Pumas v All Blacks
Kick-off: 9:10am Sunday 17 August
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba
Live blog updates on RNZ
The All Blacks open their Rugby Championship campaign in Argentina, facing Los Pumas in Córdoba. Scott Robertson's side comes in unbeaten after a 3-0 series win over France, while the Pumas have had a mixed build up. Felipe Contepomi's team scored a famous victory over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin but then dropped a series against an understrength England side at home.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson takes a selfie with fans. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Team lists
Pumas: 1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya, 3. Pedro Delgado, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 9. Gonzalo Garcia, 10. Tomas Albornoz, 11. Bautista Delguy, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 13. Lucio Cinti, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia
Bench: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21. Simon Benítez Cruz, 22. Santiago Carreras, 23. Justo Piccardo
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie
Pumas selections
Tomas Albornoz of Argentina is challenged by Maro Itoje of British & Irish Lions. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
This is a very strong Pumas team, with their main weapons in the loose forwards. Pablo Matera will be fired up for another win over the All Blacks, while Joaquin Oviedo was outstanding in the win over the Lions. Tomas Albornoz comes back in after missing the England series, he is shaping up as a long term first five for the Pumas.
All Blacks selections
Will Jordan celebrates his try with Cortez Ratima. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Scott Robertson has made nine changes to the team that played France but none are a surprise, with Cortez Ratima getting the nod at halfback and Finlay Christie backing him up off the bench. Tupou Vaa'i starts at blindside and Samipeni Finau covers the loose forwards, while Scott Barrett comes back in at lock and leads the side.
Key stats
Argentina players celebrate their Rugby Championship win over the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks have won 35 of their 39 tests against Argentina, they are unbeaten against Los Pumas in Argentina (W13 D1).
The All Blacks have won nine of their last 10 tests including a 3-0 series sweep of France and have held their opponent to exactly one try in five of those last 10 games.
Argentina's next win in tests will be their 250th, and they've won six games in the last three editions of The Rugby Championship which is as many as they had won across all previous editions of the tournament.
What they're saying
"We know the Pumas identity is a fast and physical game, and we've selected a team that will embrace the occasion." - All Black coach Scott Robertson.
"Over the last few years, they've challenged us, particularly in the first game. We've lost a couple of those, so the first 20 minutes can be important," - All Black fullback Will Jordan.
The last time they met
All Blacks 42 - 10 Pumas
The backlash that hit the Pumas after their shock win in Wellington was a vintage wounded All Black performance, with six tries to one scored at Eden Park. Damian McKenzie got one for himself and converted all of them in rainy conditions, with Beauden Barrett lining up at fullback and Will Jordan grabbing a double on the wing.
What's going to happen
This shapes as a massive game for both teams, as they look to challenge the Springboks for The Rugby Championship. Jordan's comment about the first 20 minutes is spot on, almost every time the All Blacks have played in Argentina they've managed to snuff out the crowd and Pumas' desire in the early stages of the game.
Expect Beauden Barrett to kick often but smartly, as the Pumas have some serious threats on the counter attack. The back end of the game will be interesting if it's still close, as the All Black bench certainly proved its worth in the last test against France to come out with an ultimately comfortable win.
