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All Blacks boost bench experience in latest team naming
By Ned Lester
All Blacks coach Ian Foster isn't budging on his vision for the All Blacks squad, as is confirmed by this weeks team naming.
Again, the All Blacks named the same starting 15 from their previous two tests - games which despite continuity in selection, produced very different results.
The bench sees Brodie Retallick make his return from injury, after a strong recovery from a broken cheekbone suffered in the Irish series.
Also returning from injury is Beauden Barrett, who was rested last week after experiencing neck soreness. The All Black veteran comes in for his Blues team-mate Stephen Perofeta, who managed only 50 seconds of game time in his All Black debut in Christchurch.
Also on the bench, Dalton Papali'i and Dane Coles come in for Akira Ioane and Codie Taylor. Both players who struggled to deliver any positive impact off the bench last week, with Taylor having his worst performance in the black jersey, making a crucial line-out error in the games final moments and securing the win for Argentina.
The All Blacks coach last week asked New Zealand for patience, emphasising the teams "rebuilding" status. The comments amplified anticipation for the team naming this week, with pundits interpreting a rebuild as an opportunity for new players to get their shot at the black jersey.
Instead, the consistency in selection suggests that the building of combinations and cohesion within the team is the focus within the camp.
All Blacks team for Argentina:
- Ethan De Groot
- Samisoni Taukei'aho
- Tyrel Lomax
- Sam Whitelock
- Scott Barrett
- Shannon Frizell
- Sam Cane
- Ardie Savea
- Aaron Smith
- Richie Mo'unga
- Caleb Clarke
- David Havili
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Jordie Barrett
Reserves
- Dane Coles
- George Bower
- Fletcher Newell
- Brodie Retallick
- Dalton Papali'i
- Finlay Christie
- Beauden Barrett
- Quinn Tupaea
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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