ABs return to tried and true lineup

SYDNEY: All Black coach Ian Foster has again reshuffled his side for the TriNations match against Argentina tomorrow night, bringing back several veteran players and reverting to virtually the same side that destroyed Australia two weeks ago.

The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 435 in Sydney before a much changed team, that included four new caps, was beaten 2422 by Australia in Brisbane last Saturday.

‘‘There is no hiding the fact that we are disappointed with how we played last week,’’ Foster said.

‘‘The whole team is pretty determined to put on a performance that shows we have grown over the last few weeks so going back to existing combinations was quite important.’’

First fiveeighth Richie Mo’unga has been reinstated and Beauden Barrett shifted to fullback after the pair’s tactical kicking and ability to exploit space helped them open up the Wallabies two weeks ago.

Caleb Clarke, Jack Goodhue and Aaron Smith have also been brought back into the backline, while Shannon Frizell has rejoined the firstchoice loose forward combination with captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea.

Loosehead prop Joe Moody also returns after he missed the last two games while tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax has earned his first test start and replaced Ofa Tuungafasi, who was banned for three weeks after being sent off in Brisbane.

‘‘He has worked hard on his strength . . . and is reaping the rewards for that,’’ Foster said of Lomax’s elevation.

‘‘He has also worked on his fitness side and we’re seeing a work rate around the park that is suited to a test level.

‘‘He just has to keep doing what he has been doing off the bench and enjoy it.’’

Tighthead prop Nepo Laulala was also rushed back into the squad on the bench after he arrived midweek following the birth of his second child.

The Pumas have been in Australia for more than a month and

played only two games against essentially an Australia A selection but Foster said he expected them to be competitive.

‘‘They’ve probably had something that most international teams never have, [which] is about three weeks of solid training and preparation,’’ Foster said.

Meanwhile, Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has named three new faces in his side

Flanker Pablo Matera captains the team, while Santiago Chocobares will make his debut at centre. Santiago Grondona and Lucio Cinti are set to make their test debuts from the bench.

Pumas No 8 Rodrigo Bruni said the players were are motivated to put on a strong performance for the fans in Argentina, where the pandemic has hit hard.

‘‘The key to this week is to give up everything for this jersey,’’ Bruni said.

‘‘The thing I highlight most about this group is that they never give up. A few months ago we were training and didn’t know whether we were going to play.’’— Reuters