Rugby: Homework brings team up to date with rivals

Joaquin Tuculet spearheads the Pumas backline. Photo / Getty Images

Usually, on a Thursday, when the All Blacks are asked specifics about the opposition they are vague and noncommittal - suggesting they haven't yet done the necessary analysis on that front.

Yesterday it was noticeably different - to a man, the All Blacks were clued up about the Pumas, about who they were and about how they were likely to play.

To some extent that's probably because they have done their analysis of the opposition earlier in the week because Argentina are a team they would know little about. The Pumas remain a bit of a mystery with a relatively new coach and a handful of young players who are not easy to track outside of the Rugby Championship.

But the bigger reason the All Blacks were happy to talk about Argentina and make it clear they have done ample homework is that the Pumas have earned their respect.

Argentina present the All Blacks with a bigger threat than the Wallabies. The Pumas destroyed the Springbok scrum in both tests and were it not for a little inexperience and lack of belief, they would have won the test in Argentina. They probably should have won in South Africa and the All Blacks don't think that was a case of the Pumas getting lucky.

The Pumas have enough ability to be more than troublesome. They can win enough possession, they can exert enough pressure and they can keep the scoreboard ticking along.

In Nicolas Sanchez they have a competent playmaker and a back three spearheaded by Joaquin Tuculet who have enough strike power and flair to punish any team that doesn't close them down.

The All Blacks have done their homework out of necessity. They were happy to talk about the threat of the Pumas because they feel it is for real and there is nothing contrived about their respect.

"They have got some very capable rugby players, said Steve Hansen. "They have been smart in giving a lot of them a rest in June. That rest has rejuvenated a few of them and they will be very, very tough."