Sam Cane in action for the All Blacks against the Pumas. Photo / Photosport
Sam Cane in action for the All Blacks against the Pumas. Photo / Photosport
All you need to know ahead of the All Blacks' clash against the Pumas in Newcastle
The All Blacks have made three changes to their starting lineup for Saturday's Tri Nations rematch against Argentina, retaining an unchanged backline and most of the lineup which slumped to an historic loss tothe Pumas two weeks ago.
Akira Ioane will start on the blindside flank, Nepo Laulala comes in at tighthead prop and Scott Barrett replaces Patrick Tuipulotu in the second row in a selection which suggests fine-tuning rather than a decisive response to recent defeats.
Argentina has been far more bold, making 10 changes to the team which drew 15-15 with Australia last weekend and naming lock Lucas Paulos to make his test debut.
Nicolas Sanchez, who has scored 40 points in two Tri Nations matches from a try, a conversion and 11 penalties, remains at first five-eighths but will combine with a new partner at halfback, Felipe Ezcurra.
In a backline shakeup, Emiliano Boffelli is at fullback, Ramiro Moyano and Santiago Cordero on the wings and Jeronimo del la Fuenta and Juan Cruz Mallia in midfield.
Captain Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer will combine with Facundo Isa in the backrow. Paulos joins Guido Petti in the second row while Mayco Vivas and Santiago Medrano will prop the scrum.
The All Blacks, particularly head coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane, have been under heavy pressure after the team's first back-to-back losses in nine years. A win in Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Saturday might still be enough to allow New Zealand to win the Tri-Nations title. A loss will endanger Foster's job, with public opinion already strongly against him.
"We've had a great week building into what will be a vital test for us," Foster said. "It's exciting in the sense that we have the opportunity to redeem ourselves after our last game and we also have the opportunity to win the Tri-Nations.
"There's a real determination in the team to perform well, not only for ourselves but also our families and friends at home and our country."
Sam Cane in action for the All Blacks against the Pumas. Photo / Photosport
Ioane was named ahead of Shannon Frizell in an effort to add another ball carrier and some punch at the breakdown. The All Blacks failed to make a single line break in their 25-15 loss to Argentina in Sydney two weeks ago and seldom even made the gain line. The Pumas followed up with a 15-15 draw against Australia last weekend in Newcastle.
Barrett is a risky selection because of his poor disciplinary record, receiving a yellow card in the All Blacks' 24-22 loss to Australia a week before the defeat by the Pumas. The All Blacks discipline has been poor in recent matches and Barrett will be under pressure to keep a cool head in Newcastle.
One-test utility Will Jordan has been included on the bench along with Tuipulotu, whose demotion follows a poor performance in the first match against Argentina.
Powerful backrower Hoskins Sotutu has been left on the bench, despite calls for his addition to the starting lineup to also inject some power into New Zealand's ball carrying game. Foster's selection may be seen as an admission he has few players he can inject to immediately lift the team's performance.
Beauden Barrett has been retained at fullback, though his form has been well below his best. His brother Jordie Barrett, named out of position on the right wing, appears a better fullback on current form.
Saturday's test will be the All Blacks' last in 2020 and might also be Foster's last if they lose again. His record in his five matches as head coach since his appointment in December is two wins, two losses and a draw.
The standard of the All Blacks' performances over the last two weeks has been sheeted home to Foster, and Cane has also faced criticism for his lack of leadership. He made matters worse when he responded to criticism of the team's performance by suggesting All Blacks fans know nothing about rugby.
Match details:Saturday 28 November, 9.45pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu, T.J. Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan.
Argentina: Emiliano Boffelli, Ramiro Moyano, Juan Cruz Mallia, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Santiago Cordero, Nicolas Sanchez, Felipe Ezcurra; Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (captain), Lucas Paulos, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas.
Reserves: Santiago Socino, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Lucio Sordoni, Matías Alemanno, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Lucas Mensa.
Match history
Played: 30 Won: All Blacks 28, Drawn 1, Argentina 1 Last time: Argentina 25, All Blacks 15 (14 November 2020)
The Herald will provide live updates, and will have live interactive player ratings. You can catch live commentary of the match on Newstalk ZB, Gold AM and iHeartRadio.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 9pm. ACC commentary will be available via the yellow button on Sky. If you want to watch the match online, you can stream the game live on Sky Sport Now.
