Hansen talks up Pumas
It was a story straight from page one of the Steve Hansen playbook.
The old message via the media is a specialty of the All Blacks coach and was in evidence again in recent days.
First things first. Things are rarely – if ever – as good or bad as people make out. Among the many arts that have become lost over the years, an ability to appraise things accurately is probably one of them.
The All Blacks played some nice stuff, particularly during the second halves, of their 38-13 and 40-12 wins over Australia to start the Rugby Championship. But there were also periods where the Wallabies were in the ascendant and the All Blacks far from convincing. In the aftermath, though, talk of complete annihilations was in the air.
New Zealand were – and are – utterly dominant, with Michael Cheika’s band of un-merry men portrayed as some kind of stain on their nation’s good name. Hand the tournament trophy to New Zealand now. Heck, throw in the World Cup while you’re at it.
And so a report surfaces which states the All Blacks aren’t as good as we think they are.
It’s a message Hansen will want the team to get loud and clear in Nelson this week, as Saturday’s foes, Argentina, are talked up a treat.
‘‘I think they’re good,’’ Hansen said of the Pumas.
‘‘I think they’ve improved under the coach [Mario Ledesma]. He’s had them all year basically and is bringing his systems that he’s been using all year, so they’re well versed in them and they went good the other morning [in a 32-19 win against the Springboks].’’
Jaguares Super Rugby coach Ledesma succeeded Daniel Hourcade as Pumas coach, following a disappointing June in which they were beaten at home by Wales and Scotland.
Ledesma brings continuity on all sort of levels – from coaching, to the systems Hansen mentioned, selection, routines.
What needs to come now is continuity of performance.
Under Ledesma there’s more continuity about the team’s play, while he’s also stiffened up their set-piece. Argentina’s scrum has been inconsistent in recent seasons but they gave a decent Springboks pack a going over in Mendoza.
All of these things are likely to get a mention in the coming days, as the All Blacks emphasise how much respect they have for the Pumas and how many things they need to work on themselves.
The proof is always in the pudding, though, and it’s surprising how often Argentina trouble the All Blacks and how some of the post-match chat centres around whether the team really prepared as well as it could have.
That’s where selection becomes so important this week. Hansen has to ensure continuity from the teams that beat the Wallabies as well as inject players who haven’t seen a lot of game time, are eager to prove a point and can bring focus and intensity to the build-up.
Players such as outside backs Damian McKenzie and Nehe Milner-Skudder, second fiveeighth Ngani Laumape, first-five Richie Mo’unga, halfback TJ Perenara, loose forwards Ardie Savea, Shannon Frizell and Jackson Hemopo, along with hooker Nathan Harris must all be in contention for big minutes.
Loosehead props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Tim Perry will also feature, as a result of Joe Moody’s fractured thumb.
The All Blacks trailed Argentina 22-15 well into the second half of last year’s clash in New Plymouth, before flanker Vaea Fifita and substitute Lima Sopoaga helped get them home 39-22.
Hansen will be working hard to avoid a similar struggle this time.
‘‘They’re good. I think they’ve improved under the coach [Mario Ledesma].’’ Steve Hansen on Argentina