Can the Pumas achieve their first victory against the powerful All Blacks and join the exclusive list of teams that have achieved it?
The form
Argentina
Los Pumas played at a high level against the South Africans, defeating them in Salta and nearly doing so earlier in Nelspruit. Then came the hard tour of Australasia, where they were defeated by the All Blacks and then by the Wallabies.
Some Argentine players have shown great performances despite the results, and one of them is Facundo Isa who is challenging Kieran Read as the foremost no. 8 in the competition and, dare I say it, may be one of the best back rowers in the world.
Facundo Isa – one of the form no.8s in the world
New Zealand
Despite the departure of true legends as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu the All Blacks haven’t missed a beat and still dominate the world of rugby with new players who are performing at a high level.
They still play a like it’s a different sport in a higher-level competition and deserved to clinch the title in the fourth round with two to go.
Team news
Daniel Hourcade, the Pumas’ head coach has made three changes to face the All Blacks.
In the forwards Guido Petti returns to the second row, and Javier Ortega Desio moves over to flanker replacing Leguizamon.
In the backline, Martin Landajo rotates with Tomas Cubelli at scrumhalf, while while Ramiro Moyano starts on the wing replacing Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino. And finally, Jerónimo de la Fuente may play his first Rugby Championship game in 2016 from the bench.
Martin Landjado – back in the starting lineup
With the Rugby Championship in the bag All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made several changes to see some other players work under pressure.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu replaces Sam Whitelock in the second row, Ofa Tu’ungafasi comes onto the bench for Charlie Faumuina, and Liam Squire replaces the injured Jerome Kaino with Elliot Dixon coming into the reserves.
Scrummie TJ Perenara has deserved his elevation to the starting side with Aaron Smith becoming the handiest of reserves. Hansen has broken up his midfield combination; so Anton Lienert-Brown will start at centre, with Damian McKenzie becoming the super-sub in his probable debut from the bench.
The promoted All Blacks have already made Argentines suffer in Super Rugby and will aim to do the same in test rugby in their personal quest to become regular players in the famous side.
TJ Perenara – has deserved his chance to start the game
The last time they met
Los Pumas played brilliantly for 50 minutes in Hamilton before fading in the last half hour, something they have done too often in the 2016 Rugby Championship; they will have to turn that around this time.
The last time they met in Argentina was at the Estadio Unico de La Plata in 2014 when the All Blacks defeated the Argies 34-13. The Kiwis dominated the game from start to finish and they can’t be allowed to do that again either.
Kieran Read – has a challenger
Key players and match-ups
Back row v backrow
This is the best unit of the Argentine team although it may not as potent without Leguizamon starting; but since the All Blacks don’t have Kaino and Cane starting there could be a sniff of superiority there. Whatever – the comparison of Facundo Isa and Kieran Read will be as absorbing as it was last time.
Front row v front row
It was a good contest in Hamilton and this should be no different with the scrum battle being on again. One thing for sure: none of the other five front-rowers on the park will backhand the ball to supports as adeptly as Argentina captain and hooker, Augustin Creevy, will be.
Augustin Creevy – loves a backhander
Offloading
Argentina are relatively new practitioners of the offloading game but they seen to have a natural instinct for it. They still don’t have the ability of the All Blacks of getting in place early when there is a turnover opportunity, and they don’t appear just in time to support as the Black Riders do—and neither does any other team—but they do have some magic moments.
It will be interesting to find out if they can take another step up in this attribute of the game in Buenos Aires.
Prediction
The All Blacks are demonstrating in every game why they are considered the best team in the history of the sport. Over the seasons they have destroyed the Wallabies in Australia and then smashed the Springboks in South Africa, something that very few teams in rugby history have done.
Undoubtedly they are the team to beat and an Argentina win will be difficult unless they play their best for 80 minutes this time and not 50.
All Blacks by 15
Team lists & details
[one_third last=”no”]
Argentina
1. NT Chaparro
2. Agustin Creevy (c)
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Guido Petti
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Pablo Matera
7. JO Desio
8. Facundo Isa
9. Martin Landajo
10. Nicolas Sanchez
11. Ramiro Moyano
12. SG Iglesias
13. Matias Moroni
14. Santiago Cordero
15. Joaquin Tuculet
Reserves:
16. Julian Montoya
17. Lucas Noguera
18. Enrique Pieretto
19. JM Leguizamon
20. Leonardo Senatore
21. Tomas Cubelli
22. Jeronimo de la Fuente
23. Matias Orlando
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Squire
7. Ardie Savea
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Israel Dagg
15. Ben Smith
Reserves:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
19. Sam Whitelock
20. Elliot Dixon
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Lima Sopoaga
23. Damian McKenzie
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Details
Date: Saturday, October 1 (local)
Venue: Estádio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 17:10 local, 09:10 AEDT (Sunday)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)[/one_third]
