All Blacks versus Pumas match thread

[Taylorman]

In case anyones up at this hour, match has started. ABs need a bonus point win to secure the title unless he Boks do the same next week with a big win- think thats how it works anyway...

[Taylorman]

Shot at goal for argie after one ...

[Taylorman]

Argie most of the attacking. High Hore tackle...3 nil to argie

[Taylorman]

6-3 argie after 15mins...both sides settling in...

[Taylorman]

Try savea after an eternity with the TMO. Lasers are out...all on

[Guest]

How about that lazer? Crack up

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Savea likes playing in Argentina. Scored a double last year and set up a couple. He's had a quiet year so far so will tonight see the ball go his way?

[disneychilly]

Easing into the game and comfortable enough on our own lineout but Argentina are dominating the scrum and are solid as a rock on their own lineout. Will be a real arm wrestle and NZ need to take the scrum out of the game by concentrating on the basics (cutting out errors) as we all know the Pumas will attack at every scrum.

[Taylorman]

2 points in it after nearly 40-why are we not concerned?

[disneychilly]

Probably because even if we lose today TM it's not the biggest sporting disaster of the week.

[Taylorman]

true...and at least the Auks have finally got one over the cantabs...

[Taylorman]

Well after 40 this side is looking dour, nothing like the energy of Eden Park. Its definitely a loseable test. More ball, more work up the middle. Big 40 coming up...first 10 minutes needs to be telling.

[disneychilly]

Faaumina on-scrums a bigger liability now. Oh poopie.

[disneychilly]

How the hell did Cane gain so much physical presence in the last couple of weeks? Man he's been impressive.

[Gunner]

this is painful.
7am in Asia and can only get score updates.
What the f*ck is happening?

[Guest]

Ben smith, brilliant!!

[Guest]

This game is about to open up I feel

[profitius]

Great try for the Blecks!

[Guest]

Magic bit of play on the ground by Savea

26-12 ABs

[Gunner]

26-12. I can start eating breakfast!!!

[disneychilly]

For all Argentina's power, I reckon Savea has been the most physically impressive player out there. Just making so much yardage and beating players left right and centre.

[Guest]

Yeah, physical first half, ABs squeezed a bit, but we've taken our oppertunities well for some long range efforts. We're starting to up the tempo and retain ball better at the breakdown. Cane and Savea having a good game.

[Guest]

Dammit!!! Unlucky Savea

[Taylorman]

oooh...bonus point went begging...momentum looks with the ABs now- amazing what a couple of swift back tries can do for a side when its being matched upfront.

[Guest]

Our scrum is dominant now, tight head

[Guest]

Was that a pop at SA Tman?

[Gunner]

Ben Smith.
Good grassroots Otago man!

[Taylorman]

Was that a pop at SA Tman?

who...me?

[Taylorman]

still need one more...

[Guest]

Ben smith again!!! You little ripper

[Gunner]

Ben Smith.
Good grassroots Otago man!

I say it again.

[profitius]

The ABs woke up after half time. Deserved the bonus point in the end.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Ben Smith you beauty. That's a vital bonus point.

Will SA care and just go for the win or will this 5 point buffer mean they feel they have to really take the game to NZ? I certainly hope that the 5 point buffer doesn't mean squat is drummed into the young players. They have to turn up next week to win and take the bonus point argument out of it.

Pretty scratchy performance but took our opportunities when we needed to. Savea, Cane and Smith stood out today. Gotta hand it to Cane in particular. He's been eating Popeye's spinach or something but he's stood up in the physicality stakes in McCaw's absence. Would love to see Read, McCaw and Luatua next week starting but maybe Hansen will see Luatua as an impact sub. If McCaw plays though I imagine Cane would go to the backrow reserve and given his last two tests that seems more than fair but that's why I'd rather see Luatua starting.

[disneychilly]

It's an interesting conundrum for SA. If they are physically superior with a spot on set piece (and they can well be) they can score four tries with their tried and true methodology. However if things don't happen for them quickly and they are only one try or less to the good at halftime this will play hugely into NZ's hands. Though they have been impressive in finishing games recently which is something the ABs do very well.

If I were them I'd go for it but that spectre of turnover ball looms oh so large due to NZ's ruthless counterattacking and if NZ score four tries the comp is over. They can't afford to let it become a free for all because even if they win the All Blacks are more than capable of getting said four. But hey back your discipline and back your physicality. Wouldn't be the first fairytale realised at Ellis Park at NZ's expense.

[Taylorman]

Hansens a well known incumbants always get the nod selector so McCaw, Messam and Read will start, giving us our strongest side bar DC. Boks are now in the position where they need to score tries and win. Interesting week ahead...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Hansen will go for Cane on the bench knowing that McCaw shouldn't really be starting. So will Thrush go and Luatua to go to lock cover and Cane for backrow cover? It's a gamble but Hansen has already proven taking McCaw on this away tour that he's up for that.

The game at Ellis Park shapes as a cracker. We absorbed what Argentina threw at us for the first half but Argentina didn't score enough points to truly rattle us and SA are much more of a threat.

The start is crucial I agree dc. If SA gets a roll on early then they'll believe they can win the game with a bonus point. NZ has to absorb that early pressure and strike to stay within distance.

We haven't really unleashed this year. That first Smith try was a peach. I think we did enough on attack to give us some confidence but SA will be thinking we can be dominated up front. All the makings of a classic. Tournament is still to play for and I'm glad that we didn't get that bonus point against Argentina at home. We go into this match with that fear of losing the title a possibility whereas that extra bonus point would've already handed us the title. This match deserves to have the title on the line.

[Taylorman]

I think we'd have a better chance of winning the match itself with something on it- keeps the pressure on SA to have to try things early and as you say if we contain it theyll get frustrated in not making progress.

Love to know what Meyers gameplan will be because one thing is for sure is it needs to be creative- same old just wont do it.

[GloriousEmpire]

NZ only need to worry about scoring 4 tries. So if SA go loose and open it will play into our hands. I can't remember SA scoring four when we didn't also...or keep it within 7. Essentially SA start at -7 to 0. Tough ask.

[Taylorman]

NZ only need to worry about scoring 4 tries. So if SA go loose and open it will play into our hands. I can't remember SA scoring four when we didn't also...or keep it within 7. Essentially SA start at -7 to 0. Tough ask.

Said something similar about Oracle...

[George Carlin]

Where has Ben Smith come from? That's a Howlett-esque strike rate.

[GloriousEmpire]

We've been talking about Ben smith for some time. I wrote an article about him a long time ago proclaiming him, but was largely laughed at by most posters here. Some people can spot emerging talent and some people can't, I guess.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Still want the win. Ellis Park is not a happy hunting ground for us and even if SA wins and doesn't take the title there will be the inevitable cries that SA were robbed in Auckland.

I think Meyers will just tell his players go for the win. Assess where they're at near the end of the match but the thing to focus on is getting a win. Start thinking of a four try pumping and it's too big an ask.

Similarly NZ should go into the game with the aim of winning. Not trying to protect a 4 try cushion. Part of me wishes this game only had 3 points in it. Winning the title after losing would be a big downer. Losing it would be even worse. Biggest game of the year without a doubt.

[Taylorman]

Emerging? Hes 27 and has been around for yo nks- debuted as AB in 09.

With the retirement of roko, sivi, gear and injury to Jane Smiths been pushed up the ladder more. Its his Highlanders form this year that has propelled him from non x factor utility to a real interntional talent. Hes just gone from consistent to Class A grade almost overnight it seems. Hes not been anything like this year in previous years.

[Taylorman]

Biggest game of the year without a doubt.

Got that right. Clear 1 vs 2 battle...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

That Highlanders form came from the confidence of playing at test level. Ben Smith was questioned in his bench role a few years ago but he was solid and didn't put a foot wrong. You mix it with the big boys and show you deserve to be among them and a light goes off in the head.

[Taylorman]

yeah good to see too. Doesnt happen to everyone though. Smiths found an extra couple of gears thats for sure- and has that oily rag sniff where seemingly nothing becomes everything. His second try was just pure heart with no thought of anything getting in his way.

[George Carlin]

Emerging? Hes 27 and has been around for yo nks- debuted as AB in 09.

With the retirement of roko, sivi, gear and injury to Jane Smiths been pushed up the ladder more. Its his Highlanders form this year that has propelled him from non x factor utility to a real interntional talent. Hes just gone from consistent to Class A grade almost overnight it seems. Hes not been anything like this year in previous years.

i love to learn.  

[kiakahaaotearoa]

When is Jane supposed to come back? Think he can make the end of year tour. Big lay off but I've missed seeing that fend. Ben Smith will likely go to 13 like his cameo last year and if Kaino and SBW return, the areas for concern are lock (Romano's return from injury will help) and the front row.

[Taylorman]

Janes just about to return to club rugby but hes running out of games it seems

[nganboy]

Jane is expected to play for Wellington in a week or two. Hopefully just in time to get up to speed for NH so Smith can fill in for his namesake.

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