Rugby Championship action this weekend sees the All Blacks welcome the Springboks to Wellington and the Wallabies play host to Argentina in Sydney.
New Zealand edged South Africa 24-17 at their Eden Park fortress last time out, while Australia pulled off a sensational 28-24 comeback victory over Los Pumas in Townsville.
After three rounds, the All Blacks top the table ahead of the Aussies, with the world champion Springboks and a plucky Argentine outfit needing wins to stay in contention.
New Zealand vs South Africa
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has selected a youthful backline for the clash at the Sky Stadium, and he is under no illusion about what lies in wait for his charges.
“We need a top-class performance to ensure that we are in contention to win the [Rugby Championship],” Erasmus told Supersport.
“We know where we went wrong last week [at Eden Park] and what we must fix.”
He continued: “I think we were really bad last week, but I don’t think they were outstanding either.
“It was an error-ridden game. There was a hell of a lot of intensity and that’s what you need in Test match rugby, but I don’t think either team played really, really well.
“They were better than us, that’s the bottom line.”
Visiting captain Siya Kolisi backed Erasmus’ bold selection choices, saying: “There’s a good mixture of players in this team.
“Most of the guys have played here [in Wellington] before, some of whom have won two World Cups, so it’s not as though it is a completely new team.
“I’m keen to see this side in action, and I think some of the new faces will bring a different skillset to the match, which is exciting.”
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, meanwhile, has lined up a Test debut for pacey winger Leroy Carter, who comes over from the Sevens circuit.
“We knew he was there and as soon as he committed to Super Rugby, we thought ‘here we go’, we’re going to have a look because he’s got a point of difference,” Robertson explained according to Supersport.
“He’s extremely quick and we’re excited by his work rate. He competes and now is his time.”
New Zealand | Starting – Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Beauden Barrett, Noah Hotham, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot; Replacements – Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Du Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea, Ruben Love.
South Africa | Starting – Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Ruan Nortjé, Lood de Jager, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché; Replacements – Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, André Esterhuizen.
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Australia vs Argentina
The Wallabies triumphed in Queensland thanks to an 86th-minute try that immediately catapulted the game into rugby folklore, and head coach Joe Schmidt has warned of a looming Argentine backlash.
“While managing injuries is always a challenge, we’re excited to have some fresh bodies who have been training hard with the group for a number of weeks and are keen to contribute,” Schmidt stated to The Guardian.
“Argentina led for the whole game in Townsville until the very end and we’re very aware of the threat they’ll pose on Saturday afternoon.
“We’ll need to be better than we were last week.”
Home captain Harry Wilson likewise predicted a strong retaliation from the tourists, claiming in an interview with the media: “We do know what’s coming. We experienced it first-hand last year [in a 67-27 loss], and it wasn’t nice at all.
“We know how much of a class team they are and them fired up is a scary proposition for us, but we are really excited for the challenge.
“For us, it’s about building on our performance last week. We have a few errors in our game, which we know we need to improve to beat these guys again.”
On the other hand, when asked about his side’s preparations for the Sydney Test, Pumas boss Felipe Contepomi kept it characteristically short and simple, telling local reporters: “We try to always reset to zero at the start of the week, no matter the result that came before.”
Australia | Starting – Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Joseph Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Corey Toole, Tane Edmed, Nic White, Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, James Slipper; Replacements – Josh Nasser, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu.
Argentina | Starting – Juan Cruz Mallía, Rodrigo Isgró, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo García, Joaquín Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martín González, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julián Montoya (captain), Mayco Vivas; Replacements – Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Pablo Matera, Agustín Moyano, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy.
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