Big Canes contingent in ABs to face Pumas
The good folk of New Plymouth are in for a good look at some old favourites.
Taranaki is Chiefs country, of course, but no less than seven Hurricanes have been given the nod for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash between New Zealand and Argentina at Yarrow Stadium.
That list is headed by Nehe Milner-Skudder, who’ll make his first All Blacks appearance since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. Shoulder, then foot, injuries have dogged the brilliant outside back since and he’s been named in the unfamiliar No.11 jumper for Saturday.
A fullback, who’s adept on the right wing, Milner-Skudder will instead fill the spot largely occupied by fellow Hurricane Julian Savea in recent seasons. Fullback Damian McKenzie and right wing Israel Dagg complete the new-look back-three who’ll play the Pumas.
Elsewhere, Hurricane TJ Perenara gets a chance at halfback, alongside his Super Rugby halves partner Beauden Barrett. Blindside flanker Vaea Fifita will start a test match for the first time, with fellow Hurricane Ardie Savea set to be stationed on the other flank.
Hooker Dane Coles and reserve back Ngani Laumape complete the contingent of players from the Super franchise that used to count Yarrow Stadium among its homes.
There’ll be interest in the pairings of Anton Lienert-Brown and Sonny Bill Williams in midfield and Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano at lock. Sam Whitelock has earned a spell, but it’s not Scott Barrett partnering Retallick in the second row, while Williams get a chance to atone for an indifferent display in the lastgasp 35-29 win over Australia a fortnight ago.
The inclusion of Tawera KerrBarlow’s means a week off for Aaron Smith, with McKenzie get-
ting another crack at fullback. The Chief has mixed very good with a few moments that weren’t so good, so far this international season, but certainly has a bit of magic in him. He’ll want to play well, given how adept Dagg and MilnerSkudder are in that position. ‘‘This test match is all about us taking opportunities,’’ All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said, via a statement.
‘‘It’s an opportunity for our players to grow individually and collectively as a team, not only in our preparation throughout the week, but in our performance on Saturday.
‘‘We’ve taken some key learnings from our first two tests against Australia and now it’s an opportunity to take those learnings into a test match against an old foe who we know pretty well now. Argentina are a dynamic, physical team who are growing their style of game. They are a proud people as well so they’ll be desperate (after their losses against South Africa) so we’ll have to be ready for that challenge.’’
You would expect Argentina to throw plenty at the All Blacks. But after 37-15 and 41-23 home-andaway defeats to the Springboks, it’s hard to imagine them suddenly beating New Zealand.
They should, however, provide the All Blacks’ inexperienced tighthead props - Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tu’ungafasi - with a reasonably stern examination.