WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Head coach Scott Robertson has made only four changes to his starting lineup for Saturday’s second test against Argentina at Eden Park, resisting a broader reshuffle after last week’s shock 38-30 loss in the first test.
Winger Will Jordan who started on the bench in Wellington last weekend has been named in the starting 15, as has center Rieko Ioane who was demoted to the bench last weekend and replaced by Anton Lienert-Brown, who now returns to the reserves.
Jordan replaces Sevu Reece on the right wing and Caleb Clarke comes in on the left wing for Mark Tele’a, who drops to the bench.
Robertson has named Tamaiti Williams in place of Ethan de Groot at loosehead prop.
T.J. Perenara has been retained at scrumhalf, though he had a poor match last weekend both with his kicking and passing. Former captain Sam Cane has been named on the bench.
Robertson might have tempted to make far more changes after the All Blacks were outplayed by Argentina in Wellington. The Pumas achieved only their third win over the All Blacks in 42 tests but all three of those wins have been achieved in the last four years.
The Argentina forwards were more physical than the All Blacks in the first test but Robertson has only tinkered with his pack, bringing in Williams because de Groot has a neck injury.
There were no scrums until the 60th minute in Wellington which made the New Zealand front row ineffective.
The New Zealand loose forwards also have been off the pace this season but Robertson has named an unchanged backrow. Ethan Blackadder on the blindside flank looked out of his depth in the first test and Ardie Savea does not look at his best on the back of the scrum.
Savea retains the captaincy in the absence of Scott Barrett who is recovering from a finger injury. But with Barrett or Savea in charge, the All Blacks have lacked leadership on the field.
At the same time, Robertson and his coaching team have looked bereft of ideas to lift the team’s performance.
“We’ve reflected deeply on our performance and our preparation individually and collectively is something we have all owned,” Robertson said. “Our intent and focus has shifted solely to Eden Park.”
The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in 30 years but that record looks more under threat than ever.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, T.J. Perenara; Ardie Savea (captain), Dalton Papali’i, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Argentina's players celebrate their win over New Zealand in their rugby union test match in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Kerry Marshall/Photosport via AP)
Argentina's Agustin Creevy and Pablo Matera celebrate a try against New Zealand during their rugby union test match in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Kerry Marshall/Photosport via AP)
Argentina's Santiago Carreras, left, attempts to tackle New Zealand's Jordi Barrett during their rugby union test match in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Masanori Udagawa/Photosport via AP)
Argentina's players celebrate their win over New Zealand in their rugby union test match in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
