Live: All Blacks team for Rugby Championship opener against Argentina named
Photo:
ActionPress
Pumas v All Blacks
Kick-off: 9:10am Sunday 17 August
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba
Live blog updates on RNZ
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Coach Scott Robertson surprised to hear All Blacks top world rankings
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has praised his side's performance in Cordoba this morning, after they overcame both the Pumas and their own mistakes to come away with an ultimately comfortable 41-22 win . "It was a great test match, with a great atmosphere," he said at the post-match press conference. "31-10 at halftime, we let them back in by not having the discipline that's required. "There's a lot of efforts we can look back on and areas we can improve." The big halftime lead was built on some clinical work in the first 40 minutes, but several entries into the 22 were blown by simple handling errors and miscommunication. The second half saw the inaccuracy spread to the other side of the ball, with defensive lapses allowing the home side to score two tries and come within seven points of the lead. Samisoni Taukei'aho scores against the Pumas. Photo: ActionPress However, a ruthless last 15 minutes saw Robertson's side take control of the game and score two lineout-drive tries to Samisoni Taukei'aho to seal victory. The result also means the All Blacks are now the top-ranked side in the World Rugby rankings, thanks to the Wallabies' upset win over the Springboks in Johannesburg this morning, but Robertson and the All Blacks were unaware of that fact, when it was put to them in the press conference. "It's actually something we just learned, because you just told us, he said. "Look, it shows how tough test footy is and the margins. "Argentina were great tonight and defended really, really well, and were passionate - just like the Springboks were too." The two-time reigning world champions led 22-0 after only 20 minutes, before the Wallabies scores 38 unanswered points. "A moment, discipline, a card, great play, two or three tries back to back can turn test matches," Robertson said. "We're pleased we're No.1, but our sights are settled on next week's match, rather than rankings." Robertson added there was plenty to improve on. "You're never satisfied as an All Black, because there's always room to improve," he said. "The exciting part is we did so much good stuff." Just what next weekend's clash in Buenos Aires will entail is very interesting in terms of selection. Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi have been flagged as available, and while Williams will likely go straight back into the front row, Sititi's path may well be off the bench, thanks to another very tidy performance at blindside by Tupou Vaa'i. Some form-based selections will be considered too, with several squad members yet to debut. The two sides meet again next Sunday morning NZT. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
10 hours ago
- 1News
Analysis: Pack gets All Blacks home, but questions remain about backline
A dominant pack allowed the All Blacks to finish off the Pumas in Cordoba, but two of their backs were not as convincing, writes Patrick McKendry. One of the good news stories for the All Blacks from their 41-24 bonus-point victory over the Pumas in Cordoba which sent them to the top of the Rugby Championship table is that they outscored their opponents in the final quarter. Scoring two tries – 10 points – against Argentina's seven points during the final 20 minutes should not be underestimated, even despite the fact the home side got the better of the second half 14-10 overall. The All Blacks outscored their opponents in the final quarter only once in six matches during last year's Rugby Championship. That was during the 33-13 victory over the Wallabies at the Cake Tin after they led 19-13 at halftime – a resounding victory which broke a recent hoodoo in the capital and went some way towards making up for their near collapse in Sydney the previous weekend when they led 28-14 at halftime but had to cling on to win 31-28. ADVERTISEMENT Twice they were second best in the final quarter against the Boks in South Africa in narrow defeats and twice more in final 20 against Argentina in Wellington and at Eden Park. So, there was that for Scott Robertson to be pleased with, along with a dominant pack and lineout drive which provided Samisoni Taukei'aho with the two tries to seal the victory. Indeed, the lineout overall was impressive – reliable on the All Blacks' throw and destructive on Argentina's. In the end, the Pumas' set piece was in disarray. Patrick Tuipulotu provided impact from the bench after replacing skipper Scott Barrett and was one of the reasons why the lineout was so successful. Tupou Vaa'i also transitioned well from loose forward to lock. All Blacks midfielder Billy Proctor makes a tackle in Cordoba. (Source: Photosport) Tuipulotu was also extremely solid on defence and the All Blacks needed him to be when the home side narrowed the gap to 31-24 in the third quarter as they rode a wave of noise and passion in the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes. Ardie Savea was inspirational as usual, prop Fletcher Newell and flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi had their moments, and lock Fabian Holland again put in a solid shift. ADVERTISEMENT Indeed, the vast majority of the forwards should be proud of their efforts because it was the pack who got the All Blacks out of potential strife in the second half as the Pumas threatened to over-run them. Clearly, they will be better for the return of prop Tamaiti Williams and No.8 Wallace Sititi, however, and potentially as early as next Sunday in Buenos Aires. There is no doubt that Kirifi, who started at openside flanker, is game, but there is no getting away from his lack of size either. A Tupou Vaa'i-Sititi-Savea loose trio would be better balanced and provide more of a ball-carrying threat. The backline review will not be as positive. Halfback Cortez Ratima scored a well-taken try when backing up Will Jordan, but had an up and down performance otherwise and struggled at times with his decision making when the pressure was on. The two Barretts, Beauden and Jordie, were solid, with the former's goalkicking perfect in the first half. Jordan proved again that he is one of the toughest fullbacks in the world to stop when he has space and is on outside break (although Australia's Tom Wright may have something to say about that), and Sevu Reece finished well. ADVERTISEMENT Which leaves us with left wing Rieko Ioane and centre Billy Proctor, both of whom were underwhelming, with the latter yellow carded for an alleged professional foul breakdown offence. To make matters worse, Proctor's replacement Anton Lienert-Brown wasn't much better – the Chiefs man putting in an aimless kick, penalised for tackling a player on the ground, and then sinbinned for head contact in a tackle. Robertson isn't exactly overflowing with short-term options for the left wing or No.13 jersey. Caleb Clarke didn't make the trip due to an ankle issue and Emoni Narawa is more of a right wing. In terms of the midfield, Quinn Tupaea is a second-five, a position already well covered by Jordie Barrett, and Timoci Tavatavanawai is too inexperienced. Questions also remain about his ability to defend at the highest level. All of which may put more scrutiny on the continued ineligibility of Leicester Fainga'anuku, who is back from France but constrained to representing only Tasman. According to New Zealand Rugby's eligibility laws, Fainga'anuku will be available only in the event of an injury. ADVERTISEMENT A more pragmatic option would be to get him into the squad in time to be available for the two Tests against the Springboks. Overall, the All Blacks' composure was good this morning and there was impact up front from the bench. But there is little doubt the team requires strengthening from reinforcements and potentially a few tough decisions from Robertson and his selectors.
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v Argentina: Discipline issues linger as Scott Robertson's side bank bonus point
By Liam Napier in Cordoba Six tries, a bonus-point victory to ignite their Rugby Championship campaign, world No 1 again and, yet, mixed emotions, tinged with lingering frustration, are widely evident from the All Blacks after their patchy victory in Argentina. Improving discipline is the top-line objective for the All
