New Zealand
39
79
Argentina
0
| J. Barrett |  | 77 | ||
| J. Barrett |  | 69 | ||
| L. Jacobson |  | 69 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 47 | ||
| L. Jacobson | | 45 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 44 | ||
| D. Papalii | | 42 | ||
| S. Reece | | 36 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 33 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 10 | ||
| R. Ioane | | 9 |
| 5 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
New Zealand and Argentina clash in the first of today’s Rugby Championship double header on the Gold Coast from 5:05pm AEST.
The Bledisloe is safe and sound back in the trophy cabinet so the All Blacks will turn their attention to picking up another TRC bonus point win. For the Pumas, this is a chance to get their competition back on track and get some points on the ladder. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog starting from 4:50pm (AEST).
Ian Foster has made a handful of changes to his side that played well in Perth against the Wallabies last weekend. Up front, Asafo Aumua will get his first Test start at hooker and will be joined by new starter Karl Tu’inukuafe who is replacing George Bower.
Luke Jacobson will get his third Test start of 2021 as he replaces Ardie Savea at #8 and Akira Ioane at six and Dalton Papalii will join him in the back row. Ioane was in fine form last weekend and Foster will want him to show that he can deliver those top-quality performances week in, week out.
In the backs there aren’t too many changes but TJ Perenara will start with Weber on the bench. Outside him Beauden Barrett gets another start at fly half as his enthralling battle with Richie Mo’unga continues. George Bridge gets the nod on the left wing with Sevu Reece on the right.
Mario Ledesma meanwhile has made seven changes with Nicolas Sanchez getting a recall at fly half. Sanchez scored all 25 of the Puma’s points when they earned their only win ever over New Zealand last year in Sydney.
There are three more changes in the backs with Santiago Cordero and Bautista Delgay starting on the wings and Matias Moroni returning to the centres.
Up front, Facundo Gigena and Santiago Medrano come into the prop positions and Marcos Kremer joins the back row.
Prediction
This is the 32nd Test between these two and the All Blacks have won 29 of them. Come Sunday evening they will make this 30. The Pumas will be a more physical challenge than the Wallabies and the opening period will be brutal but the All Blacks will always have a couple of extra gears up their sleeves that they can slip into and pull away.
All Blacks by 18.
Game information
Venue: CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: New Zealand $1.04, Argentina $10.75 – odds via PlayUp
Referee: Nic Berry
Teams
New Zealand
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick (c), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. George Bridge, 12. David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Jordie Barrett,
Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Joe Moody, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Rieko Ioane
Argentina
1. Facundo Gigena. 2. Julian Montoya (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Rodrigo Bruni, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 11. Santiago Cordero, 12. Jeronimo De La Fuente, 13. Matias Moroni, 14. Bautista Delgay, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia,
Replacements:
16. Facundo Bosch, 17. Carlos Muzzio, 18. Enrique Pieretto, 19. Tomas Lavanini, 20. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21. Gonzalo Garcia, 22. Santiago Chocobares, 23. Emiliano Boffelli
What a way to start the test. Ouch!
WEST
Roar Guru
That hit by Laulala on Pablo Matera, Mirá vos!! More of that por favor!
Hate to admit it, but smart tactics by Fozzie to play blunt and bash-em up rugby against the Argies. I think the Abs have been guilty of playing to fancy without earning the right to do that in the past against them. I think they smashed em so much the Argies didn't have any energy to respond hence the '0' in score. Or it could be just the determined AB's defense. Asafo is one player, in super or NZ 20's that loves the contact, and he's good at it! So strong. Hurricanes style. Laulala played like someone threatened his family. So underrated that guy is, in scrum work and in defense. There's a reason why the Crusaders have him. :thumbup:
WEST
Roar Guru
I enjoyed that a lot! Real good collisions going on. The All Blacks have lacked that intensity for a long time. The defensive effort was very good all round. Back on their feet, back in position as soon as possible. Very well drilled and executed. Also noticed the ABs weren’t over committing at rucks whenever possible, while the Pumas poured in 4-5 players. The All Blacks withdraw quickly to create advantages. Basically, the ABs getting smarter on defence and attack. Still, hats off to Argentina’s defence, always physical and difficult to subdue. Another note, was how the ABs kept their composure and patience.. we had a tendency to get ahead of ourselves, force passes and compound phases to no reward. Team is maturing nicely
Faith
Roar Rookie
I really liked the direct play of the ABs - really showed Pumas the right amount of respect after the defeat last year.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Smart play. BP banked - long tour. What would be the point?
Faith
Roar Rookie
Pumas might need a good attack coach. Ledesma has brought a physical edge and structure but with Cordero, Montoya, Boffeli etc they should be showing more.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
HT Boks looking great
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I am not being hard on myself just the team :silly:
That first half Asafo and Laulala were absolute battering rams!
Nobrain
Roar Guru
They did not have the ball to kick.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thanks Rhys, and hope that the Wallabies go well and show pride in the jersey. It should be a great Test Match
Germán
Roar Rookie
And also, yes... there seems to be no attacking plan. I thought Nico Fernandez Miranda was the backs/attacking coach, but apparently he is water-guy-in-chief
WEST
Roar Guru
Don’t be so hard on yourself maddy.. it was a good win. Think about the leadership that was missing. Whitelock, A Smith, Ardie Savea. No Richie Mo'unga. Yeah the Pumas weren’t as fanatical as usual. But, the ABs did a good job on them. We’ll take the BP win
Germán
Roar Rookie
Some injuries did not help indeed (Boffelli coming back from injury, Miotti not recovering in time, Carreras/Isa out). Then, there are some mind-blowing selection calls from ML which don’t help to cover some systemic failures: we are paying not having developed better alternatives at 2, 9 and 10 in between 2015 and now. There might be youngsters coming (like García, who ended up playing centre today, and Mare/Albornoz), but they are not there yet. There is no clear alternative to Montoya at 2, specially if Creevy is deemed to be très passé by Ledesma.
wre01
Roar Guru
Why will the Boks struggle against the All Blacks: 1. The Boks kick possession away with 50/50 disposals. 2. The Boks wait for teams to make mistakes. The All Blacks make few mistakes. 3. The Boks try to play narrow. NZ won’t allow them to. 4. The Boks rely on set piece dominance. They won’t get it against NZ. I’m an Aussie, I have many British and Irish friends, all are supporting NZ. The game is more important than winning the springbok way.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Physicality was there though I thought, but you guys exceeded it to dominate possession, territory and pace in the game. Should be happy with it mate, good building block going into the Bok tests. Now, if only my Wallabies will start showing something! :crying: :silly:
Tony Harper
Editor
And here is the next live blog for the Wallabies v Boks
Tony Harper
Editor
Here's the match report with reaction
Ex force fan
Guest
Pumas lacked field position to attack from. AB defence was fantastic, maybe Puma should have kicked a little bit more.