Read wary of Puma power

– New Zealand and Argentina have set the stage for a colossal forward battle in their Rugby Championship clash today.

There may be a raw look about some of the All Blacks, but captain Kieran Read (above) believes that is a good thing, as New Zealand aim to make it three wins from three.

Pumas coach Mario Ledesma might claim his forwards are not the force they once were, despite their recent upset win over South Africa, but he has made them the focus of his game plan.

He aims to deny the All Blacks counter-attacking opportunities and Read said his side are braced for what is to come.

Eight of the All Blacks matchday 23 have seven or fewer Tests to their name with Shannon Frizell, in the muscle-man role of blindside flanker, making only his second appearance.

But Read sees the rawness as a positive.

“We’ve got some fresh faces in there and they’re really excited about this challenge,” he said as the All Blacks wrapped up match preparations yesterday.

Read added: “A side that knocks over the South Africans is a good side and comes here with lots of confidence and we’ve got to be aware of that.”

The Test will be the All Blacks’ first in Nelson, a tourist town at the top of South Island and the birthplace of rugby in New Zealand.

The All Blacks head the Rugby Championship with 10 points after the first two rounds, South Africa are second with five, a point ahead of Argentina, with Australia at the bottom of the pile.

Argentina ended their 11-game losing streak in the Rugby Championship with their recent win over the Springboks.

But Ledesma said the plan that worked two weeks ago, when they built a solid lead and held off a strong-finishing South Africa, is not necessarily the way they are approaching the All Blacks where ball retention will be paramount.

“Obviously a big one on Saturday will be turnovers,” he said.

“I think they scored eight tries from turnovers against Australia and that’s one reason we want to keep the ball.”

Ledesma has picked a strong bench which includes accomplished flanker Pablo Matera.

“We’re concentrating on staying in the game for the first 60 minutes,” he said.

“Obviously it’s a big thing for them. You think you’re in the game up to the 50th, 55th minute and then you’re gone. They simply rip you apart.” –

Nelson