All Blacks v. Argentina: Hansen unveils his mounga just before Te Wiki O Te Reo

[cashead]

Both teams go into this game off the back of the win, but there is a stark difference in form going into the tournament. Argentina have been struggling for a while now, and their win over an out-of-sorts Springbok side at home was their first win of significance in quite some time.

The All Backs go into this game in devastating form, but Hansen has chosen this game as an opportunity to tinker with his side a bit. This means that Ben Smith moves into his preferred spot at fullback, Milner-Skudder returns to test rugby at 14, and a new-look halfback pairing in TJ Perenara who gets a rare start at 9 and Richie Mo'unga, who has been given an opportunity to impress at 10. In the forwards, Sam Cane is given a rest - probably the right call due to his concussion last round - Ardie Savea at 7, with Karl Tui'nukuafe getting the nod at 1 to take Moody's spot. In the second row, Sam Whitelock takes a breather on the bench with Scott Barrett starting at 5, while Big Shan Frizell gets his second start (and cap) at 6 after appearing against France earlier this year.

Tim Perry will ride the pine at 17, with Luke Whitelock getting the 20 jersey. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi finally gets his chance as well, with a potential first cap off the bench.

On the Argentine end, Ledesma has made a few changes, with Tetaz Chapparo moving over the tighthead side after starting at 1 last round, with Garcia Botta being elevated to the starting XV at loosehead. Pablo Matera is also demoted to the bench, making way for Lezana.
In the backline, Martin Landajo starts at halfback, while Jeronimo de la Fuente and Bautista Ezcurra swap places, with the former starting at 12 and the latter moving to the bench.

All Blacks
1. Karl Tu'inukuafe
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Scott Barrett
6. Shannon Frizzel
7. Ardie Savea
8. Kieran Read (C)
9. TJ Perenara
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. Waisake Naholo
12. Ngani Laumape
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
15. Ben Smith

16. Nathan Harris
17. Tim Perry
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Sam Whitelock
20. Luke Whitelock
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Damian McKenzie
23. Anton Lienert-Brown


Argentina
1. Santiago Garcia Botta
2. Agustin Creevy (C)
3. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
4. Guido Petti Pagadizaval
5. Tomas Lavanini
6. Tomas Lezana
7. Marcos Kremer
8. Javier Ortega Desio
9. Martin Landajo
10. Nicolas Sanchez
11. Ramiro Moyano
12. Jeronimo de la Fuente
13. Matias Moroni
14. Bautista Delguy
15. Emiliano Boffelli

16. Julian Montoya
17. Juan Pablo Zeiss
18. Gaston Cortes
19. Matias Alemanno
20. Pablo Matera
21. Tomas Cubelli
22. Bautista Ezcurra
23. Juan Cruz Mallia

[morepork]

Funny old match. Front row stocks looking good for the immediate future. Midfield too looking good, if poor old Crotty is fit and healthy. Goodhue looks a natural in the black shirt. Sort of a more polite Kahui, without the injury worries. TJ looking fantastic. What's the word on young Tahuriorangi? Long way off, but seems another chirpy all action 9 with a sweet pass? Bit worried about Bin Smuff getting smacked in the head again. Pumas starting to bear the fruits of counter attack as an alternative to paint by numbers, finally.

[Puja]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

[Lizard]

Credit to the Pumas. No one has scored more v the All Blacks since August 2017.

[paddy no 11]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

Quality back 3 alright, Ireland will be getting a little nervous too, Los Pumas still need to find a couple of monsters in the front row

[Puja]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

Quality back 3 alright, Ireland will be getting a little nervous too, Los Pumas still need to find a couple of monsters in the front row

Well, they've got four or five decent props scattered around England and France, which is even more upsetting to contemplate.

When might Ireland face them in the RWC? Is it semis?

Puja

[Lizard]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

Quality back 3 alright, Ireland will be getting a little nervous too, Los Pumas still need to find a couple of monsters in the front row

Well, they've got four or five decent props scattered around England and France, which is even more upsetting to contemplate.

When might Ireland face them in the RWC? Is it semis?

Puja

Assuming Ireland top Pool A over Scotland, and the Pumas beat France into second place in Pool of Death C, then they can meet in the semifinals. Ireland would probably have to beat NZ or SA in the QF, Arg would have Aust or Wales.

[cashead]

Of course, Ireland need to clear the quarterfinal hurdle first to begin with.

[Lizard]

Of course, Ireland need to clear the quarterfinal hurdle first to begin with.

Apart from the grim weight of history, there is no reason why Ireland can’t beat South Africa On current form

[cashead]

Of course, Ireland need to clear the quarterfinal hurdle first to begin with.

Apart from the grim weight of history, there is no reason why Ireland can’t beat South Africa On current form

There was no reason why they couldn't beat Argentina in 2015 based on pre-tournament form. Just sayin'.

[Numbers]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

From the state of their team on the Wales summer tour they don't look to clever at all, beaten by a Wales second string and also beaten handsomely by the Scots 44-15, they do have the players you mention and more to add quality to the side (Isa would be a huge boost), do they change their selection policy for World Cups?

This article would appear to suggest that they should have the European based players for the current RC but I haven't seen any of them to date.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/uar-let- ... ent-pumas/

[Puja]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

From the state of their team on the Wales summer tour they don't look to clever at all, beaten by a Wales second string and also beaten handsomely by the Scots 44-15, they do have the players you mention and more to add quality to the side (Isa would be a huge boost), do they change their selection policy for World Cups?

This article would appear to suggest that they should have the European based players for the current RC but I haven't seen any of them to date.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/uar-let- ... ent-pumas/

The selection policy changed in the summer because of their embarrassments against Wales and Scotland A. They have got the option to call up European players this RC, but have chosen not to cause they don't want to upset players with French clubs. For the RWC, when there's a big lead in to get players reintegrated, they're going to be picking world-wide.

Puja

[Numbers]

I am very worried about what Argentina will look like in 2019 when they get the likes of Isa, Cordero, and Imhoff back.

Puja

From the state of their team on the Wales summer tour they don't look to clever at all, beaten by a Wales second string and also beaten handsomely by the Scots 44-15, they do have the players you mention and more to add quality to the side (Isa would be a huge boost), do they change their selection policy for World Cups?

This article would appear to suggest that they should have the European based players for the current RC but I haven't seen any of them to date.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/uar-let- ... ent-pumas/

The selection policy changed in the summer because of their embarrassments against Wales and Scotland A. They have got the option to call up European players this RC, but have chosen not to cause they don't want to upset players with French clubs. For the RWC, when there's a big lead in to get players reintegrated, they're going to be picking world-wide.

Puja

Thanks for the info', they should be a decent force come World Cup time in that case, they do seem to lift themselves at World Cups as well so it will be interesting to see.

[paddy no 11]

Ireland had Dave Kearney on the wing in 2015 and heaslip and loads of hot air they're a bit more substantial this time round

Schmidt is playing keep ball like Jake white and Woodward before him

[paddy no 11]

Argentina back 3 magic

81kg