New Zealand
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Argentina
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The Pumas will make their Tri Nations debut today when they take on the All Blacks in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores of the game from 5:10pm (AEDT).
After months variously quarantining, traveling, quarantining again, training and living in a COVID-safe bubble, Argentina will finally make it out onto the paddock for a game of Test rugby for the first time in more than a year.
Their last Test came some 13 months ago when they hosed the USA at last year’s World Cup – needless to say today will be a much, much tougher ask.
The All Blacks are smarting after last week’s loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane and have reverted to what looks to be Ian Foster’s first-choice XV. Richie Mo’unga takes the number ten jersey back, pushing Beauden Barrett to fullback and his brother Jordie onto the wing.
Caleb Clarke returns on the other wing, Jack Goodhue is back in the centres, and Aaron Smith has reclaimed the number nine jersey.
There are changes in the forwards, too, with all of Joe Moody, Patrick Tuipulotu and Shannon Frizell back in the side.
For Los Pumas to take on a side that strong with only two warm-up games against Australia A under their belts is a huge test, even if they did win both of those matches.
However, there’s still some class about the side. Pablo Matera will captain the side from the back row, and the experienced Tomas Cubelli and Nicolas Sanchez are the halves.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Betting: New Zealand $1.05, Argentina $11
Teams
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Jordie Barrett, 15. Beauden Barrett
Replacements: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Damian McKenzie
Argentina
1. Tetaz, 2. Julian Montoya, 3. Francisco Gómez-Kodela, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Pablo Matera (c), 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Rodrigo Bruni, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 10. Nicolas Sánchez, 11. Juan Imhoff, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 13. Matias Orlando, 14. Bautista Delguy, 15. Santiago Carreras
Replacements: 16. Facundo Bosch, 17. Mayco Vivas, 18. Santiago Medrano, 19. Santiago Grondona, 20. Tomas Lezana, 21. Gonzalo Bertranou, 22. Lucio Cinti, 23. Santiago Cordero
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
covid?
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Didn’t he say something about them having lost their unbeatable aura after the draw in Bledisloe 1. Then came out and retracted that after the next two games. Now after the last two games he may rethink his rethought thoughts. Of coarse he can always come back after the next three games, with a rethought rethink of his previous rethought rethink, when the blecks have flogged the argies and the wobblies win one lose one and it turns out the allblecks are tri nations champions again. You with me?
Double Agent
Guest
Just pathetic.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, as far as I know, they haven’t been out of top three since they started rankings. Well, that has to be a wake up call for something to happen. They have to also get remember, ‘nothing changes until something changes.’
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
LOL! I gonna work on my manners, Paulo. Maybe describe the current situation like the Japanese Emporer did after two nuclear bombs had hit his country: "Recent events have not necessarily been positive for the development of Japan". Are NZ still even ranked second? No, they are down to third now. Another loss to Los Pumas and they could slip down another spot or two. That would be first-ever the AB's has been outside the top three?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Bro, you and I are good, but damn, you need to wash your mouth out if you keep saying shot like “AB’s are slipping”. :silly: Seriously though, the ABs are slipping, it’s pretty obvious. But I think it’s funny how the rankings work and the quirks of the system. Are NZ still even ranked second?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Funny how not playing makes you ‘better’. That is not what really has happened. No-one knows the quality of the Boks at the moment but we do know that the AB's are slipping and that shows in the ranking.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I think they can really make progress in South America. Get other nations good and promote the sport in places like Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay etc. Uruguay seemed to be improving dramatically.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough :silly: There could be an argument that given the global popularity of rugby, increasing participation rates, and success and the size of the RWC, that Rugby might also be seen as a world sport - what ever that actually means.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Ok, basketball then, two legitimate world sports.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Not sure about soccer being the only legitimate team sport. But completely agree the rankings are a joke. It’s hard to say they should be on hold though. Argentina just beat the ABs and they should get credit for that. It’s tough one and not an easy solution.
Micko
Roar Rookie
And they always make these hilariously snide comments about "doing all the work".
Micko
Roar Rookie
The rankings are a joke in that if you bail out you shouldn't be advantaged. And it should be on hold anyway. Give everyone 12-18 months to deal with the pandemic. Rankings are overrated anyway. Cricket media wants to talk it up all the time, and I can't understand why. Only soccer should have rankings as it's the only legitimate world team sport.
Double Agent
Guest
Has he kicked a penalty into touch in goal two weeks in a row?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Leadership is an issue for the ABs, think it needs to be addressed.
Mike
Roar Rookie
I was impressed with Montoya as well
Mike
Roar Rookie
They must search for the new messiah at 10 :happy:
Mike
Roar Rookie
Gardner had much better control over this match then Berry did over Bled 4. Gardner was in the face of both sides early, telling them what he expected and shutting down any sign of niggle.
Double Agent
Guest
The Maestro?
Double Agent
Guest
"I would walk in to any battle with Matera and Kremer besides me" Me too. Except I'd be behind them.