All Blacks head coach Ian Foster looks on. Photo / Photosport
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster looks on. Photo / Photosport
The All Blacks, coming off a dominant 39-0 thumping of the Pumas, are looking to get even better following a review of their performance over the weekend.
Ian Foster's men have managed a perfect record so far this year, with yet another Bledisloe Cup trophy secured, but have plenty leftto do as they prepare for a rematch with Argentina, along with back-to-back tests against the world champion Springboks before heading for a northern hemisphere tour.
While the team seems to be back to its best, lock Scott Barrett says they're not taking anything for granted and are expecting an Argentinean team with "a little bit more edge" come Saturday night.
"I think this team's always good at finding ways to get better," Barrett said. "We just had our review and we weren't short of areas that we can get better on so we're focusing on them and looking to improve as we always do in the All Blacks.
"It's acknowledging some of the stuff that we showed the Argies. We're going to be a different team come this Saturday. They'll have a look at their tape and they'll present different pictures and probably turn up with a little bit more of an edge after the performance on the weekend."
Codie Taylor celebrates after the All Blacks' win over the Wallabies in Bledisloe III. Photo / Photosport
Teammate Codie Taylor added similar sentiments, saying the team simply has to get better – such is the competitive nature of test rugby.
"I think being not harsh but realistic with every performance," Taylor said when asked about improving upon such a dominant performance. "The team's got a new vision of where we want to get to and we're always striving in that direction. It's pretty exciting to see and it's a great team to be a part of and the culture is building really nicely.
"We've still got a long way to go but I think even on the weekend just gone in that performance, we've just had a review and there are still areas that we really want to work on and nail. If we do that then we're taking our game to another level.
"That's sort of part of the vision really because teams are after us and there's some big games coming up as well. We have to get better and that's just the reality of test footy."
All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree has hinted that several changes are likely for the second Pumas test, with Taylor, props Ethan de Groot and Ofa Tuungafasi, lock Patrick Tuipulotu, along with loose forward and captain Ardie Savea all in the mix for a return to the team setup.
It presents a tricky proposition for the All Blacks in balancing form against rotation and game time, with two massive tests against South Africa looming.
The All Blacks are also expecting a stronger Pumas outfit, who have battled through little preparation and several quarantines before a string of tough, physical tests against the two best teams on the planet.
Scott Barrett in action against the Pumas. Photo / Photosport
However, the ever-plucky Pumas still managed to cause the All Blacks a few issues in the first test, especially at the breakdown and at lineout time.
Barrett said the lineout in particular is something the team is working on.
"I think it's probably a credit to the way the Argies defend," he said about the All Blacks' early lineout issues in the first test. "They're pretty structured and disciplined in their system, shutting off the back and middle areas of the lineout, which is the best pool to launch from and where you want to win the ball.
"We adapted as the game went on and had to run the ball in other areas than are probably what the backs want. I guess it's what the Argies want to give us is worse quality ball from that set piece.
"We've got a plan and we've got to adjust obviously to the way they defend. We can't get too carried away with trying to jump on their big tall men."
Taylor says the depth of the All Blacks squad will be important for the team to get to where they want to be for the rest of the year and beyond.
"With the squad itself, there's a few new faces, guys that have been here for a while, some new people stepping into those leadership roles, new captains. I think it's just a byproduct of the environment at the moment.
"Fozzie's [Foster] asking us to stand up and perform and the boys are doing that. If we can keep managing that then we're treading in the right direction to where we want to be, especially with a couple years what's coming up."
