ALL BLACKS v ARGENTINA, 2nd Test

All Blacks

EDEN PARK AUCKLAND NZ. SATURDAY AUGUST 17th, 2024

All Blacks Coach Scott Robertson Admits Team Strayed from Game Plan in Argentina Defeat

Scott Robertson’s admission the All Blacks had strayed from their game plan during the defeat to Argentina last weekend was proof, if ever it was needed, that the team had blundered down a blind alley and discovered the exit path was blocked by a bunch of big South American lads in blue and white jerseys.

Robertson Calls Out Differences Between Training and Performance

All Blacks coach Robertson said ,what we are training, and what we are doing are two different things.

Scott Robertson Makes Key Changes to All Blacks Starting XV

In addition to bringing Cane onto the bench for Wallace Sititi, Robertson made four changes to the starting XV from Sky Stadium, one of which was forced by injury.

Cane’s Return and Leadership in Focus

Coach Scott Robertson wants Cane’s experience on the park in the closing stages this weekend – a move that comes after a lack of composure late-on was evident in last weekends loss to Argentina, 38-30.

Cane’s Return Special After Injury and Surgery

Since the Rugby World Cup, after suffering an injury during his first season in Japan, Cane has also had to undergo back surgery, making his return to the black jersey that little bit more special.

All Blacks Leadership and Team Changes

Cane’s fellow loose forward Ardie Savea will lead the All Blacks for the second test in a row this Saturday, with hooker Codie Taylor and second-five Jordie Barrett the two vice-captains.

Prop Ethan de Groot is out with a neck issue and has been replaced by Tamaiti Williams, while Rieko Ioane is in at centre for Anton Lienert-Brown and Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan replace Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece on the wings.

All Blacks

Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea (c), Dalton Papali’i, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams; 

Reserves.  Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a.

Argentina Names Team for Historic Test

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named his team as Los Pumas chase back-to-back wins over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil for the first time.

In a re-shuffle, last week’s openside Marcos Kremer moves into the second row as Juan Martin Gonzalez switches from No 8 to openside. Joaquin Oviedo will pack down at No 8.

Hooker Julien Montoya returns to the side to start and captain the side, while Ignacio Ruiz returns to the bench and last week’s inspirational performer Agustin Creevy drops out of the 23.

Argentina

1. GALLO , Thomas, 2. MONTOYA, Julian, 3. SORDONI, Lucio, 4. KREMER , Marcos, 5. RUBIOLO , Pedro, 6. MATERA , Pablo, 7. GONZALEZ, Juan Martin
8. OVIEDO, Joaquin, 9. BERTRANOU , Gonzalo, 10. CARRERAS, Santiago
11. CARRERAS, Matthew, 12. CHOCOBARES, Santiago, 13. CINTI, Lucio
14. MORONI, Matthias, 15. MALLÍA, Juan Cruz

Reserves. 16. RUIZ, Ignacio, 17. VIVAS, Mayco, 18. SCLAVI , Joel
19. MOLINA, Franco, 20. LAVANINI , Tomás, 21. BAZAN VELEZ , Lautaro
22. ALBORNOZ , Thomas, 23. DELGUY, Bautista

Referee, Andrea Piardi (FIR), Assistant Referees, Angus Gardner (RA),

Nic Berry, RA), TMO, Marius Jonker (SARU)

Will an Inexperienced Italian Referee Affect the Game?

This could be a boring game with an inexperienced Italian referee in control.

All Blacks Look to Bounce Back After Last Week’s Defeat

All Blacks for me, after last weeks defeat they will not want to lose this one.

AUSTRALIAN WALLABIES v SPINGBOKS. OPTUS STADIUM,PERTH

Springboks Strong Favorites Against Rebuilding Wallabies

Despite Rassie Erasmus being forced to defend making ten changes to his starting XV, the Springboks once again start as strong favourites against Schmidt’s rebuilding side.

That’s no surprise given the Springboks still have 14 World Cup winners in their 23, including all eight bench replacements, but it shows the embarrassment of riches Erasmus has up his sleeve that he can upend his team and still bring in such quality like Lukhanyo Am.

Springbok

Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handré Pollard.

Wallabies, 1. Angus Bell, 2. Josh Nasser ,3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) ,4. Angus Blyth , 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Harry Wilson , 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio , 11. Marika Koroibete , 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Len Ikitau , 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Tom Wright .

Reserves. 16. Billy Pollard, 17. James Slipper ,18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Tom Hooper , 20. Seru Uru,

21. Tate McDermott , 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Max Jorgensen.

Referee. Paul Williams (NZR), Assistant Referees, Luke Pearce (RFU), Hollie Davidson (SRU)

TMO.  Richard Kelly (NZR)

Springbok for me. Too big and tough right across the paddock.

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