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Good news and ominous news for All Blacks fans. The good news is that Sunday morning’s 42-12 win over the Pumas in Mendoza was about as good a start to the season that they could have hoped for, with a host of excellent performances across the board.
The ominous news? Think back 12 months and you can replace ‘Argentina’ with ‘Ireland’ after the All Blacks’ 42-19 win at Eden Park. While the headlines were very similar to the past few days about how good it was to get off the mark in style, events that followed proved very much that one swallow doesn’t make a summer. So in this case one test win over a scratchy Pumas side doesn’t automatically right the wrongs of the past few years.
But back to the good stuff. The one thing the All Blacks seem to have always possessed more than other Test playing nations is the ability to kill a game off before the opposition even knows what’s happened, and they showed it in Mendoza. It really felt like a continuation of the beat down they gave the Pumas in Hamilton after the Argentinean’s landmark win on NZ soil last year – that’s now 95 points for the All Blacks in the last two meetings and it’s obvious they are in no mood to create any more unwanted history.
The trope of talking about scrums whenever Argentina is mentioned is about as dated as four point tries, but the All Black version on the weekend is worth mentioning. Jason Ryan’s influence on the forwards has clearly moved past the beta testing stage and to have the set piece humming early is a good sign.
That’s especially since Josh Lord was playing only his third match in a year, depth at lock is an issue right now so it was pleasing to see the Chiefs player look comfortable in what could have been a tricky assignment.
It wasn’t, in the end, due in part to the Pumas being clearly scratchy after only assembling last week. There is enough talent in that side to improve in time for the World Cup, maybe even for this weekend when they face a Wallabies side that was pumped by almost the same score line by the Springboks in Pretoria.
Which makes for an intriguing Test this Saturday night. It will be the first time the Boks have played in Auckland for a decade, and the first time ever at Mt Smart Stadium. The traditional home of rugby league in New Zealand has been pressed into service for the test because of the FIFA Women’s World Cup taking ownership of Eden Park, switching the locale from gentrified Kingsland to depressing and industrial Penrose. Mt Smart is a perfectly fine venue when it’s full up, but don’t expect any amenities in the area post-match other than a nearby McDonalds or an array of hydraulic repair service shops.
Head coach Ian Foster talks to media during a New Zealand All Blacks training session at Mt Smart Stadium. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
For all the good that the All Blacks did in that opening win, there really should be a question asked over why Foster decided to take all 36 squad members to Mendoza and back. The travel means they’ve lost a day in the buildup and really for no discernible gain other than the blokes that didn’t play got a decent feed of Argentinean beef.
Meanwhile, the Boks have flown in half their side last Friday. With no Eden Park factor, a long trip and a short buildup, it could be argued that the All Blacks have done their best to replicate an away game in the most successful city they play in.
Who is the best option at first five? Damian McKenzie put in a pretty good case for it to be him in Argentina, while the dynamic between him and Beauden Barrett looked promising. It’s not long before Foster has to make a call and stick with it for the World Cup – although maybe he’s already done it. If it’s any consolation, Jacques Nienaber might be having the same issue picking between Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok.
In fairness, the Mendoza win was a lot more rounded than the corresponding fixture last year against Ireland, a match won by the All Blacks with an eerily similar score line. But within a fortnight that result was long gone, replaced with two embarrassing and complete defeats to the men in green, and calls for Foster’s employment status to be erased immediately.
This is another tough start to the season for the All Blacks. A win against the Boks will tell us a lot more about this side’s fortitude, while a loss will once again see the dark clouds forming. If the All Blacks can’t win at home this season, what chance are they going to have in France?
Finally, a word on Sam ‘The Karate Kid’ Cane’s post-match actions dealing with a pitch invader who turned out to be a 14-year-old boy, which has overshadowed the performance somewhat. Using a bit of (Sweep The) Leg Theory evoked memories of Richie McCaw dealing to portly Afrikaner Pieter van Zyl all those years ago in Durban, and thankfully SANZAAR don’t decide to do anything about Cane’s post-match red mist moment. Because really, it was too funny to be taken particularly seriously.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.