New Zealand head coach Scott Robinson, Lipovitan-D Series, New Zealand All Blacks v France. Photo: Kerry Marshall/www.photosport.nz
Pumas v All Blacks
Kick-off: 9:10am Sunday 17 August
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba
Live blog updates on RNZ
The All Blacks have touched down in Argentina for their opening Rugby Championship match, however Scott Robertson confirmed today that they'll be taking the field without two key players. Prop Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi are still out, rehabbing long term injuries, and should return for the second test in Buenos Aires.
Robertson confirmed that Scott and Beauden Barrett are both fit and available for selection, after the brothers both suffered injuries that hampered their involvement in the French series. But the Sititi situation raises an interesting possibility around a call up for Simon Parker straight into the test arena. Robertson was confident the 25-year-old was up to the challenge if named.
"He's a Taniwha, he's ready to roll," said Robertson, adding that Parker had been welcomed with a haka from his new teammates.
Simon Parker. Photo: Martin Hunter/www.photosport.nz
"He's slotted straight in. He talked to the team about what it meant for him to be here, what's inspired him, and how he's got here. (The haka) was a nice moment for him. It's All Black tradition, when someone arrives and is named into the squad. It was a great moment for us to get him into the group and be part of the All Blacks."
Robertson admitted that last year's shock 38-30 loss to the Pumas in Wellington was something that will motivate the All Blacks' performance this weekend.
"It's still in our memories, a year ago," he said, with the result a rude awakening to the realities of test rugby for the then-first year coach. Conversely, the victory was the start of a fantastic 12 months for Felipe Contepomi's Pumas, who also beat the Wallabies, Springboks, France and the British & Irish Lions.
Argentina players celebrate a try, Rugby Championship, New Zealand All Blacks v Argentina. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
"They're a team with a lot of experience, a lot of them play in Europe, they're really well coached, and they play with passion. It's been a long time since we've been in Cordoba and played with their fans and the passion that comes with it on the night."
Robertson certainly has first hand experience of that, with his match winning try to deny the Pumas a famous victory in 2001 in Buenos Aires arguably his most notable moment in a black jersey .
"Anyone can beat anyone on the night, you've got to be at your best - every game. That's the exciting part of this tour."
Meanwhile, the Springboks have named a strong lineup for their opening match against the Wallabies at Ellis Park. Captain Siya Kolisi shifts to number eight for the first time in his test career, to accommodate Marco van Staden in the loose forwards. Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 5/3 forwards/backs split on his famed 'Bomb Squad' bench, however openly admitted he will change that depending on the team the Wallabies name on Thursday.
Siya Kolisi of South Africa celebrates victory during the 2024 Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park, Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We've been preparing three weeks for Australia…we are announcing it earlier to get the speculation out of the way so we can focus on training well. If they go 6/2 we might change on Thursday or Friday," said Erasmus.
Springbok team to play Wallabies
1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Siya Kolisi, 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 15 Aphelele Fassi
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse
