Scott Robertson has handed his All Blacks forwards a chance for “redemption” after revamping his backline but leaving the pack nearly untouched to face Argentina this week.
Robertson on Thursday announced four starting changes for Saturday’s Test in Auckland, following last week’s shock loss to Los Pumas in Wellington, with former captain Sam Cane also included on the bench.
Three of the changes are in the outside backs, with Robertson making just one switch among the forwards as Tamaiti Williams replaced neck-injury victim Ethan de Groot.
“I think every All Black forward pack, after a result like that, it’s a chance for a bit of redemption. And, you know, they’ve owned it,” Robertson told reporters.
Prolific try-scorer Will Jordan replaces Sevu Reece on the right wing in his first Test start since last year’s World Cup, having undergone shoulder surgery.
Caleb Clarke takes over on the left wing from Auckland Blues teammate Mark Tele’a. Experienced Blues centre Rieko Ioane is being recalled in place of Anton Lienert-Brown.
Until De Groot’s injury, Robertson was planning to field the same starting forwards who were outplayed by the more committed Pumas pack last week.
“Look, we learned a lot last weekend, we all did. They’ve got to go and put it into action. That’s been our focus.”
De Groot joins an injury list that includes captain Scott Barrett (finger), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Stephen Perofeta (calf) and Luke Jacobson (hamstring).
Cane is recalled to the bench despite the 32-year-old flanker’s plan to retire from international rugby at the end of this year to take up a Japanese club contract with Suntory Sungoliath.
The 95-Test veteran’s last All Blacks appearance was as skipper in the World Cup final last October, when he was shown a red card for a high tackle in the 12-11 loss to South Africa in Paris.
Robertson said he wanted Cane to provide a sense of calm late in the game, something he felt was lacking in Wellington when the All Blacks squandered an early lead. They went on to suffer just their third loss to the South Americans in 38 meetings.
Cane was thrilled with a chance he thought may not come when a neck injury in January curtailed his season in Japan.
“A lot of hard work’s gone into getting back to this stage,” he said. “I always believed that I could and that I had plenty to offer. I still back my ability.”
The All Blacks were last beaten at Eden Park 30 years ago, with New Zealand having since racked up nearly 50 Test wins at the iconic venue.
Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images
