Foster keeps faith with same Rugby Championship
The teams
AUCKLAND: Ian Foster knows subscribing to the unorthodox theory that you do not change a losing team will only incite the increasingly frustrated masses.
By sticking with their same starting side for their third successive test, the All Blacks selectors have painted a stubborn picture as they seek swift redemption against the Pumas in Hamilton.
While there are four notable changes on the bench, where Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick return from injury,
All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke,
Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Dane Coles, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Santiago Cordero, Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Santiago Grondona, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo. Reserves: Santiago Socino, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Lucio Cinti.
Dalton Papali’i and Dane Coles are recalled and Codie Taylor is the major casualty, unflinching
faith is maintained in many who failed to guide the All Blacks through their defining lastquarter collapse in Christchurch last week.
Wielding the selection axe is the easiest way to pressure incumbents and drive accountability.
The All Blacks have instead opted for the alternate route — to reject the cosmetic approach in favour of attempting to polish struggling combinations as they face a mustwin match in the context of their Rugby Championship hopes and, indeed, the revived scrutiny on Foster’s troubled tenure.
‘‘For those that want blood I guess we haven’t given it, have we? The message is that we’ve been pretty ruthless and hard on ourselves behind the scenes,’’ Foster said.
‘‘We are hurting with where the team is at but if we dwell too much on that and play under fear you restrict your options and don’t get your game going.
‘‘We think the best way to build the confidence in those key pressure moments is to put the guys out there that have felt it and now we’ve talked about some different solutions so we’re backing that.
‘‘There’s always pressure on individuals when they run out in