Share

Pumas game 'defining moment'

La Plata - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen believes the clash with Argentina Saturday will be the "defining moment" of the 2013 Rugby Championship.

The table toppers and defending champions take a four-point lead over South Africa into the Test at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, 58km south-east of Buenos Aires.

And with a final-round showdown against the Springboks to come in Johannesburg on October 5, the All Blacks handler wants a bonus-point victory this weekend.

That would ensure world champions New Zealand remain at least four points ahead of their greatest rivals in the southern hemisphere title race.

South Africa are favoured to defeat Australia earlier Saturday, but the expected wet Cape Town conditions could make it difficult to achieve a four-try bonus point.

"This is a huge challenge for us," said Hansen as he looked ahead to a Test at a ground where the All Blacks sparkled in a 54-15 triumph last season.

"It will be the defining moment of the Rugby Championship this year. If we are to have a chance of retaining the title, we have got to win this game.

"We must try to win it well," he added ominously as New Zealand seek to maintain a 28-year dominance over the Pumas.

The countries have clashed 17 times and the All Blacks have won all bar a 21-21 draw in Buenos Aires the second time they squared off.

Hansen does not foresee a repeat of the 2012 try-fest when the All Blacks recovered from a sluggish start to pound the Pumas into submission.

"We caught them unawares last year and we will not enjoy that luxury on Saturday," admitted the former Wales coach.

"Argentina are a better side this year than last, although I don't think they have found the game they want to play yet.

"We must pay them a huge amount of respect and the ideal way to do that is to prepare the best we possibly can."

Hansen has made two changes from the side that started in a fiery 29-15 mid-September triumph over South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland.

Fly-half Aaron Cruden replaces injured Dan Carter and experienced hooker Andrew Hore is recalled with Dane Coles dropping out of the matchday 23.

"Everyone in this team has earned the right to be there," said Hansen, who believes La Plata is not the place to experiment with right-wing Ben Smith at centre.

While New Zealand eye a second successive Rugby Championship crown, Argentina are seeking a first victory in the competition after one draw and nine losses, including four this season.

While they fell 28-13 in the wind and rain of Hamilton this month, they did prevent the All Blacks claiming a four-try bonus point.

That performance and a single-point loss in Australia two weeks ago offer hope to coach Santiago Phelan and a team skippered by flank Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

The inspirational loose forward was sorely missed in Soweto during August as the nine-try Springboks romped to a 73-13 victory.

"We are going from low to high this season, improving game by game," said former Pumas loose forward Phelan.

"The pressure of facing the top three teams in the world is extreme, but we are slowly but surely adapting to the challenge.

"New Zealand are a complete team - the best in the world. They play with such speed and intensity. We have prepared well and hope for the best."

Phelan has made six changes to the side that started in Perth, where the Pumas scored 10 unanswered second-half points and had could have won.

In come right-wing Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, centres Marcelo Bosch and Santiago Fernandez,scrumhalf Martin Landajo, hooker Eusebio Guinazu and lock Patricio Albacete.

Horacio Agulla, veteran Felipe Contepomi, Tomas Cubelli and Agustin Creevy drop to the bench while there are no matchday places for Gonzalo Tiesi and Manuel Carizza.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE