All Blacks v Argentina I

[pakman]

There is scope for some mild experimentation in Pumas tests.

That is tempered by fitness.

If everyone was 100, in one of the tests I’d like to see Holland & Barrett start, Vaa’i at 6 and Patty T storming on at 55/60.

Also like to see how Holland does coming off the bench.

[Number 10]

[Bones]

@pakman yeah, I like PT and TV on at the same time, those two with Holland could be a great combination.

[sparky]

I'd go with something like:

1. De Groot
2. Taylor
3. Newell
4. S Barrett (c)
5. Holland
6. Vaa'i
7. Savea
8. Sititi
9. Ratima
10. B. Barrett
11. R. Ioane
12. J. Barrett
13. B. Proctor
14. W. Jordan
15. R. Love

---

16. Taukei'aho
17. Norris
18. Tosi
19. Tuipolutu
20. Lakai
21. Preston
22. DMac
23. Tavatavanawai

[pakman]

Lakai will be in second test 23. Kirifi to get first test gig.

[Canes4life]

@pakman said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

Lakai will be in second test 23. Kirifi to get first test gig.

Yeah I agree. Lakai only got on a plane to Argentina today so he won’t play the first test.

[Dan54]

@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@pakman said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

Lakai will be in second test 23. Kirifi to get first test gig.

Yeah I agree. Lakai only got on a plane to Argentina today so he won’t play the first test.

Yep likewise with Parker I guessing, if he gets run will be off bench in 2nd test.

[MiketheSnow]

Any odds out there?

Can’t see Argentina putting up much of a fight based on the English tour

[sparky]

@MiketheSnow

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/rugby-championship/argentina-v-new-zealand/winner

Argentina did beat the Lions and have beaten the All Blacks twice in recent year. Dangerous opponents.

[MiketheSnow]

@sparky said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@MiketheSnow

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/rugby-championship/argentina-v-new-zealand/winner

Argentina did beat the Lions and have beaten the All Blacks twice in recent year. Dangerous opponents.

And lost a home series to England B

[Canes4life]

@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@sparky said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@MiketheSnow

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/rugby-championship/argentina-v-new-zealand/winner

Argentina did beat the Lions and have beaten the All Blacks twice in recent year. Dangerous opponents.

And lost a home series to England B

A bit like the French, on their day the Argies can beat anyone. We will have to be on our game.

[akan004]

@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@sparky said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@MiketheSnow

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/rugby-championship/argentina-v-new-zealand/winner

Argentina did beat the Lions and have beaten the All Blacks twice in recent year. Dangerous opponents.

And lost a home series to England B

Was it Argentina's top team?

[Chris]

@akan004 said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@sparky said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@MiketheSnow

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/rugby-championship/argentina-v-new-zealand/winner

Argentina did beat the Lions and have beaten the All Blacks twice in recent year. Dangerous opponents.

And lost a home series to England B

Was it Argentina's top team?

No it wasn’t they had all their players who play in France out, they are all back for the RC.

[MiketheSnow]

Then look out NZ

[Bovidae]

From Stuff:

All Blacks No 8 Wallace Sititi will miss the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Cordoba on Sunday (NZT). Sititi is still recovering from ankle surgery that saw him miss the 3-0 series win against France in New Zealand July. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson confirmed news of Sititi’s delayed comeback from Argentina on Tuesday morning.

If Parker and Lakai are late arrivals that almost guarantees Savea will start at no.8.

[sparky]

Dalton Papalii being left out of the squad is looking ever more strange.

I'm worried that Du'Plessis Kirifi who looks set to start at 7 in the RC opener against Argentina won't be up to the task.

[nzzp]

Sititi gooooone

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360788271/all-blacks-no-8-wallace-sititi-ruled-out-first-rugby-championship-test-against-argentina

Edit: well, delayed return from surgery.

[sparky]

@nzzp It looks like Wallace Sititi and Tamati Williams wil be available for the second test though. Probably both from the bench.

[Kirwan]

Gee, if only there was an awesome number 8 we could draft into the side....

Maybe Sotutu should walk around in red and black active wear so the AB coaches subconsciously start liking him?

[Mauss]

It’s not going to happen but this seems like a great time for Robertson to try a 6. Vaa’i 7. Savea 8. Finau combination. Sure, the breakdown might be a bit messy. And yeah, Finau hasn’t played at number 8 since 2023 (ahem, against the Western Force).

But the lineout options would be great. And there should be no issue of getting over the gain line. And surely Finau is more of an 8 than he is a lock, and Robertson doesn’t seem to have any qualms of playing him there.

What was it that Scott Robertson said back in July? Oh right:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/565864/test-footy-s-a-big-man-s-game-scott-robertson-explains-all-black-selections

This is Test footy and those are some big men. Rugby really is pretty simple when you think about it.