The Rugby Championship: Argentina v New Zealand match preview
Last Updated: 27/09/14 1:09pm
New Zealand travel to La Plata knowing a second victory over Argentina would secure the 2014 Rugby Championship title and complete a remarkable hat-trick.
With two rounds of action remaining Steve Hansen’s All Blacks boast a six-point cushion over Australia and South Africa in second and third respectively.Such a margin means a bonus-point win over the Pumas will see New Zealand extend their Rugby Championship hegemony, having won both titles since the inaugural competition began with the introduction of Argentina in 2012.
Skipper Richie McCaw will equal a 43-year record Saturday, matching legendary lock Colin Meads who made 133 appearances for the All Blacks -- 55 Tests and 78 other matches -- before his 1971 retirement.
Flanker McCaw has worn the famous black jersey 132 times to date with all but one match against the Barbarians being Tests.
In a 15-year international career, the sheep farmer became an iconic figure, adored by his rugby-loving countrymen and respected by all opponents.
McCaw has developed into a modern rugby colossus, who led hosts New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup title.
While the All Blacks have dominated the Rugby Championship with 15 wins and a draw, Argentina have found life among the elite extremely difficult with one draw and 15 losses.
But New Zealand coach Hansen was quick to praise Argentina, who have lost three of four Championship games this season by seven or fewer points to earn a losing bonus point.
Physicality
A 28-9 defeat in soggy New Zealand was the only Test in which the Agustin 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.
"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" 32-25 loss in Australia.
"It was our worst performance of the season as we spent most of the time defending,” he said. “The only consolation was that we still came close to a draw."
Injuries and ill-discipline forced Hansen to change five of the team that started against the Springboks in a 14-10 Wellington win a fortnight ago.
In come centre Malakai Fekitoa, fly-half Beauden Barrett, hooker Keven Mealamu, lock Sam Whitelock while flanker Jerome Kaino, with the injured Ma’a Nonu, suspended Aaron Cruden, father-to-be Dane Cole as well as the dropped Jeremy Thrush and Steven Luatua making way.
Meanwhile, Pumas coach Hourcade has made three changes to his side following their 32-25 reverse against the Wallabies; Tomas Cubelli coming in at scrum-half, Thomas Lavanini returning at lock and Benjamin Macome replacing the injured Juan Manuel Leguizamon.
Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet; 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Manuel Montero; 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli; 1 Leonardo Senatore, 2 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Benjamin Macome; 4 Tomas Lavanini, 5 Mariano Galarza; 6 Ramiro Herrera, 7 Agustin Creevy (capt), 8 Marcos Ayerza
Replacements: 16 Matias Cortese, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Baez, 21 Martin 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; 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks; 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock; 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 8 Kieran Read
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