All Blacks wary of Pumas' 'fighting mentality' in Buenos Aires
Tosi said the All Blacks could ill-afford to head into Saturday's rematch expecting more of the same from the Pumas following the 41-24 win in the Cordoba opener.
"We have to be better as players," the hulking tighthead told reporters.
"We need to get back to the drawing board and come up with another style that we can play against them.
"Knowing the Pumas, I know that they're going to come out firing, especially at home in Buenos Aires.
"That's Argentina. They've got their fighting mentality."
The All Blacks' win in Cordoba continued their unbeaten record against the hosts in Argentina but Tosi was unimpressed with the visitors' handling and profligacy in parts.
"In that first half I felt like we left a few tries out there," said the 27-year-old.
"It was just simple catch-and-pass. When it comes to times like that, we really need to execute.
"If we can keep the ball in our hands and stop dropping it, we can do some real good damage out there."
The All Blacks will have a different look in Buenos Aires, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu and centre Anton Lienert-Brown ruled out, and coach Scott Robertson eager to recall loose forward Wallace Sititi and prop Tamaiti Williams for their first tests of the season.
Uncapped loose forward Simon Parker may also be in line for a debut off the bench, which could mean a rest for Du'Plessis Kirifi, the starting openside flanker in Cordoba, and Samipeni Finau, who was on the bench.
"He's a big lump of a lad," All Blacks assistant coach Tamati Ellison said of the 6-foot 6-inch (1.97m) Parker, who weighs around 120kg.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Two changes for Argentina as they take on All Blacks again
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Argentina have made only two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand despite a resounding loss to the All Blacks last week at the start of the competition. Argentina were beaten 41-24 in Cordoba last Saturday but coach Felipe Contepomi resisted making wholesale changes for the second meeting between the two sides in Buenos Aires this weekend, hoping a change of form rather than personnel will give them a chance of home success. Mateo Carreras comes in on the left wing for his first game for Argentina this year as Bautista Delguy switches over to the other side and takes the place of Rodrigo Isgro, who was a try scorer in Cordoba last weekend. Juan Martin Gonzalez replaces flanker Marcos Kremer, who is now among the replacements. Argentina were outplayed by the New Zealanders and conceded six tries last Saturday as they opened this year's southern hemisphere championship with a disappointing home performance. Argentina also lost twice at home to an under-strength England in mid-year, albeit also without many of their own key players. Team: 15-Juan Cruz Mallia, 14-Bautista Delguy, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Santiago Chocobares, 11-Mateo Carreras, 10-Tomas Albornoz, 9-Gonzalo Garcia, 8-Joaquin Oviedo, 7-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Pedro Rubiolo, 4-Franco Molina, 3-Pedro Delgado, 2-Julian Montoya (captain), 1-Mayco Vivas, Replacements: 16-Ignacio Ruiz, 17-Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18-Joel Sclavi, 19-Guido Petti, 20-Marcos Kremer, 21-Simon Benítez Cruz, 22-Santiago Carreras, 23-Justo Piccardo. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by xx)
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Parker to debut while Taylor wins 100th cap for New Zealand on Saturday
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Loose forward Simon Parker will make his debut for New Zealand after being named in the starting line-up to take on Argentina in their clash in the Rugby Championship on Saturday. Parker will play as eighthman in the test in Buenos Aires, meaning Ardie Savea will move back to the side of the scrum in place of Du'Plessis Kirifi, it was announced on Thursday. It is the only change to the starting line-up that beat Argentina 41-24 in Cordoba last week in their opening game of this year's competition. Tamaiti Williams, who comes in for Ollie Norris, and Wallace Sititi, who replaces Samipeni Finau, return to the match-day squad after injury but were only named among the replacements. Number eight Sititi and loosehead prop Williams have recovered from ankle and knee operations, respectively. Other changes on the bench see Josh Lord in for Patrick Tuipulotu, who suffered a facial fracture last week in Cordoba, and Quinn Tupaea in for the injured Anton Lienert-Brown. The second match for both teams in this year's southern hemisphere championship marks a 100th cap for hooker Codie Taylor, who becomes the 14th All Black to reach the milestone. Taylor, 34, made his test debut against Argentina in Christchurch in 2015. 'Codie is a great All Black. The way he carries himself and the example he sets are testament to him as a person and he will front this week in the same way he has for the past 99 tests,' said coach Scott Robertson in a statement naming the team. 'Equally, it's a special day for Simon and his family. He's earned his selection through performance and consistency. He's a big, physical man, and he's ready to make an impact. 'All of the players who have come into the squad have worked really hard and earned their place at training, and it's great to have Tamaiti and Wallace back in the mix. Our bench will bring energy and impact to the battle,' the coach added. Team: 15-Will Jordan, 14-Sevu Reece, 13-Billy Proctor, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Rieko Ioane, 10-Beauden Barrett, 9-Cortez Ratima, 8-Simon Parker, 7-Ardie Savea, 6-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Scott Barrett (captain), 3-Fletcher Newell, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ethan de Groot Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Pasilio Tosi, 19-Josh Lord, 20-Wallace Sititi, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Quinn Tupaea, 23-Damian McKenzie. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Australia coach Schmidt hopes for better start against fired-up Springboks
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - Australia Captain's Run - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 15, 2025 Australia head coach Joe Schmidt during training REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt is banking on his side making a faster start to the second Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday, and not having to dig quite as deep as last weekend's heroic win at Ellis Park. The Springboks dominated the opening quarter in Johannesburg to take a 22-0 lead inside 18 minutes, before Australia roared back in the second half for a stunning 38-22 victory at a ground where they had not won in 62 years. Schmidt is convinced his team are up for the challenge again, but knows the Springboks are unlikely to let them off the hook to that degree a second time. "We can't wait around," Schmidt told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday. "We can't wait for the Springboks to bring their game. We've got to kick off with our game a lot better than we did last week. We've talked more about that this week." A fractured jaw for Dylan Pietsch means Schmidt has handed a debut to former Rugby Sevens wing Corey Toole, one of the fastest players in Super Rugby. "He's a great young kid," Schmidt said. "He's obviously come in from the Sevens programme, which is something a number of the South Africans have done. He's adapting well and this will be a big, steep learning curve for him." Captain Harry Wilson is out having failed to recover from an injury picked up last weekend, but that blow has been softened by the return of Rob Valetini at number eight. "Losing Harry is not ideal at all," Schmidt admitted. "Rob's played 40 minutes for us so far this season, that is all. But it's good to have him back and I'm sure he'll acquit himself really well." South Africa made 10 changes to their side as a fuming coach Rassie Erasmus brought back the experience of Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Damian de Allende (inside centre) and Willie le Roux (fullback). "It's been a while since a game just ran away from us," Erasmus said. "It's not a lekker (good) feeling when that happens. You know when your Mom sends you a message to say, 'My kid, I still love you', things aren't lekker." While the Springboks will undoubtedly tighten up their game-plan on Saturday, Erasmus rejected the idea they would abandon their new expansive running style altogether. "I feel Australia are playing pretty much like we did in 2019, defend, defend, and if you make an error, they will pounce on that," Erasmus said of his side that lifted the Rugby World Cup trophy six years ago. "We don't believe that's the way to win the next World Cup. We will never throw everything out, we've worked too hard over the last two or three years to get things in place." (Reporting by Nick SaidEditing by Toby Davis)
