Pumas v All Blacks II: can the juggernaut be stopped?

[Lizard]

Is there any chance that complacency (or even hubris) and rotation by the All Blacks, combined with home advantage and pride for the Pumas could end the All Blacks' current run of victories?

The loss of Kaino and Cane will be felt, with no experienced back up available. It also seems inevitable that at some point the All Blacks, with the trophy in the bag, will start to believe their own press and lose focus. The atmosphere at River Plate will be white hot with Argentine throwing everything at a first win over NZ.

On the other hand, given the All Blacks average margin of victory of 29.25 points in RC2016 so far, it will take some doing by the Pumas to even achieve their average home result v NZ - a 16 point loss (26 in RC matches).

[cashead]

Rotation hasn't really been Hansen's style has it? He's tended to tinker with the fringes and ease people in off the bench (case in point Dane Coles, who spent his first year having his time on the pitch increased incrementally). Even the new guys have been in or around the set-up for a while - Ardie Savea has been involved in the set-up for a couple of years before he even got an official call-up, and Elliot Dixon, who is probably going to start at 6, has been playing Super Rugby for 5 years and already had some international rugby under his belt via the Maori All Blacks. As Josh Kronfeld put it, the current All Blacks set-up is one that where the players do their homework first before they get a chance with the reins.

[zer0]

All Blacks team has been named:

1. Joe Moody (17)
2. Dane Coles (43)
3. Owen Franks (84)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (9)
5. Brodie Retallick (54)
6. Liam Squire (3)
7. Ardie Savea (6)
8. Kieran Read - captain (91)
9. TJ Perenara (23)
10. Beauden Barrett (43)
11. Julian Savea (47)
12. Ryan Crotty (21)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (3)
14. Israel Dagg (55)
15. Ben Smith (55)

16. Codie Taylor (8)
17. Wyatt Crockett (52)
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (1)
19. Samuel Whitelock (79)
20. Elliot Dixon (1)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (21)
22. Lima Sopoaga (3)
23. Damian McKenzie

As far as I can tell the squad contains two first-fives, two second-fives, three fullbacks, one winger and no specialist centre. Not ideal IMO. On the other hand, Damian McKenzie.

EDIT: And A.Smith is having a rest. I'm hoping/expecting that Perenara continues his good form, though am still ambivalent over Kerr-Barlow.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Good work. Thought he should rotate and he's done a bit. Just surprised he hasn't looked for an alternative to Crotty.

[rowan]

I think the Pumas might shock the All Blacks this weekend.

[Lizard]

That's a lot of movin' and shakin' for Shag. Whitelock is the only "Steady the ship" type senior player on the bench if it gets a bit wobbly.

[cashead]

I think the Pumas might shock the All Blacks this weekend.

Yeah, it might be a 20-point margin, rather than a 30-point one!

[Spy]

The All Blacks team looks good enough to win. It'll be interesting to see how Argentina go: they looked to have run out of puff against Australia, maybe road fatigue. Disappointing, as I thought they had a reasonable chance of winning that fixture. If they come out rejuvenated and playing like they did in the first 2 South Africa games, then we'll have a proper match.

[Lizard]

So the starting front 3 and starting back 3 are the only unchanged units.

Tu'ungafasi replaces Faumuina on the bench. I've been impressed with Charlie's efforts around the field but Tu'ungafasi needs a run.

In the locks, Hansen breaks his preferred Whitelock-Retallick-Romano triumvirate to give Tuipolutu not only a 10th cap but a 2nd start. Whitelock rides the pine for the 1st time this year, and only the 3rd time in 42 tests since the 2012 November tours. It is a good idea to blood a 4th lock, while maintaining the Coles-Retallick lineout axis.

Squire is the debutante starter in the loosies. A 4th test is pretty early for a start under this coaching regime but Kaino's absence (and Cane's) have forced the coaches' hand. Savea gets his 2nd start, right after his 1st. He has a decent shot at staking a claim as the first choice open side while Cane is out. The captain of course keeps his spot. Back-up is provided by Elliot Dixon, which is his first time off the bench.

TJ Perenara is rewarded with a 5th start in 24 tests while Aaron Smith has his first day off in a smidge over a year since Namibia at RWC2015. TKB, now clearly in 3rd place, has his 21st bench appearance and is still waiting for a 2nd start. Smith has been absolutely vital in the high-speed, accurate style of play the All Blacks have adopted. Not having him available if things don't click is, for me, a real concern.

King Beauden keeps his spot and continues his transition from super-sub (30 sub caps) to the best All Black 10 since, erm, Dan Carter. I suspect Foster is itching to get Lima Sopoaga some game time but will have to wait until Italy in November. The big money men can already smell Cruden as yesterday's man (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all- ... lub-report)

Mid-field roulette continues. Since RWC2015, NZ has fielded 5 different 12, 13 and sub cover combos. Only 2 of those combos have been used twice (Crotty, Fekitoa, Tamanivalu and Crotty, Fekitoa, Lienert-Brown). It's the first time Crotty and Lienert-Brown start together, and the cover plan is not entirely clear. Is Sopoaga covering 12? Or is someone else covering centre? I'm not thrilled with this. Defensively, it makes one of our few weaknesses even worse.

At the back, room is finally made for McKenzie presumably as FB cover, but at the expense of proper midfield cover. I'm pleased to see him get a go but the balance has been rooted.

[Spy]

Just watched Boks vs Australia. Quite enjoyed it. First half was good quality, second half was a dirty street fight. Strauss was outstanding.


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[cashead]

That certainly a rendition of the Argie national anthem.

[Spy]

Big gap up the ruck that time.

[Spy]

Good reward for pressure

[Spy]

Linert brown. I like the cut of his jib.


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[cashead]

Pumas aren't bad, but the All Blacks are swooping in on those split second chances.

And a third try as I was typing that.

[Spy]

That's some finish to a half. Three tries in less than 5 minutes. HT 29-3. Superb aggressive defence set the scene earlier in the half. Almost every time Argentina had the ball to play with they ended up going backwards.


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[cashead]

I think the Pumas might shock the All Blacks this weekend.

lol

[Spy]

ALB having a great game.

[cashead]

Holy shit that All Blacks scrum.

[Spy]

Poor old Squire. Fair enough card though.

[Spy]

Very good final quarter or so from Argentina.

[cashead]

Second try to Argentina should never have been awarded. Chickenshit AR and TMOs too gutless to make call.

[morepork]

Ben Smith is a terrier on the ball.

[morepork]

I like their damn the torpedoes approach, but the constant niggle and the hollywoods...

[Spy]

That's an embarrassing Hollywood.