Rugby Championship preview: All Blacks’ quality to shine through against Argentina

Dylan Coetzee
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Rugby Championship: Split with Argentina and New Zealand

This year’s Rugby Championship is upon us with the opening round of blockbuster clashes, including an intriguing Test between Argentina and New Zealand in Mendoza.

This era of Argentinian rugby has had the most success against the All Blacks since the two teams first played in 1985, grabbing their first win against New Zealand in 2020 before following that up with another triumph two years later.

Interestingly, none of this success has come at home. However, that has not been helped by the Covid-19 disruptions and the reintegration of the ‘mini-tour’ structure, which means the All Blacks have not played in South America since 2019.

This provides Argentina with a unique opportunity to harness the typically passionate and hostile environment on their home turf to rattle the All Blacks, who have not been their cool, calm collected selves this World Cup cycle.

Los Pumas show growth every time they take to the field and head coach Michael Cheika will be demanding his players go out there and get their first win against New Zealand on home soil.

However, even with Ian Foster’s men showing uncharacteristic traits over the past few years they are still, well, the All Blacks and that means they have the potential to find their absolute best in a moment.

With many narratives intertwined into this Test, it makes for a fascinating clash in Mendoza this weekend.

Where the game will be won

The cliché is that the match is won up front and for Argentina it is exactly that. Los Pumas will know they need to batter the All Blacks off their feet. The collision area is vital because the New Zealand backline cannot be given time and space on the ball.

Set-piece and discipline are aspects to consider particularly with the modern game played from whistle to whistle. A strong scrum and functioning line-out are imperative. Argentina have long been crippled by their discipline and if they do not keep it clean the All Blacks will punish them.

The breakdown is a component New Zealand use to launch their piercing plays and if Argentina lose that duel it will be difficult.

Finally, the visitors boast a plethora of clever marksmen with the boot, not just with their exits but with their attacking kicks too, and it was the aspect of the game that buried the Pumas last time out.

If the Argentines can deal with and counter the All Blacks’ kicking game then they stand a real chance. However, if the mark is missed the New Zealanders will run wild in Mendoza.

When they last met

What they said

All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga insists that his side cannot afford to be “one-dimensional” against a quality Argentina side as they were in the loss last year.

“Real good lessons learned in Christchurch,” Mo’unga said.

“When you get one-dimensional about your style of play against the Argentinians, that’s when you can pay [the price]. They are a big physical team, real good loose forwards who want to get on the ball and love to jackal.

“Discipline let us down as well.”

Players to watch

Few wear the blue and white hoops of Argentina more proudly than Pablo Matera, who knows most of the All Blacks very well from his time with the Crusaders. Expect the robust flanker to be absolutely everywhere in this one.

A key feature of the Cheika era with the Pumas is the emergence of Santiago Carreras as a main playmaker. The Gloucester man has played with supreme confidence and guile at fly-half, making the most crucial of plays in their attacking structures.

Inside of Carreras is Gonzalo Bertranou who earns his 50th cap for his country. The scrum-half has been a consistent performer for his country with his brilliant distribution, decent kicking game and potent snipes. Controlling the speed of play from the base will be important in this clash and he needs to have an accurate outing.

Skipper Sam Cane has been under the pump from fans for the majority of this World Cup cycle and to his credit has taken it in his stride. This season for the Chiefs he was consistently world-class and may have earned back the hearts of some supporters. Regardless of that, he is a brilliant exponent of the breakdown and a professional in every sense. He will be looking to have a big performance in the Rugby Championship opener.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the experience spectrum, the supremely talented Emoni Narawa gets his chance on the back of an outstanding season with the Chiefs. He is such a complete wing already with not only a try-scoring instinct but an educated kicking game which is so crucial in the modern game. Expect the speedster to hit the ground running on his big day and be a try threat.

Meanwhile, there has been much debate as to who would start at fly-half and Damian McKenzie has been backed this weekend. It is a fair call after the Chief was the best player in Super Rugby Pacific and showcased some tremendous skills. Whether he would have been trusted against a different team remains to be seen but, nevertheless, expect ‘D-Mac’ to be busy the whole game and pull strings.

Main head-to-head

A huge battle awaits between two experienced stars in the front-row and one that could shape the finer moments in the game.

Los Pumas skipper Julian Montoya is absolutely crucial for his side as a leader but also particularly at the breakdown. He has the ability to single-handedly snatch control of the contact area and when he plays well so does his team. He is vastly experienced at the highest level of the game and undoubtedly he will be sniffing around for any opportunity he can find. The captain needs a massive performance.

The All Blacks have a lot of depth at hooker and opted to go for the elusive Dane Coles. The veteran is sensational in broken play and pretty much doubles up as a loose forward. He may not have the same breakdown prowess as his opposite number but boasts heaps of dynamism without sacrificing too much power. Coles has done it time and again in the black jersey and his coach will expect him to be on the money once more.

Prediction

It is an interesting clash considering how long it has been since New Zealand made a trip to Argentina and the All Blacks will certainly not have it all their own way. Los Pumas will likely start well, filled with passion and pride, but we expect New Zealand to get a foothold and grow into the match to ultimately take the game away from the hosts. All Blacks by 14.

Previous results

2022: New Zealand won 53-3 in Wellington
2022: Argentina won 25-18 in Christchurch
2021: New Zealand won 36-13 in Brisbane
2021: New Zealand won 39-0 in the Gold Coast
2020: New Zealand won 38-0 in Newcastle
2020: Argentina won 25-15 in Sydney
2019: New Zealand won 20-16 in Buenos Aires
2018: New Zealand won 35-17 in Buenos Aires

The teams

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Lucio Cinti, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Pedro Rubiolo, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Matias Orlando

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Braydon Ennor

Date: Saturday, July 8
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick off: 16:10 local (20:10 BST, 19:10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

READ MORE:  Rugby Championship preview: Springboks’ forwards to power them to victory over Wallabies

Argentina Damian McKenzie Emoni Narawa Julian Montoya Pablo Matera Sam Cane Santiago Carreras

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