Why is home advantage so important? I’ve often wondered why it is at a
professional level. I can sort of understand it, from experience, in the
amateur league’s my immediate pre-match routine consists of about 2 sit-downs
on the toilet and a thorough 45 minute warm up on the pitch, which is what I
get – when I’m actually able to play instead of being injured – at my local
club. Of course, it is unnerving when
you go away to a club that’s seen slightly less investment, where the toilet
consists of a drain that’s been blocked for 3 years and the pre-match warm up
involves walking around the pitch to pick out glass, fag-packets, old jonnies
and dog sh*t. That, I know, can put you
off your game a tad.
But the pros don’t have that. They have immaculate facilities and someone
to cater for every need – why should it matter what pitch you’re playing
on? Perhaps I’m overlooking a key aspect
that we don’t see in the Kent Divisions – the crowd. Walking into certain stadiums with 40’000 plus
spectators, half-drunk and baying for your blood, is also enough to put you off
your game. And that is the effect the
Pumas will be hoping for when the All Blacks walk into the bearpit at La
Plata.
The Argentines certainly need the advantage – they are 0
from 4 in the tournament and have never beaten the All Blacks. But seeing the return of stalwarts such as
Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Patricio Albacete is
enough to give the this side hope – and that will be seized upon by the
partisan home supporters. They can also take something from the fact that they looked the better side against the All Blacks in their last fixture against the World Champions, until a yellow card to Eusebio Guinazu proved too much to handle. The Kiwis, on
the other hand, are on a role once again and, despite missing Dan Carter and
Richie McCaw, still boast one of the most experienced sides in the world. They will be bracing themselves against the
onslaught.
Let’s see how much home advantage really counts.
Argentina Team
News
Argentina have been bolstered by the return of lock Patricio
Albacete for Saturday's Test against New Zealand at La Plata. Albacete, who has been capped 53 times, tore a
hamstring in Los Pumas' first game of the Rugby Championship against South
Africa and will return in place of Manuel Carizza. He is one of six changes from the side which
lost 13-14 to Australia in Perth. Eusebio
Guinazu is named at hooker in place of Agustin Creevy, while four changes have
been made in the backline. Martin Landajo has been named at scrum-half instead
of Tomas Cubelli, Horacio Agulla has been replaced on the right win by Lucas
Gonzalez Amorosino while in mid-field, Santiago Fernandez and Marcelo Bosch
come back to replace Felipe Contepomi and Gonzalo Tiesi.
Starting Line
up: Juan Martin Hernandez; Lucas
Gonzalez Amorosino, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Juan Imhoff; Nicolas
Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Eusebio Guinazu, Juan Figallo, Julia
Farias Cabello, Patricio Albacete, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), Pablo
Matera, Juan Manual Leguizamon
Subs: Agustin
Creevy, Nahuel Lobo, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Mariano Galarza, Benjamin Macome,
Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Contempomi, Horacio Agulla.
Key Player
Eusebio Guinazu.
Coach Santiago Phelan has chopped and changed his hookers more often
than a schizophrenic pimp, but he has had good reason. The Pumas lineout has been struggling throughout
that Championship, with substitute on Saturday, Agustin Creevy, particularly
struggling to hit his targets and failing to make an impact around the
park. Guinazu has hardly fared better
though – his throwing has been far from flawless and a needless yellow card
against the All Blacks that caused his side to concede 17 points. If Guinazu is to repay his Phelan’s faith in
him, he has to give his side a platform by showing discipline in the set
piece...and around the park.
New Zealand Team
News
Andrew Hore returns to the All Blacks starting side in one
of two changes made by coach Steve Hansen for Sunday's Rugby Championship match
against Argentina in La Plata. Aaron
Cruden will start at fly-half with Dan Carter out of action with a shoulder
injury. Hore, who was rested for New Zealand's 29-15 defeat of South Africa on
September 14, takes the place of Dane Coles.
Starting Line up: Israel
Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Aaron Cruden, Aaron
Smith; Kieran Read (Capt), Sam Cane, Liam Messam; Sam Whitelock, Brodie
Retallick; Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Subs: Keven
Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Jeremy Thrush, Steven Luatua, Tawera
Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau.
Key Player
Aaron Smith. The
scrum half has really kicked on over the last couple of seasons, from acting as
a bit-part player to being the undisputed first choice 9 for the All Blacks. His eye for a gap has marked him out as a
real threat around the breakdown, and he has a knack for knowing where the
tryline is – but he does occasionally look flustered when his pack are under
pressure, as he showed for the Highlanders this year. The Pumas will be sure to apply plenty of
that the Kiwi breakdown, so Smith will have to pick his moments to attack and
concentrate on doing the basics right – if he gives his backline clean ball,
the All Blacks will be horrible difficult to stop.
Key Battle
Patricio Albacete v Sam Whitelock. Understated, quiet and yet relentlessly
physical and an inspiration to their sides, Albacete and Whitelock have more in
common that meets the eye. Whilst
Albacete has been a mainstay of the Pumas’ pack for years, Whitelock has
developed quietly and effectively from a young tyro to one of the rocks All
Black pack is built around. His
intelligence in the air and around the field is matched by his surprising physicality
– and he’ll need every bit of muscle to hold off the charge that will be led by
Albacete, who will be champing at the bit to get back into the fray in front of
his home crowd. With the breakdown sure
to be key, Whitelock’s ability to remain calm and hold the fort in the face of
pressure is a real test of his leadership.
Prediction
The Pumas in their own backyard are a fearsome proposition,
and they should have beaten the Springboks in their last home match earlier in
the Championship. The games against England
in the summer were a dead rubber, with both sides effectively playing second
string teams, but for the meaningful games you can guarantee they will be fired
up to the max and will take advantage of any complacency from the opposition. I’m deadly serious when I say a major upset
may be on the cards, should lady luck smile flirtatiously at the men in blue and
white. However, the All Black pack still
has all the physicality and intelligence you could want, and they won’t let the
hosts intimidate them; and the backline still looks the most formidable unit in
world rugby. Their colossal experience –
all 809 caps of it – should just be enough to provide the expected result. All
Blacks by 9.
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