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All Blacks keep the faith in side to face Pumas
By Ben Smith
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has kept the faith in his side that pulled off a 35-23 win at Ellis Park for their test against Argentina this weekend.
Foster has named the same starting side that beat the Springboks in Johannesburg for their Christchurch, while just one change has been made to the bench.
First five eighth Richie Mo’unga will start at No 10 in front of his home crowd in Christchurch alongside Crusaders teammate David Havili at 12.
The experienced Aaron Smith starts at halfback with Finlay Christie backing him up on the bench.
Joining Havili in the midfield is Blues centre Rieko Ioane for what will be their fourth test pairing this year, while Chiefs second five Quinn Tupaea returns to the bench.
In the outside backs, Will Jordan will start again on the right wing while Caleb Clarke retains his place on the left wing after two impressive performances in South Africa.
Jordie Barrett has been named at fullback while a potential debut has been handed to Stephen Perofeta who will make his first test appearance from the bench against Argentina.
Utility Beauden Barrett, who was reportedly injured at training this week, has not been named and Perofeta will step into his role.
Up front, the impressive front row from Ellis Park of Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Tyrel Lomax has been retained.
Codie Taylor returns to the bench alongside two more Crusaders, George Bower and Fletcher Newell.
Packing down in the second row are Crusaders pair Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock while Tupou Vaa’i provides cover.
The loose forward trio of Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea will start again after Frizell’s impressive return to top flight rugby in South Africa.
Akira Ioane will provide loose forward cover in the No 20 jersey.
“It’s great for us to be able to return to Christchurch,” Foster said.
“The All Blacks have such a rich history here and it’s exciting to build on that.
“The recent form of Argentina makes this a Test one that we are looking forward to. And the fact that the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship is incredibly even means this Test is vital to us.”
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Latest Comments
There's no easy fix here. From a geography standpoint, South Africa is kind of on an island alone in the rugby world, much like Argentina.
They don't have enough talent to have a top tier domestic league of their own, and it won't support the union financially. Best case you could hope for would be the five extant franchises (including Cheetahs) and perhaps a team from Namimbia. Gives you a 6 team league, that's not enough. Plus again, it's just not financially sustainable either.
At the same time, it's not really great for them to be involved in either the European or the Pacific rugby set up. That said, as bad as the travel is, at least Europe makes more sense from a time zone perspective. I still think it's the least bad option. Also has done wonders for the URC.
I don't think though, that it makes very much sense to have 4 teams from the URC excluded from European qualification. Not to mention, being able to compete in the Champions Cup was a big draw for the South African clubs anyway.
So yeah, I don't really see a change that makes more sense than the less than ideal situation that already exists.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
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