XV to build confidence

a black jersey and we’re expecting a response in that particular area.’’

Despite their dire run of form — two wins from the last eight tests — the All Blacks are effectively entrusting the same players to learn while others remain on the outer.

If this approach does not deliver immediate rewards this weekend, Foster opens himself up to further criticism of maintaining blind faith and dodging difficult selection decisions.

The All Blacks believe they dominated the first half in Christchurch. They look to their powerful scrum and a maul that claimed the opening try and say they did not capitalise on those efforts; that their poor discipline and familiar frustrations at the breakdown kept the Pumas in the contest.

Substituting inform starting hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho early in the second half was clearly a mistake but the All Blacks project confidence they can amend their late lineout issues, apply the same early setpiece pressure and this time not crumble in the closing stages.

That the All Blacks managed three points in the second half underlines their struggles to vary their game enough to break the staunch Pumas defence.

‘‘As a group we’re showing a lot of faith in this XV,’’ Foster said.

‘‘We signalled early that we need to grow combinations. Our hunch is to go with a group that is working hard at the moment, slowly building. I think there’s enough evidence that we’re getting there in many parts of our game but it’s actually growing that confidence when we get into the tail end and being consistently strong.’’

Meanwhile,

Puma coach

Michael Cheika has made four changes to the team which achieved a historic win last week.

In the backline, Lucio Cinti drops to the bench as Santiago Cordero comes on to the left wing, while Tomas Cubelli replaces Gonzalo Bertranou at halfback.

Santiago Grondona will start at blindside flanker in place of Juan Martin Gonzalez, and Guido Petti joins Tomas Lavanini in the starting second row. Matias Alemanno is named in the reserves. —