Make or break for All Blacks

By WYYNE GRAY

BUENOS AIRES - It is all or nothing at the River Plate Stadium tomorrow for the All Blacks.

Victory would cement a solid tour, a late season record to counter the unease about the Tri-Nations series and leave New Zealand looking to the promise of a resurgence in 2002.

Defeat would ruin an unbeaten record against Argentina since the nations played the first of their 10 internationals in 1985, and once more leave questions about the position of the All Blacks in the global rugby order.

The outstanding record of the All Blacks throughout their rich history fills New Zealand with expectation, and at the same time is a burden that teams wearing the black jersey have to carry.

No matter the resurgence of Argentina in the last month, with their wins in Europe. The anticipation has to be all about an All Black victory.

But they may be vulnerable. A week in the sun in Buenos Aires can dull the ambition, send minds into holiday mode too early, while the Pumas wait in the security of their home surroundings and growing record.

The All Blacks must continue with their all-purpose attitude of moving the ball, because to engage in constant contact with the Pumas' pack will invite destruction and penalty concessions against the accurate boot of Felipe Contepomi.

It was much the same when the All Blacks made their first test tour of Argentina in 1985 and fought out two rugged internationals in Buenos Aires.

They nudged through the first 32-20, but drew the second 21-all.

That day they scored four tries with some expansive play, but the great man of Puma rugby, Hugo Porta, kicked four penalties and three drop goals to leave the scores tied.

There will be the same pressure tomorrow and a raucous crowd of about 70,000 singing, dancing and urging Argentina towards their goal of an upset win.

This will be spectator passion to rival that encountered by the All Blacks at Marseilles last year when the crowd roared France to a vigorous comeback win.

The title of world champions sits with the Wallabies, but the All Blacks remain the side everyone wants to defeat. They carry the mystique of greatness; they are the most successful team in the history of rugby.

When they are beaten it is a catastrophe for New Zealand, and for the victors a day when they have reached a rugby pinnacle.

Argentina have yet to scale that summit, although they have come very close at home.

And that is the cauldron of talented expectation the All Blacks must conquer tomorrow and one they will demand of themselves as the latest men-in-black standard-bearers.

They know they have plenty to repair. They need to be far more clinical than they were for half a game against Ireland and most of the match against Scotland.

If the groundwork is done they have the firepower in the threequarters to inflict some serious damage on the Pumas.

But to play hot potato adventure in the backs without any forward structure will not work against an Argentine side who displayed serious resolve to beat Wales and Scotland last month.

Their pattern will not surprise. They will go to the pack again and again to gain momentum, with halfback Agustin Pichot and Contepomi sniping and turning possession back to forwards on the inside.

They will grind away with short interpassing in the pack, keeping the ball off the ground to use the power of their driving mauls, searching for small gaps or penalties. If they manage multi-phase possession they do have speed from the back three to push for tries out wide.

Tremendous demands will centre on the All Black tight five. The lineout should be more comfortable, but the scrum, defence and cleanout round the tackled ball have to be much more precise.

If the new front row settles and contains, one of the foundation planks will be set. Dave Hewett, Anton Oliver and Kees Meeuws have to be tight and positive, a repaired Norm Maxwell and Chris Jack aggressive and confrontational.

The loose trio and Mark Robinson have to pressure Pichot relentlessly. He is the general, raising the tempo and surging past the advantage line. Shut down Pichot and the Pumas' edge is blunted.

Gradually, Andrew Mehrtens and Tana Umaga have gone to better levels on their tour and if they get time on the ball, the free-ranging gifts of Jonah Lomu, Doug Howlett and newcomer Ben Blair could devour the open spaces.