Expectation is a funny thing. Some thrive on it, others require regular
changes of underpants when placed under it.
But as the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire – those who deal
well with expectation realised that the hype is there because they really are
that good.
So to say that there is a fair amount of expectation on the
All Blacks, as they prefer to take on Argentina in Hamilton, is probably as
much as an understatement as saying that the London riots were an inconvenience
for City-dwellers. The All Blacks are
rightly regarded as the best in the world and there is always a stunned reaction
when they do, occasionally, lose. But in
New Zealand to lose to the Pumas, the rookies of the competition? That wouldn’t be unexpected, it would be out-of-this-world
bizarre. The All Blacks are welcoming
back the legendary Dan Carter, who is so good that they can just drop the
excellent Tom Taylor out of the squad completely to make way for him. The depth in talent that the All Blacks have
is frightening – as is the knowledge that they have yet to fully hit their
stride following 2 comprehensive but not-totally convincing wins over the
Wallabies.
Their opponents, Argentina, recovered from a 60 point drubbing
against South Africa to run the same opponents to within a whisker of victory
one week later. If one week allows for a
60 point swing, then should Los Pumas fans be expecting a nice easy canter
against the All Blacks? Well, not quite. They might welcome back Juan Martin Hernandez
and, more importantly, their talismanic captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, but
generally, across the park, the talent on the All Black bench eclipses all
before it. The one solace for the
Argentines though is that, although they’re not great under pressure, they don’t
half like a good underdog tag – they once again have nothing to lose.
And so a classic David v Goliath is about to take place –
and although the pressure will be on the All Blacks and the vast majority will
already have chalked this up as a victory for the hosts, the Argentines have
every chance on pushing them close if they can get the likes of Lobbe and
Mantera physically dominating their opposite numbers. Expect one hell of a physical contest.
New Zealand Team
News
Dan Carter returns for New Zealand having sat out the
opening two games of the Championship due to injury. With Tom Taylor succumbing
to the fly-half curse, Beauden Barrett is named amongst the replacements. And
Steve Hansen has handed Francis Saili his Test debut at inside centre with Ma'a
Nonu rested. In the front-row Charlie Faumuina replaces injured Owen Franks at
tight-head prop with Ben Franks on the bench.
Starting Line
up: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad
Smith, Francis Saili, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read,
Richie McCaw (captain), Steven Luatua; Samuel Whitelock, Brodie Retallick;
Charlie Faumuina, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: Dane
Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow,
Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau.
Key Player
Dan Carter. Despite
two great fly half displays from Tom Taylor and Aaron Cruden, Carter still has
enough credit in the back to just strut back into the All Black side. Which, to be fair, is probably fair enough
seeing as he has been the world's best player for the best part of a
decade. He won't be given an easy ride
on Saturday though, as the Pumas' awesome back row will be determined to give
him a rough ride on his return to action.
He'll have to demonstrate composure and get his speed of thought back to
match levels as quick as he can – if he does that, then he'll set the All
Blacks' far superior backline loose and simultaneously avoid a mauling, which
is always a bonus.
Argentina Team
News
Santiago Phelan has made four changes to the side who lost
to the Boks with Lobbe returning to captain the side as he replaces the banned
Senatore in their back-row. Manuel Carizza replaces Mariano Galarza at lock
while Felipe Contepomi is benched in place of Santiago Fernandez. Juan Martin Hernandez
returns from injury and will take over duties at fullback, shifting Lucas
Gonzalez Amorosino back to the reserves.
Starting Line up: Juan
Martin Hernandez; Gonsalo Camacho, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Horacio
Agulla; Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera,
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (capitan); Julio Farias Cabello, Manuel Carizza;
Juan Figallo, Eusebio Guiazu, Marcos Ayerza.
Reserves: Agustin
Creevy, Nahuel Lobo, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Mariano Galarza, Benjamin Macome,
Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Contepomi, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.
Key Player
Juan Martin Hernandez.
It doesn't seem too long ago that Hernandez was being mentioned as one
of the best players in the world, even running the mighty Dan Carter close, but
a run of injuries and a subsequent struggle to get his form back has meant that
he hasn't quite hit those 2007 levels.
When he isn't posing about in his underpants for risqué rugby calendars,
Hernandez is still one of the best in the business – with supreme vision and a
wonderfully cultured boot. If Argentina
are to threaten at all, he will need to come up from fullback and get his hands
on the ball as much as possible to try and create something.
Key Battle
Richie McCaw v Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe. The first-class openside flanker cupboard
isn't exactly bare in the Southern Hemisphere is it? These 2 blokes are 2 of the best in the
business when it comes to pilfering the pill, to making un-human amounts of
tackles and leading well and truly from the front – sticking their faces where
most wouldn't stick their feet. The
grizzled All Black has looked mightily impressive following his return from
sabbatical, and Argentina's survival and competitiveness in this contest may
well rest on the returning Lobbe 'out-McCawing' McCaw. Which is much easier said than done – but if
anyone can do it, Lobbe can.
Prediction
Juan Martin Hernandez.
The Pumas looked about 1000 times more competent
in their last outing than they did when they were on the end of a 60-point
hiding in South Africa where, to be honest, the Orpington 2nd XV would have
given them a run for their money. But was that a performance borne out of
improved attitude and application, or simply because they were at home? It's a moot point to be honest because the
All Blacks are going to win anyway, but an answer to the above question may
determine by how much. I think the Kiwis
will coast this one in the 2nd half following a respectable first half showing
from the visitors. All Blacks by 23 points.
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