Rugby Championship: Five talking points ahead of All Blacks v Pumas as stronger New Zealand bench could be key
Round Four of the Rugby Championship sees Argentina travel to Hamilton to face New Zealand, with the Pumas riding high after last week.
Planet Rugby breaks down the talking points ahead of an intriguing clash.
Can New Zealand break down Argentina’s defence?
We will get to the numbers of last week’s Pumas’ defensive effort later as it was quite some shift without the ball from the South Americans. New Zealand simply could not break down the blue and white wall in front of them in Christchurch as the likes of Matias Orlando, Matias Moroni, Pablo Matera and every other Argentine on the field put their body on the line with formidable and intelligent showings, as the hosts struggled to fire a shot.
Much more is expected and required from the All Blacks on Saturday and they will no doubt have done plenty of homework on the areas of possible joy they missed seven days ago. Securing quick ball by knocking the Pumas jackallers before they pounce is one box the hosts must tick and the same goes for shoring up the lineout – last week it was at 75% – as executing the basics will go a long way to stressing this Pumas defensive unit. The pressure is on to see if they can.
Last chance saloon for Sam Cane and others
It really is, isn’t it? We must admit that following the home loss last weekend it would not have surprised us if Foster had resigned and that would have also likely meant curtains for Cane as skipper. However, both survive and get another crack at turning things around against the same opposition this weekend.
Calls for Dalton Papali’i to get the nod as the long-term starter at openside flank have been growing in recent months and his return to the matchday squad adds further pressure on Cane. The Chiefs man will hope to silence his doubters – like he did at Ellis Park in Round Two – and on his home turf at FMG Stadium, where better than Hamilton to put in a strong showing? He simply must do just that as another loss would surely make both his and Foster’s roles untenable.
Can the Pumas go again just one week later?
192 tackles made at a 96% success rate takes some doing and it’s going to be incredibly difficult for the Pumas to back that up just seven days later this weekend. Throw in the amazing high of claiming their first ever victory on New Zealand soil and it has been an emotional week for Cheika’s men, so raising their game back up to that level will be some ask but one we’re sure they have discussed and are relishing as they set about proving any remaining doubters wrong.
If they were to make it two wins from two against the Kiwis and subsequently cement their position at the top of the Rugby Championship standings, this would be a landmark moment for Los Pumas and surely enhances their claims as a genuine World Cup threat. We wait to see if they can back up Christchurch.
All Blacks bench set to bring greater impact
Not managing to trouble the scoreboard from 46 minutes onwards at Orangetheory Stadium will be a significant concern for Foster and New Zealand, as they struggled for ideas against that formidable Pumas defence. Usually renowned for finishing matches strongly, this was another step backwards for the All Blacks and one that will concern them greatly, with the bench – what was called upon – struggling to have an impact on the match as Argentina saw out the game easily.
🇳🇿 Are you happy with this line-up, All Blacks fans? #NZLvARG pic.twitter.com/FP5e9owcJ0
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 1, 2022
Quinn Tupaea (70 minutes) and Stephen Perofeta (80) were two incredibly late changes last week while Tupou Vaa’i didn’t even come on in baffling calls from the boss. We expect that to change this Saturday, though, as experienced names like Brodie Retallick, Papali’i and Beauden Barrett are involved and could have a major say in the contest late on. The All Blacks simply must utilise their 23 better this time around and if they do these classy replacements are poised to impress.
Beware the sharp-shooter, Emiliano Boffelli
The All Blacks conceded 14 penalties last weekend and any that were within kicking range were promptly dispatched by the deadly Boffelli. A player whose strike of a rugby ball is so sweet you can barely hear it, the Edinburgh back finished with a 100% kicking record in Christchurch from seven attempts, building on an excellent Rugby Championship off the tee thus far. Put simply, if the All Blacks give the wing a sniff they will be punished on the scoreboard at FMG Stadium.
If, as many expect, this rematch goes down to the wire and is close throughout, the Pumas currently have the best in the business off the tee and that could be huge in the final reckoning. He just doesn’t look like missing at the moment which is fantastic news for Los Pumas in pressure fixtures.