All Blacks: History counts for nothing in RWC

History counts for little for overwhelming favourites New Zealand as they prepare for any surprises Argentina will bring to their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

The Pumas finished third in the last tournament, and have run the All Blacks close in Tests on South American soil, including snatching a 21-21 draw in 1985.

However, they have lost the 12 other meetings between the countries, and all their defeats in New Zealand over the past quarter century have been by hefty margins.

But All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, who played in the draw in Buenos Aires, says the clash in Auckland on Sunday night stands on its own because of its status as a sudden-death World Cup quarter-final.

“The tournament is unique,” he told journalists on Saturday.

“It brings out a patriotism and nationalism that you don’t see in a lot of other Test matches.”

Still, the All Blacks look to have too much firepower overall against opponents noted for their scrummaging, lineout drives, tactical kicking and canny defensive structure.

In going through the pool phase with four comprehensive wins, the hosts notched up 240 points and 36 tries, more than any of the 19 other teams.

While they have lost star playmaker Dan Carter to a tournament-ending injury, they still have plenty of big-match experience, including at fullback, where Mils Muliaina will become the second All Black behind skipper Richie McCaw to earn 100th Test caps.

Smith expects the Pumas to bring their traditional physical game across the park and he believes breaking down the Pumas’ defence will be a challenge.

“They pick out which rucks to put people in and which not to,” he said.

“They scramble well, they cover the outside channels well.

“If you look at the last three World Cups, including this one, they probably have the best defensive record – if you take all three into account – of any nation.”

Smith is also wary of the kicking game of skipper and second five-eighth Felipe Contepomi, whom he has coached against at both club level in England and in internationals.

Now with French side Stade Francais, 34-year old Contepomi, a qualified surgeon, is one three Argentinians at their fourth World Cup, along with hooker Mario Ledesma and reserve prop Martin Scelzo.

“He’s tactically smart – he’s a smart man, isn’t he, he’s a doctor,” Smith said.

“He’s strategically outstanding as a rugby player, so you’ve got to expect that they’ll have something up their sleeve, something a wee bit different, and be able to cope with it.”

Smith also won’t be surprised if the Argentinian kickers target rookie winger Sonny Bill Williams, who has been moved from his usual midfield position to start out wide, where he has had game time previously this tournament.

It’s something most teams would have a go at, Smith says, but he’s confident Williams is up to whatever is thrown his way.

“He’s ready to go, he’s excited, he’s 100 per cent fit,” Smith said.

“I think he’ll be a handful.”

The All Blacks and the Pumas have met once before in a World Cup, in the pool stage of the inaugural tournament in New Zealand in 1987, with the home side winning 46-15 in Wellington.

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