All Blacks v Argentina: Predicted line-up as ‘X-factor’ back returns for Rugby Championship opener
New All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named a loaded squad for his first Rugby Championship campaign, but all eyes will be on the return of ace Will Jordan.
Jordan flourished under Robertson at the Crusaders, in his preferred position of full-back, and it appears he will finally get his chance there during the Rugby Championship.
Elsewhere, former captain Sam Cane returns after his omission from the England series as he looks to secure his 100th cap before international retirement at the end of the year. David Havili is another familiar name in the squad, and TJ Perenara is also included after recovering from a knee injury picked up against England.
Rounding off the major news, uncapped Ruben Love also makes the cut.
But with so many talented players in the squad, who will feature in the starting XV? Here is our best bet at a possible All Blacks line-up to face Argentina next week.
Backs
15 Will Jordan
The headline returnee slots straight in at full-back. Robertson has already said he sees Jordan as a 15, and used him to great effect in this position during the Crusaders reign in Super Rugby.
Jordan has only played a handful of games since the World Cup due to injury, but when fit he is an X-factor player who can create a try from nowhere. He boasts an exceptional record of 31 tries in 31 Tests for his country, and will be looking to add to his tally this Rugby Championship.
The back should also get some decent minutes under his belt this weekend in the NPC and be raring to go for the Argentina clash.
14 Sevu Reece
From one X-factor back to another now in the shape of Sevu Reece.
The Crusaders ace was on top form this July, grabbing two tries in the three matches against England and Fiji. Reece is such a dynamic and explosive winger, and is a real handful for defenders. He should be a key asset this Rugby Championship.
13 Rieko Ioane
Keeping his spot at 13 is Rieko Ioane, but he knows he needs to play well to retain the jersey.
England’s blitz defence managed to keep him quiet for much of the series, but when he’s given time on the ball he can be deadly. Ioane has genuine pace which can rip teams apart if used in space, and they will look to utilise this more than they did in July.
With the performance Billy Proctor put on against Fiji, though, Ioane knows he cannot afford to have a poor Championship opener.
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12 Jordie Barrett
Joining Ioane in the centres again should be Jordie Barrett, who has quickly become a top-quality 12.
Barrett has been deployed all across the backline during his career, but his move into midfield has really brought the best out of him. His kicking game also takes a lot of the pressure off Damian McKenzie in the front-line.
11 Mark Tele’a
What more can we really say about Mark Tele’a?
He is just such an all-round athlete, which means he is a great asset to this team. His raw speed and power make him a great weapon all across the pitch, but he combines this well with a desire to get his hands on the ball and create work for himself.
Tele’a also has a great eye for the try-line, grabbing a double in the second Test against England. He could yet again be the main man in attack for the All Blacks this tournament.
10 Damian McKenzie
Since cementing his spot in the number 10 jersey, Damian McKenzie has flourished and we predict that means Beauden Barrett once again covering fly-half and full-back on the pine.
McKenzie’s versatility always made him a good option from the bench, but now he has really established himself as an integral part of this All Blacks squad.
The Chief loves to play with quick-ball, and his eye for space could allow Ioane to flourish this tournament.
9 TJ Perenara
Despite being bound for Japan at the start of next season, Perenara should start at nine this Rugby Championship.
His experience will be pivotal in helping the squad get on the same page under Robertson, but he also adds a lot of quality to the team. Perenara provides really consistent quick-ball from the base of the ruck, which in turn helps the way McKenzie likes to play and should help get their attack firing.
8 Ardie Savea
Leading the side out in the absence of Scott Barrett should be the world-class Ardie Savea. The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year is brilliant in every facet of the game, and when he plays well the All Blacks usually win.
He is still getting fully back up to speed after his spell in Japan, but chipped in with some crucial interventions during the England series which will give him a decent confidence boost.
His leadership skills will need to come to the fore if New Zealand hope to defend their title.
7 Dalton Papali’i
Despite the return of the experienced Cane, Dalton Papali’i will likely keep the number seven shirt. He is such a physical player in defence, but something he needs to add this Championship is a jackaling threat.
Savea is brilliant over the ball, which does give Papali’i the freedom to smack people around the pitch, but if he can also add a breakdown threat it would make his side even more of a danger in this area.
6 Samipeni Finau
Didn’t have the greatest two games against England, but the Rugby Championship gives Samipeni Finau a great chance to write some wrongs.
As we saw during the Super Rugby season, Finau is such a good operator around the pitch, but he also adds a decent lineout option alongside the locks. His work in the tight is also a big tick in the box for his inclusion.
Needs a big Championship, you feel.
5 Patrick Tuipulotu
Gave a decent account of himself during the England series, but needs to get New Zealand’s lineout actually functioning.
Mainly due to England’s brilliant lineout defence, if truth be told, the All Blacks failed to get any change out of this particular area and if they can’t fix it quickly they will struggle against both South Africa and Argentina.
With Barrett out of the equation, at least for the opener, Tuipulotu will likely be calling the shots at the lineout. He needs to get this under control quickly.
4 Tupou Vaa’i
Deputising for the injured skipper, Tupou Vaa’i should come into the second-row. Despite winning 30 caps for his country, Vaa’i has only started eight times at Test level, so this is a great chance for him to stake a claim for a starting spot and get some decent minutes under his belt too.
He also helped fix the lineout in the England series, so bringing him into the starting team could help get this functioning from the get-go.
3 Tyrel Lomax
The All Blacks scrum has improved rapidly, and Tyrel Lomax was a big reason for its success. He is such a powerful scrummager, and his brute strength compliments the attacking nature of Ethan de Groot to turn it into a proper weapon.
He is also effective around the pitch too, and therefore likely to keep his spot in the starting XV.
2 Codie Taylor
Whilst the lineout problems weren’t entirely his fault, he too needs to help his side get this firing if he wants to keep his spot in the team.
Despite this though, he remains as solid as ever around the pitch. He consistently puts his hand up for carries, and his speed and power make him a handful in the tight. Taylor is also a key leader within the group.
1 Ethan de Groot
Occasionally caught out for improper technique against England, but on the whole is a brilliant scrummager. Similarly to Lomax, he has a proper attacking intent in the scrum, and has helped turn this into a real weapon for his side.
Also gets stuck into the ugly stuff when his side need him, which will be so important during the tournament.
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