The All Blacks are out for redemption against Argentina on Saturday night in Newcastle following their shock Tri Nations loss to the Pumas earlier this month.
Playing their final Test of the series before returning home to New Zealand, the All Blacks have made three changes to the starting side which crashed to a 25-15 defeat – their first ever against Argentina.
It also came a week after the Kiwis were beaten 24-22 by the Wallabies in Brisbane in rare back-to-back defeats.
Prop Nepo Laulala replaces Tyrel Lomax in the starting side while Scott Barrett will partner Sam Whitelock in the second row, relegating Patrick Tuipulotu to the bench.
Akira Ioane will start in the No.6 jersey ahead of Shannon Frizell after his Test debut against Australia in Brisbane was cut short after a teammate’s red card forced a pack reshuffle.
Foster opted to give the bulk of the line-up from the loss a chance to redeem themselves, while they also have a chance to claim the Tri Nations with all teams on six points.
“We’ve had a great week building into what will be a vital Test for us,” he said.
“It’s exciting in the sense that we have the opportunity to redeem ourselves after our last game, and we also have the opportunity to win the Tri Nations.”
Los Pumas, meanwhile, have made a massive ten changes to their starting XV for the crucial clash.
Mayco Vivas and Santiago Medrano have come into the front row, Lucas Paulos is Guido Petti’s new partner at lock, and Facundo Isa joins Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer in the loose trio.
In the backline, Felipe Ezcurra comes into scrumhalf, while his halves partner Nicolas Sanchez is the only back to keep his place in the side. Santiago Cordero, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Cruz Mallia, Ramiro Moyano and Emiliano Boffelli make up the rest of the run-on team.
Argentina (1-15)
Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya, Santiago Medrano, Guido Petti, Lucas Paulos, Pablo Matera (c), Marcos Kremer, Facundo Isa, Felipe Ezcurra, Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Cordero, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Cruz Mallia, Ramiro Moyano, Emiliano Boffelli
Bench: Santiago Socino, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Lucio Sordoni, Matias Alemanno, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Lucas Mensa
New Zealand (1-15)
Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Akira Ioane, Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Caleb Clarke, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Beauden Barrett
Bench: Codie Taylor, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan
With staff writers
Flyman
Roar Rookie
That depends on how you read it :laughing:
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
It was a joke dude. Didn't you see the ha ha?
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
It was a joke dude. Didn't you see the ha ha?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Spot on Gloria. You called it. Legit!
Doubtful......korobiete is one of the Wallabies quickest...
Diesel
Guest
He played well in games 1 and 2 granted but MIA last 2 and half games. Picked as AB captain when he couldn’t even make the starting team for our biggest game in the last 4 years against England in the semi final. If he is there for leadership then why are we getting penalised off the park with silly slaps and nil discipline. Anyway he doesn’t need your approval because you are just a fan and he doesn’t think fans know FA anyway.
Double Agent
Guest
There are wingers out there that would've beaten Korobiete to the ball and got a try.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Foster won’t be at the next RWC so we still might
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Bit tough blaming Cane for others inability to step up, especially as he has been so good
WEST
Roar Guru
We’ll see how it goes later today my bro
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yes, that’s right. It’s an interesting situation when the best win % of s 3-team comp is 50%. Any team that can actually find a way to win will be doing well.
moaman
Roar Guru
Agree on Perenara. At first glance I thought because he was covering 9 and 10, but as there are other 10 options at a pinch, why not give Weber another crack? Cane has been outstanding. Ardie Savea is the one who should be on the bench.
joker_in_the_pack
Roar Rookie
I agree that Hoskins Sotutu should be in the team that takes the field. Exactly how the pack is changed to fit him in, I'm not sure, but he has been a standout whenever he has had game time. After the departure of Owen Franks, New Zealand has struggled to find someone to replace him. That problem continues. New Zealand winning by 20? I really doubt that margin. They may struggle and win, much in the same way that they beat France 8-7 in the 2011 World Cup final. Argentina can smell a trophy now, and with the added emotional boost from the death of Diego Maradona, they will play their hearts out to win.
joker_in_the_pack
Roar Rookie
I don't think Argentina had any choice but to ring the changes; remember, they have already played two games on the trot and have to last for another one after this week. But it's important to note that the changes have involved players like Facundo Isa who was very much part of the first XV. The same goes for Julian Montoya. And the two players central to Argentina's showing in the first two games - captain Pablo Matera and standoff Nicolas Sanchez - are very much there. So I would not write off Argentina.
josei
Roar Rookie
This is no Puma B team ... Remember Isa, before he departed to France, he was even better than Matera. Moyano, he played SR 2019 as well as Delguy in attack, but with better defensive actions. Cordero has been playing in Exeter, now in France. Jero de la Fuente is one of the old Jaguares. Hope the AB play this game thinking they are playing to a B squad. Then we will have fun all of us.
Jose
Guest
Good to see Moyano back from the start, that guy was on fire in the Super Rugby 2019
Ex force
Guest
LP have the best win percentage of the 3 teams. If the AB win tomorrow they can also get to 50% this year.
dc
Guest
My view is that test rugby at the moment is tight, more defensive, almost rigid in that no one wants to make a mistake that could cost their team. I don't see Foster as being the coach with the skills and imagination to enable the All Blacks to evolve. His game plan options are limited. He picks players out of position, and persists with Hansen-era projects (Jordie at wing?). I guess he is bringing continuity to a stale game plan that has existed for a while now (since 2017). It's time to take a few risks and play Grace, Sotutu, Akira, Will Jordan, Aumua, Boshier, Tupou Vaa'i, David Havilli, Rene Ranger... Ok one of those names is a little joke, but we need some grunt up the middle.
SLOWFOX7
Roar Rookie
A realistic result would be Kiwis by 20, and all goes back to normality. But the pressure on ABs is enormous no matter how fancy a team they really are. They need to prove themselves. As far as Pumas are concerned, they don´t need to prove much. Against all odds this TN is their greatest success. As underdogs, their favourite standing, they just adore the challenge! They will be fierce and very motivated. Maradona´s passing will add a little extra drive. Maradona was a fan of Pumas, and of field hockey (Argentina´s female Hockey is generally on top of Aussies, NZ, GB, and even Holland...), because they always give their best. For the coming games Pumas´s discipline and defense will be essential. If they manage to frustrate ABs into mistakes, there will be chances for plenty of flair from the backs. Some of our players may not have much experience, are underrated, but there is a lot of talent all over the team. Rising stars don´t come out of thin air.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Thank you for clarifying. I doubt Kiwis want to lose 3 in a row even if it might fit an anti-Foster agenda