Preview: Argentina v New Zealand
The focus this week may have been on Richie McCaw's record-equalling 133rd Test appearance, but there is another – perhaps more pressing – issue at hand.
McCaw will equal a 43-year record when New Zealand seek a bonus-point win over Argentina in La Plata to retain the Rugby Championship title for a third successive year.
Legendary lock Colin Meads made 133 appearances for the All Blacks – 55 Tests and 78 other matches – before his 1971 retirement.
And McCaw has worn the famous black 132 times, with all but one match – against the Barbarians – being Tests.
Meads is revered as one of the greatest All Blacks and in 1999 was voted New Zealand Rugby Player of the Century.
In a 15-year international career, the 1.92-metre sheep farmer became an iconic figure, adored by his rugby-loving countrymen and respected by all opponents.
McCaw has proved a worthy successor, silencing critics who rubbished the elevation of the then raw 20-year-old to the 2001 national squad.
"You might as well give All Blacks jerseys to everyone," was the reaction of New Zealand flank Josh Kronfeld to McCaw earning his first cap.
McCaw has developed into a modern colossus, who led hosts New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup title.
New Zealand have dominated the Rugby Championship since its 2012 birth when Argentina joined Australia and South Africa in an annual, double-round Southern Hemisphere tournament.
And while the All Blacks have dominated with 15 wins and a draw, Argentina have found life among the elite tough with one draw and 15 losses.
New Zealand have 16 points from four games and another five will take them beyond the reach of the Wallabies and Springboks, who clash in Cape Town earlier Saturday.
Estadio Único Ciudad de La Plata, a 53,000 capacity venue 76 kilometres from capital city Buenos Aires, has been a happy hunting ground for the All Blacks.
They survived a fierce early Argentine assault to triumph by a handsome 54-15 margin in 2012 and a couple of late tries led to a 33-15 victory last year.
Given 11 places separate top-ranked New Zealand from Argentina and an All Blacks record of five consecutive home and away wins over the Pumas, an away win seems virtually inevitable.
But All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was quick to praise Argentina, who have lost three of four Championship games this season by seven or fewer points.
A 28-9 defeat in soggy New Zealand was the only Test in which the Agustín Creevy-skippered South Americans failed to collect a losing bonus point.
"To beat the Pumas we must deliver a quality performance, full of excitement, energy, physicality and accuracy," stressed the coach who succeeded Graham Henry after the 2011 World Cup.
"The Pumas have been playing very well and are a much improved side since last season. Expectations of a home win among supporters will be high."
Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade hopes a team lacking injured back row star Juan Manuel Leguizamon can recover from a "shameful" 25-32 loss in Australia.
"It was our worst performance of the season as we spent most of the time defending. The only consolation was that we still came close to a draw."
Injuries, ill discipline and an imminent birth forced Hansen to change five of the team that started against South Africa two weeks ago in a 14-10 Wellington victory.
In come centre Malakai Fekitoa, flyhalf Beauden Barrett, hooker Keven Mealamu, lock Sam Whitelock and flank Jerome Kaino.
Out go injured Ma'a Nonu, suspended Aaron Cruden, father-to-be Dane Coles, and dropped Jeremy Thrush and Steven Luatua.
Cruden missed the flight to Argentina – after over-indulging in the fruits of the vine – and will also be barred from the final-round clash with South Africa in Johannesburg next weekend.
Players to watch:
For Argentina: It is always worth watching fullback Joaquín Tuculet, who looks so exciting when he gets the ball. However, he may not have that many opportunities. Tomas Cubelli has been brought in at scrumhalf and will have an important role to play. Flank Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe is always good value.
For New Zealand: It all starts with Richie McCaw and his record-equalling 133rd Test appearance, but there are so many exciting players in the New Zealand side. You will certainly want to watch Malakai Fekitoa in his first Test as an inside centre, with some pundits suggesting he is better in the No.13 jersey. Beauden Barrett can get the jump on Aaron Cruden for the No.10 jersey, while Sam Whitelock's return will add another dimension to the forward pack.
Head to head: There are a few crucial areas where Argentina must stand up to New Zealand – in midfield, at halfback and in the ser pieces. Centres Marcelo Bosch and Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina) should hold their own against Conrad Smith and Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand), if they are on top of their own game. Argentina's Nicolas Sanchez (No.10) and Tomas Cubelli (No.9) certainly have their work cut out against the skilful New Zealand duo of Beauden Barrett (No.10) and Aaron Smith (No.9). Tomas Lavanini (Argentina) is up against one of the best locks in the business, Sam Whitelock (New Zealand). And, of course, there will be an immense contest in the front rows – with Ramiro Herrera, Agustín Creevy and Marcos Ayerza (Argentina) up against Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu and Wyatt Crockett.
Recent results:
2014: New Zealand won 28-9, Napier
2013: New Zealand won 33-15, La Plata
2013: New Zealand won 28-13, Hamilton
2012: New Zealand won 54-15, La Plata
2012: New Zealand 21-5, Wellington
2011: New Zealand won 33-10, Auckland (World Cup quarterfinal)
2006: New Zealand won 25-19, Buenos Aires
2004: New Zealand won 41-7, Hamilton
2001: New Zealand won 24-20, Buenos Aires
2001: New Zealand won 67-19, Christchurch
Prediction: Argentina are still searching for their first win in the Rugby Championship and indeed their first ever win over New Zealand. New Zealand are currently unbeaten in 21 Test matches, they are two shy of equalling their own world record of 23 games without defeat. New Zealand have the best tackle (89 percent) and scrum (89 percent) success rates in this tournament. The All Blacks do however have the worst goal-kicking (68 percent) and ruck success (92 percent) rates though. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has made the most tackles (54) and won the joint-most turnovers (60) of any player in this tournament. Statistics don't win matches, but New Zealand's dominance is undeniable and we doubt it will end this weekend – the All Blacks by 10 to 15 points.
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Benjamín Macome, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (captain), 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Matías Cortese, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Baez, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Horacio Agulla.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Reid, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Cory Jane.
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Estadio Único Ciudad de La Plata, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 19.10 (22.10 GMT, 10.10, Sunday, September 28 NZ time)
Expected weather: A day full of sunshine and it will remain clear going into the evening. High of 19°C and a low of 12°C
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
AFP & rugby365
