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“Razor's predicament”: What's at stake for the All Blacks at Eden Park
Ian Smith • August 16th, 2024 10:02 am
What do I want to see tomorrow? Here's my wish: a clear game plan, adhered to and accomplished.
I want to see accuracy at set-piece time that leads to dominance; aggressive defense that is watertight; limited but accurate kicking game; less focus on the coach's box; a comprehensive victory and passion in the jersey. And that's just from Hawke's Bay.
I want to see it at 4.35pm when the Magpies defend the Ranfurly Shield against Southland at McLean Park, but I wouldn't mind seeing it at 7.05pm too.
I've been close to a number of All Blacks tests, but never been inside the camp or inside their heads. Does an All Blacks ever have a fear of losing? Or does the aura and power around the jersey never allow for that?
This is a very dangerous test match - careers won't be defined by it. Well, a couple might if the All Blacks do lose. But the punters need to be convinced that we've got the right team. And more importantly, we've got the right man in Scott Robertson at the helm.
I suggest an All Blacks team gets a lot less latitude than any other team we have in New Zealand, and that comes with the territory, and so it should.
It's early days, but there's a lot of pressure on Razor now - NZ Rugby guaranteed that with their flawed process of appointment. It created a divide which is not getting any less wide.
To lose on Eden Park is almost unthinkable. To lose a series at home to Argentina, unimaginable. But that is Razor's predicament.
Normally we'd all be banking this test and thinking about the Springboks instead - but that little tour to South Africa seems a long way off at this point.
Tune into Mornings with Ian Smith from 9am to midday - every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SENZ.
All Blacks v Los Pumas - August 17
ALL BLACKS: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 5. Sam Darry, 4. Tupou Vaa'i, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Mark Tele’a.
ARGENTINA: 15. Juan Cruz Mallia, 14. Matthias Moroni, 13. Lucio Cinti, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 11. Matthew Carreras, 10. Santiago Carreras, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 4. Marcos Kremer, 3. Lucio Sordoni, 2. Julian Montoya, 1. Thomas Gallo.
Reserves: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Mayco Vivas, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Franco Molina, 20. Tomas Lavanini, 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22. Thomas Albernoz, 23. Bautista Delguy.
Listen to Ian Smith's preview of the All Blacks vs Argentina with Ian Jones below:
