Nothing left to chance as NZ out to start RWC bid with a bang

Sport360 staff 08:20 20/09/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Steve Hansen: "My team has a lot of talent and a lot of self belief".

    World Cup favourites New Zealand will on Sunday unleash a full-strength side on Argentina as they begin their quest to become the first nation to retain the Web Ellis Cup.

    The All Blacks team which will take to the pitch at Wembley is in fact the most experienced Test line-up ever fielded, as coach Steve Hansen uses all of his big hitters.

     #RWC2015: Where to watch in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

    – #RWC2015: Interactive RWC Inforgraphic 
    – #RWC2015: Interactive RWC Stadium Guide
    – #RWC2015: In-depth Team-by-team breakdown

    The holders have named a XV with an average age of 28 and featuring a mammoth 1,013 caps; with a further 316 on the bench.

    They have never lost to Argentina, and barring a stunning upset, they should be the two sides to make the quarter-finals from Pool C, which also includes Tonga, Georgia and Namibia.

    The Pumas are a match for most sides up front, but coach New Zealand coach Hansen has warned they are much more than that.

    “Argentina are a big unit and they’re a good unit,” Hansen said of his decision to take no chances with his team selection.

    “We expect a real physical battle but they’ve got classy backs too.

    “What we know about Rugby World Cups is every team will play at a higher ability than they have prior to it. Everyone gets up for it and we expect that from Argentina.

    “But my team has got a lot of talent and it’s got a lot of self belief. Now, it just needs to have the hunger and desire and work ethic and use the luck we get.”

    Replacement hooker Keven Mealamu referred to the Agustin Creevy-led Argentines as the “masters” of the scrum. 

    For a brief period when the All Blacks and Argentina last met in July, the Pumas dominated up front and produced two tries from driving mauls, a tactic which coach Daniel Hourcade has said he is keen to reproduce Sunday. 

    Hourcade is also mindful he has a backline that is developing as both a solid defensive unit and with skilful attackers out wide.

    Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, the most experienced of the Pumas with 64 Tests, predicts a match of high intensity.

    “We have been analysing the All Blacks and it is very clear the type of opponent which we will face,” he said with a nod to the try-scoring talents of the New Zealand back three of Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder.

    The Pumas, in turn, have their own points-scoring weapon in Juan Imhoff, the Racing 92 wing, who comes into the match in sensational form after scoring three tries when Argentina toppled former world champions South Africa two months ago.

    Assistant coach Pablo Bouza believes Argentina had evolved considerably since then when they were reliant on well-drilled forwards for success.

    Bouza, who scored four tries as a player at the 2003 World Cup, said: “This team can do whatever, kick or run, it’s going to be a decision made on the field. We’re training for all options so tomorrow is going to be what happens in front of you.”

    Meanwhile, the All Blacks will set two significant rugby records in the match. Fly-half Dan Carter, who returns to the frontline after multiple injuries in recent years, will direct New Zealand in a world record 89th Test for a player in the 10 jersey in what will be his 107th international.

    Tony Woodcock, playing his 104th Test, will equal the world record for a prop held by former England man Jason Leonard.

    Recommended