After claiming the 2016 Rugby Championship after only four rounds, the All Blacks still have two matches left to play. Next Saturday they play in Buenos Aires, so the All Blacks travel to Argentina to ready themselves for Los Pumas.
All Blacks squad for Argentina and South Africa
Four out of four wins is the perfect result for Kieran Read. Having inherited a successful team from Richie McCaw, Read has seen the group around him stand-up. That included wins over Argentina and South Africa in recent weeks.
Read told reporters “I think it’s been going well. It’s not just about me [decision making] it’s about the leaders and everyone making decisions, and stepping up to the plate.”
Ready to now face those sides on their own turf, the Steve Hansen coached side are in good condition. Besides injury to Sam Cane (hamstring) and Aaron Cruden (groin) the selected squad have consistently performed. The hope is, that those high standards continue ‘on the road’.
The traveling squad is as follows:
Hookers: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman and Codie Taylor.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody and Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Whitelock.
Loose forwards: Elliot Dixon, Jerome Kaino (South Africa only), Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire and Matt Todd.
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Lima Sopoaga.
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Anton Lienert-Brown and George Moala.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea and Ben Smith.
First stop, Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires, on Saturday 1 October.
Note: Jerome Kaino has not been selected to travel to Argentina, after leaving the field against South Africa. His shoulder injury will only see him miss the Argentina round, however he will travel to Durban for the final match of The Rugby Championship.
“I’m picking he won’t be jumping around doing handstands,” head coach Steve Hansen said after the match.
With both Cane and Kaino out injured, the loose forward trio for Argentina will be a complete new combination. Ardie Savea performed well against South Africa in Christchurch, so expect him to start at openside.
Elliot Dixon (pictured) may well be a choice to start on the blindside, where he has excelled for the Highlanders. It would be only his second start and would be a great opportunity for the robust flanker.
All Blacks Travel to Argentina
With a full week to prepare for the Buenos Aires test, the New Zealand team can work on developing their high-tempo game. In the Hamilton test, Argentina troubled the All Blacks for 50 minutes, so expect the side to focus on a good start.
