Rotation ideal as Wales lurk
OPINION: The date of November 26 may mean little to the average punter but the All Blacks’ brains trust have shown it is already exercising their minds.
On that day the All Blacks will play their last test of the year.
It’s a chance to put an exclamation mark on 2017 rather than leave a question mark.
The opponent? Wales in Cardiff, coached by Warren Gatland. Whoever wrote this script this year had an eye for a killer final chapter.
We’d be stretching it to say that every All Blacks selection between now and then is aimed at targeting that fixture. But the All Blacks have signalled repeatedly this year that they are taking a modified approach to the year with renewed focus on being fresh for the northern tour.
They cannot afford to go staggering into November like a heavyweight swaying in the 12th round. By sending a weakened squad to Argentina they are lowering their guard a bit but it is the right thing to do.
The All Blacks may play in The Rugby Championship but it’s in Europe now where the big statements will be made.
Of course, Argentina may feel slighted by the implication the All Blacks don’t need some of their finest to beat them.
When you boil it down they may have a point yet the decision accurately reflects the shifting tectonics of the world game.
Last month the Pumas conceded 41 points to South Africa in Salta. More significantly England went to Argentina in June minus their Lions and with a bunch of kids and won the series 2-0.
Northern hemisphere rugby is on the upswing. While the babyfaced English were beating the Pumas, Scotland did a job on the Wallabies in Sydney.
Come November Cardiff will be pumping and the Welsh will fancy themselves. Their likely backline will be Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, George North, Scott Williams, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams.
Up front injury has cut down Sam Warburton but they can call upon Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Alun Wyn Jones and hooker Ken Owens, when he is not ‘‘accidentally’’ catching restarts and buying Lotto tickets.
They will rush the All Blacks under the tutelage of defence coach Shaun Edwards and feel they have the recipe to make the All Blacks uncomfortable: put up contestable kicks on attack and turn Beauden Barrett back inside on defence.
And, of course, there is some extra spice.
Presumably, Steve Hansen and Ian Foster would rather be served a bowl of cold vomit and be given two spoons rather than digest a second loss to Gatland this year.
It is in many ways the most tantalising game for the remainder of the year, although earlier tour tests against Scotland and France are also quite capable of providing some sticky moments.
The squad to Argentina should be seen in that context. And besides, the likes of Scott Barrett and Ngani Laumape are outstanding players who deserve a start.
Patrick Tuipulotu provides another storyline. It was fascinating to hear him say that Hansen had thrown an arm around him and encouraged him to stay in New Zealand. The big man’s best is yet to come.
The same could be said about the All Blacks. Don’t mistake the annihilation of the Springboks for perfection. It was joyous but there are tougher tests ahead, and Europe may well be the setting.