All Blacks v Argentina I

[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.

[gt12]

@Mauss

If you were keen on that, why not Parker at 8? That gives plenty of height and a guy who has been in that shirt a bit lately?

[sparky]

@gt12 Played NPC at the weekend and only joined the squad today after a 26 hour flight.

[SBW1]

@nzzp Shouldn't have dropped CLW.

[Frank]

I just don't want to see Savea and Kirifi on the field at the same time - like ever.

[gt12]

@sparky said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

@gt12 Played NPC at the weekend and only joined the squad today after a 26 hour flight.

Should be ready to go by this weekend then!

[Canes4life]

Likely 23 going from latest updates in the media:

1. De Groot
2. Taylor
3. Newell
4. Barrett (c)
5. Holland
6. Va'ai
7. Kirifi
8. Savea
9. Ratima
10. Barrett
11. Ioane
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Reece
15. Jordan
16. Taukei'aho
17. Norris
18. Tosi
19. Parker
20. Lakai
21. Preston/Christie
22. McKenzie
23. Tavatavanawai/Leinert-Brown

[Canes4life]

@Frank said in All Blacks v Argentina I:

I just don't want to see Savea and Kirifi on the field at the same time - like ever.

Lol you'll likely see it this week.

According to the Justin Marshall, Razor is a massive fan of Peter Lakai so I doubt we'll see Kirifi and Savea together much longer than this week.

[KiwiMurph]

It's really strange Lio Willie isn't in this squad - at least as cover for Jacobson/Sititi for the first 2 tests