Argentina has momentum on its side
AUCKLAND: A little over four months ago, Mario Ledesma came to Eden Park with his muscular Jaguares team and achieved a breakthrough victory against the Blues before charming the media with his observations and his fears about his players’ playoff mentality.
As it turned out, the Jaguares made the playoffs for the first time, only to lose 4023 to event ual winners the Lions in Johannesburg in their quarterfinal.
Now Ledesma, the former prop with a wicked sense of humour, is back with the Pumas, effectively the Jaguares in disguise.
The task that he and his men face in Nelson on Saturday against the All Blacks is big but, bolstered by their form in Super Rugby and the run the Jaguares went on — seven consecutive victories including wins over the Blues and Chiefs in New Zealand — there will be confidence that they can create history at Trafalgar Park.
The Argentines have developed more subtlety in the outside channels, as shown by their recent victory over South Africa in Mendoza, and are good defenders, but their main asset is their pack.
‘‘They take real pride in their set piece,’’ All Blacks prop Owen Franks said yesterday.
‘‘You saw against Africa they kept the ball in their scrum and they had ascendancy.
‘‘The thing about the Pumas is you can never underestimate them. Back in 2012 or the year before their scrum went to another level and I probably didn’t give them the respect they deserved and I paid for it.
‘‘It’s a big challenge.’’
The Pumas will provide a yardstick for the All Blacks after demolition jobs against the Wallabies in Sydney and Auckland.
There is little doubt the Pumas will stake it all on their scrum — more than the Australians did — and their fronton defence is also likely to be better. But their lineout should also provide the All Blacks with a good gauge as to where they are at.
‘‘They’re obviously big men,’’ lock Brodie Retallick said.
‘‘In the past we’ve backed our speed to get on top of them but seeing them in the first couple of rounds, they’ve become very explosive and they’re chucking their jumpers outrageously high in the air. They’ve obviously put a lot of work into that, especially defensively, trying to cut off ball.
‘‘[Lineouts] are like running a race . . . If you’re the first off the ground with a good lift then 99% of the time you’re going to get to the top before they do. That’s certainly the philosophy we take to it.’’
Nelson resident and former All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett is said to have been texting his mates in the team about Nelson’s best coffee shops and eateries as they prepare for New Zealand’s first test there. And, as coach Steve Hansen prepares to shuffle his side, all will be keen to stake their claims before another stern test in Wellington against the Springboks a week later. — NZME
THE Highlanders have tied up the services of utility back Josh McKay for two more years.
The talented back has an impressive pedigree — he has played for New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Colts.
He was signed for the Highlanders for the 2018 season and played two games with just the one start, against the Reds in Brisbane in late May.
McKay (21) is a player of undoubted promise and has plenty of pace.
He plays for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup and has played more than 30 games for the province.
McKay played at first fiveeighth earlier in his career and played in that position for the New Zealand Schools team in 2015.
With the Highlanders looking round for another first fiveeighth for the campaign next year, McKay could be a candidate to play there but the Highlanders are not looking at pursuing that option.
The Highlanders see McKay as an outside back with potential to play fullback or wing. He has played on the wing for Canterbury in its opening round of the Mitre 10 Cup.
It is a wise move by the franchise to sign McKay as he has potential and could fill the shoes left by Ben Smith when the Highlanders veteran moves on.