1
An experimental All Blacks lineup for the Argentina test
By Mike Rehu
Mike Rehu pleads with Steve Hansen to change things up against the Pumas in Nelson.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s not disrespecting, it’s a quest for constant improvement. A few surprises in this line up.
15 – Beauden Barrett
If you give Richie Mo’unga a start at 10, isn’t it better to have a steady mentor at the back? As we saw with Beauden’s 4 tries vs the Wallabies, he pops up all over the field. Allow him even more freedom and it will pay dividends.
14 – Ben Smith
He doesn’t make mistakes, always makes the right decisions. Dependable and
dynamic, a rare mix.
13 – Rieko Ioane
This is my pet project. The All Blacks will need someone at centre with explosive pace to win next year’s World Cup. We are not scoring enough tries from set piece and this is a great remedy to fix that. Rieko brings the speed alongside his power and distribution skills to exploit outside breaks. Give him a go!
12 – Jack Goodhue
He has a tireless work rate and is an inside centre for me. He works channels in the centre of the park and controls his zone with his power and decision making.
ADVERTISEMENT
11 – Waisake Naholo
He is a great finisher and he will get plenty of chances in this team.
10 – Richie Mo’unga
He deserves a shot, he knows the systems and he’ll be in Crusaders country. Give him kicking duties as well for a bit more pressure.
9 – TJ Perenara
Aaron Smith was awesome with his passing game vs Australia but he had a couple of defensive lapses and baulked at running in a try a metre from the line. As he always comes back with a spring in his step after being rested play TJ and reap the rewards v the Boks the week after.
8 – Kieran Read ©
ADVERTISEMENT
This would be a good chance to give Read a breather but Whitelock and Cane need one more.
7 – Ardie Savea
I love the way Ardie never gives up in the contact and his energy will be just the tonic against a heavy Argentinian loose trio.
6 – Liam Squire
He is the type of player who Latin inside backs fear. Take him off after 50 and give Shannon a chance to take some lumps out of the Pumas.
5 – Brodie Retallick
More of the same Guzzler.
4 – Scott Barrett
Again Barrett is a master 3rd choice lock who would stroll into most international teams. Hemopo after 60.
3 – Owen Franks
If it wasn’t for Moody’s injury I would have started with Angus Ta’avao. He has been the most dominant scrummager in Mitre 10 and was a Super Rugby star. Can he step up to test rugby? Put him on after 50.
2 – Cody Taylor
Again it’s a balance of resting and giving people a chance. With Coles almost back worth the risk to give Taylor two weeks of work v Creevy and Marx.
1 – Karl Tu’inukuafe
Did somebody say Cinderella story? What a find, what a story, what moustache!
In other news:
