[2016 Rugby Championship] New Zealand v Argentina (10/09/2016)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: FMG Stadium,Hamilton
Time: 09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Referee: Craig Joubert

Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner & Marius Mitrea
TMO: George Ayoub​

 

[Every Time Ref]

Big test for Los Pumas, looking forward to seeing it. Very unlikely to win but would like to see them keep it competitive.

 

[Shaggy]

Big test for Los Pumas, looking forward to seeing it. Very unlikely to win but would like to see them keep it competitive.

Well, they've been competitive in both of the tests they've played so far in the RC, but to win in NZ is a big ask for them.

Looking forward to seeing who is picked for both sides; judging by the players released to play Mitre 10 cup, or, more specifically, those that weren't, the All Black side should be pretty much the same as the one that played Australia (maybe Ryan Crotty will return)

 

[Every Time Ref]

Well, they've been competitive in both of the tests they've played so far in the RC, but to win in NZ is a big ask for them.

Looking forward to seeing who is picked for both sides; judging by the players released to play Mitre 10 cup, or, more specifically, those that weren't, the All Black side should be pretty much the same as the one that played Australia (maybe Ryan Crotty will return)

They've also been relatively competitive against NZ in the past, even away. They haven't had a bumming like Aus got the last couple of tests sicne joinging the RC that I remember

 

[nickdnz]

They've also been relatively competitive against NZ in the past, even away. They haven't had a bumming like Aus got the last couple of tests sicne joinging the RC that I remember

Well, they lost 54-15 in 2012,

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Well, they've been competitive in both of the tests they've played so far in the RC, but to win in NZ is a big ask for them.

Looking forward to seeing who is picked for both sides; judging by the players released to play Mitre 10 cup, or, more specifically, those that weren't, the All Black side should be pretty much the same as the one that played Australia (maybe Ryan Crotty will return)

I hope to not see Crotty return. Realistically the All Blacks will win no matter who they have out there, so get ALB some real experience.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Well, they lost 54-15 in 2012,

Soon as I wrote it I knew I hadn't done my due diligence and someone would come up with one...

 

[The Jones Boy]

The Pumas are a tough outfit and they know how to work their set pieces and take their kicks.
It's a big ask but they relish these opportunities and they always come to play.
If you want to be the best you have to test yourself against the best.
The Pumas are becoming renowned for being a really tough team at home, now they need to start to show that they can carry that mantle away from Argentina.

 

[nzlizard]

Would like to see ALB stay at 12 if I could, he played really well there and another solid performance could give the selectors some things to think about.

I expect the team to be the same as the last test barring any injury replacements.

 

[ari_ale]

We have to remember the last game in the RWC 2015. That was a very tough match for NZ.

Is true that this is another team but now they have the experience of the super rugby.

 

[FNS]

Pumas don´t have the ability to overcome a result against AB. So they must try to reach 70min mark ahead or at least losing by 7 tops to have any chances.

On they other hand, i could not give a damn about this game since AB are in another level. I wished we played Aussies in this round.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I think a fit Pumas side could have put in a stronger performance in NZ than Oz did and could even have challenged what is a NZ side (in Argentina) with a few players whose club form hasn't been great (e.g. Daggs & Savea) . But the injuries the Pumas picked up make an already difficult task to be competitive near impossible. I don't think it'll be a massacre though and if Sanchez can play I can see Argentina picking up a couple of tries, but losing by 18-21 points. I continue to be super impressed by Hourcade. His CV is very unconventional and makes it difficult to gauge his ability, but I rate him as an absolutely top coach in the international scene (I'd rank him only behind Hansen, Jones & Schmidt). It's incredible how much more resilient the Pumas look compared to the Jaguares when the only things that have changed are the strips and the coach. The fact they are so damn entertaining to watch is just the cherry on the top.

Whatever happens, the match just won't be the same without someone posting to berate Lavinini! Hopefully Moroni plays so we can see some Argentine fan abuse of their own players!

 

[TheOvalBall]

Another boring win for the AB's.

 

[Shaggy]

I hope to not see Crotty return. Realistically the All Blacks will win no matter who they have out there, so get ALB some real experience.

I think if the competition was wrapped up already, they'd probably give ALB another crack, but I think they see Crotty and Fekitoa as the incumbents and the most experienced, fit, combination.

ALB has done well to leap frog Tamanivalu, but we still have Moala coming back shortly, Ngatai, who many want to get an opportunity when he recovers from concussion, and of course, SBW, way down the track, after he recovers from his injury.

I think if there's any position where the cupboard is bare/there is an opportunity for new players, it's probably on the wing, where NMS and Naholo both still injured, the likes of Reiko Ioane are only one injury away from a start.

 

[TheOvalBall]

Hansen should maybe completely change the team, and let the rest of the group be the starting 23. After all, you should have confidence in all your players to get the job done.

 

[Shaggy]

Hansen should do the smart thing and completely change the team, and let the rest of the group be the starting 23. Afterall, you should have confidence in all your players to get the job done.

I think that's more likely further down the track TBH, the goals for the AB's this year are to retain the Bledisloe (done), and to win the RC (not achieved yet). When you consider the likes of Barrett, Crotty, and Fekitoa are all really still pretty new as starting options, and are still ironing out how they want to play the game (asserting their style), and we have a world class wing that is struggling to find form, you can understand the rationale behind starting these guys.

 

[nzlizard]

Foster said it on the news the other night, building combinations and continuity of play is the first focus, getting new players in the environment and test rugby is a close second.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

ALL BLACKS: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor , Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Luke Romano, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Anton Lienert-Brown

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Well that's a fairly boring team, all thing considered

 

[Shaggy]

Well that's a fairly boring team, all thing considered

Well ... fairly predictable anyway.

Interesting that they have gone for a specialist lock on the bench, and that it's Romano, and not Tuipulotu