doesn't matter. That comes with the territory of footy - it gets tough."
Cheika said the national head coaching role is a "brilliant" post to hold.
"It's a great honor if you're in that position and you love it," he said. "You get to go out and be involved in footy every day. It doesn't matter how tough it gets, it's part of the game just like when you're a player."
The usual 7.05pm kickoff time for All Blacks tests has been pushed back to 7.45pm, due to Australia's clash against South Africa being played in Adelaide at 5.30pm.
All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Quinn Tupaea.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (c), Thomas Gallo.
Reserves: Santiago Socino, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Santiago Grondona, Tomas Cubelli, Tomas Albornoz, Santiago Cordero.
All Blacks: 1.08
Argentina: 7.00
Draw: 31.00
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Damon Murphy (Australia)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)
Argentina is set to play in New Zealand for the first time since 2018. The All Blacks have played them 37 times since 1976, while this will be just the third meeting between the sides in Christchurch.
Last five tests:
2019: All Blacks 20-16 Argentina - José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
2020: All Blacks 15-25 Argentina - Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
2020: All Blacks 38-0 Argentina - McDonald Jones stadium, Newcastle
2021: All Blacks 39-0 Argentina - Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
2021: All Blacks 36-13 Argentina - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Herald will be live blogging the test, while radio commentary is running live on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and on iHeartRadio.
The match is screening on Sky Sport 1 and live streaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also listen to ACC commentary featuring Matt Heath, James McOnie and Matt Ward from 7:40pm this Saturday on Sky Sport channel 59, Sky Sport Now 9, iHeartradio and Radio Hauraki.
- with AP