All Blacks wield axe for Argentina Tri-Nations clash

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has wielded the axe ahead of Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against Argentina in response to New Zealand’s shock loss to the Wallabies last weekend.

Foster purged 10 players from the starting XV that was beaten 24-22 by Australia, showing a ruthless streak after his first defeat in charge of the All Blacks.

BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED, NEED TO BE SMARTER

“We were bitterly disappointed with the loss against Australia on the weekend, but we’ve taken a lot of lessons from that game,” he said.

“Specifically, we need to be smarter in seeing space and executing our plan around that.”

Flank Akira Ioane, a debutant against Australia, was among seven starters from last week who did not even make the match-day squad for Argentina.

He will join fellow rejects Sevu Reece, Ngani Laumape, TJ Perenara, Scott Barrett and Karl Tu’inukuafe watching Saturday’s match against the Pumas from the stands.

Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was always going to miss the match after being banned for a high tackle and Foster selected a new-look front row of Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles and Joe Moody, who returns after a head knock.

FRINGE PLAYERS DID NOT SEIZE OPPORTUNITY

Foster said not all the changes were form related, saying he was taking the opportunity to rest some players while others, including lock Patrick Tuipulotu, were coming back from injury.

But he left no doubt the loss was a major factor in his selection decisions and that fringe players had not seized their opportunity against Australia.

“When you get a chance, this All Black jersey demands a performance,” he said.

“And when we don’t perform at the level we expect then we’re going to go away and work twice as hard.”

Beauden Barrett shifts to fullback from his preferred position at flyhalf to make way for the returning Richie Mo’unga, as Foster reverts to his first-choice backline combination.   

Rookie sensation Caleb Clarke takes a slot on the left wing, with Jordie Barrett on the other sideline.

TEAMS:

New Zealand

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Damian McKenzie

Argentina

15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo

Substitutes: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Santiago Cordero

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)