Dalton Papali’i’s frank verdict on All Blacks’ previous home clash with ‘physical’ Argentina
All Blacks back-row Dalton Papali'i and Los Pumas lock Tomas Lavainini.
All Blacks back-row Dalton Papali’i said his side’s shock 2022 home loss to Argentina was “like being at a funeral” and said they are determined to avoid a similar result when the sides meet again in Wellington on Saturday.
New Zealand have held the upper hand in matches between these sides over the years, having won 34 of the 37 Tests played with Argentina, losing two and there was one draw.
And although the All Blacks have racked up huge victories in their previous three games against Los Pumas, with their last encounter being a 44-6 triumph in their 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris, they don’t want a repeat of their 25-18 loss in Christchurch in 2022.
‘Like being at a funeral’
“I wasn’t selected for that game, but I still remember going into the changing room (after). It was like being at a funeral,” said Papali’i. “It was a couple of years ago, but we have got to be at our best.
“Every time we play against them, it’s a physical game. We’re looking forward to it.”
New Zealand started the 2024 international season with back-to-back victories over England in Dunedin and Auckland before also beating Fiji in San Diego.
Those matches have set them up nicely for their Rugby Championship campaign and although the All Blacks and Springboks are pre-tournament favourites, Papali’i is wary of Los Pumas‘ physical approach.
“They’ve got some big boys in their team,” he said. “Their forward pack is direct and once they get into the flow of the game, they’re quite a hard beast to stop.”
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The 26-year-old believes it’s important for the All Blacks to make a good start when the sides resume hostilities this weekend and to prevent Argentina from gaining momentum.
“You’ve got to start early,” added Papali’i. “You’ve got to be physical early and quite direct with them because if you let them have a sniff then it’s going to be a long day at the office.”
As the team’s openside flanker, the Blues star is determined to make an impact in the breakdown battle and said all the All Blacks loose forwards are always trying to leave their own individual markers on matches.
“We’ve got great loosies whose strengths and weaknesses are all different,” he explained.
‘Need to get better at them’
“So, it’s just trying to impose what you are good at. It’s getting around the field, always having options on attack, and defence, and just being a nuisance at the ruck. The trademarks are them, but we just need to get better at them.”
Meanwhile, Ardie Savea is set to take over the All Blacks captaincy after Scott Barrett was ruled out of the first two Rugby Championship Tests due to a finger injury.
Papali’i doesn’t expect much to change with Savea taking over the leadership role.
“He’s himself,” he said. “The boys have welcomed him with open arms. You respect him and follow him.”
