RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND TWO: All Black captain Ardie Savea said his New Zealand team has spent the week “looking in the mirror” as they chase revenge against Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
Victory over the Pumas on Saturday would reverse last week’s shock 30-38 defeat in Wellington and chalk up a 50th win for the All Blacks at Auckland’s Eden Park since New Zealand last lost there in 1994.
Savea batted away questions about the 30-year unbeaten run, saying distractions played a part in their defeat last week, only their third loss to the Pumas in 38 meetings.
“An All Blacks team does well when we’re clear, we know what we need to, we’re physical, and we’re light in the mind,” Savea told reporters.
“We’ve owned our performance and it starts with looking in the mirror. It hurts so hopefully we use that hurt for something good.”
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With wet weather forecast for the match, Savea said much of their focus this week had been on playing at the right end of the field, something they struggled to achieve against the ferocious Pumas defence.
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi acknowledged New Zealand’s 30 years of dominance at Eden Park and said his players would need to be mentally strong to overcome it.
Both of the Pumas’ previous wins over the All Blacks – in Sydney in 2020 and in Christchurch two years ago – were followed by heavy defeats to the motivated New Zealanders.
“It’s important how we reply, because the previous two occasions, I think the All Blacks were far the better team.
“They improved a lot from one game and we know they will improve for this game,” Contepomi said.
“And I know Eden Park probably will mean a lot for them but that’s only statistics – and stats are there to be broken.”
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Argentina has only played New Zealand once at Eden Park, when Contepomi was captain in a 2011 World Cup quarterfinal which they lost 10-33.
Both teams have made tweaks to their squads this week, including recalls for two influential veterans.
Argentina hooker and captain Julian Montoya will start his 98th Test after missing the Wellington encounter with injured ribs.
Former All Black skipper Sam Cane is on the bench in what is set to be his 96th international.
The 32-year-old is set to play his first Test since his sending off in the World Cup Final last October when New Zealand lost to South Africa in Paris.
Players to watch
For New Zealand: The All Blacks are looking a lot stronger in the wider channels for this weekend’s clash. Prolific try-scoring wing Will Jordan comes in for Sevu Reece on the right wing, while Caleb Clarke takes over on the left from Blues teammate Mark Tele’a. There will also be a spotlight on experienced Blues centre Rieko who is recalled in place of Anton Lienert-Brown. In the pack, Tamaiti Williams comes in at loosehead prop for Ethan de Groot, who has a neck injury. Former captain Sam Cane also stole the headlines after he was included on the bench for Saturday’s showdown.
For Argentina: Argentina have made three changes to their starting side, including the return of skipper Julian Montoya, who missed the first Test with a rib injury. Montoya reclaims the captaincy from flank Pablo Matera and demotes hooker Ignacio Ruiz to the bench, meaning there is no room in the squad for 39-year-old Agustin Creevy, who scored a decisive late try last week as a replacement. Glasgow prop Lucio Sordoni replaces Eduardo Bello while Perpignan No.8 forward Joaquin Oviedo is promoted from the bench. Keep an eye on flyhalf Santiago Carreras who was outstanding in open play during last weekend’s victory.
Prediction
@rugby365com: New Zealand by nine points.
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Julian Montoya (captain),1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Tomas Lavanini, 20 Franco Molina, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Bautista Delguy.
Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT; 04.05 ART)
Expected weather: There will be rain with strong winds and a temperature around 14°C.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
AFP & @rugby365com
