After the opening of this year’s Rugby Championship, New Zealand are setting the pace at the top of the tournament’s standing after notching an impressive victory over Argentina.
The All Blacks clinched a 41-24 bonus-point triumph in Cordoba and are above Australia on the table by virtue of a superior points difference after the Wallabies beat the Springboks in their tournament opener in Johannesburg.
This weekend’s Rugby Championship round two fixtures see the sides resume hostilities in rematches, with Argentina hosting New Zealand in Buenos Aires while South Africa and Australia face off in Cape Town.
Here is our best bet at a potential All Blacks line-up to face Los Pumas on Saturday.
15 Will Jordan
The prolific try-scoring machine failed to cross the whitewash in last weekend’s triumph in Cordoba but had some good moments on attack as he created try-scoring opportunities for his teammates in that encounter. He is now firmly entrenched as the All Blacks’ first choice full-back and will be determined to give his side momentum from the back.
14 Sevu Reece
The 28-year-old flyer was one of New Zealand’s star performers last weekend and was rewarded with the official man-of-the-match award after showing his class with ball in hand. Reece proved a real handful to the Argentina defenders as he finished that encounter with 46 metres gained and crossed for a brace of tries.
13 Billy Proctor
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has backed Proctor as his first choice outside centre since the beginning of the year and after starting all three Tests in their July internationals against France, he also wore the number 13 jersey against Los Pumas last weekend. Although he did not shine on that occasion, we expect him to retain his spot in the starting line-up.
12 Jordie Barrett
Although he was kept in check on attack last weekend, he shone in other aspects of the game especially on defence where he finished with a team-high 14 tackles made. Barrett’s partnership with Proctor is still a work in progress at Test level but we expect them to combine again this weekend for continuity’s sake ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash with the Boks at Eden Park in round three.
11 Rieko Ioane
After showing some nice touches out wide during the series against France – after being shifted there from the wing – Ioane hardly set the world alight in last weekend’s encounter with Los Pumas. Although he looked for work, he seemed to try too hard at times but despite an underwhelming performance, we expect him to retain his starting position.
10 Beauden Barrett
This time last year he was kicking his heels on the bench in the Rugby Championship as Damian McKenzie was Robertson’s preferred choice to start at fly-half but Barrett is the man in the saddle now and he should continue in the number 10 jersey based on his current form. He has impressed with his game management and playmaking skills this year and is still a vital cog in the All Blacks machine.
9 Cortez Ratima
With Cam Roigard ruled out due to a foot injury, Ratima was elevated to the All Blacks’ run-on side and he repaid the faith which Robertson showed in him with a fine all-round performance in Cordoba. The 24-year-old scrum-half provided a slick service to his outside backs and looked dangerous on attack which resulted in him crossing for one of his side’s tries.
8 Wallace Sititi
The current World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year is one of the game’s most exciting prospects and is expected to make his return to action after recovering from an ankle injury. The 22-year-old’s long awaited comeback should see him replacing Ardie Savea and although he will have big boots to fill, we expect Sititi to slot in seamlessly.
7 Ardie Savea
The All Blacks superstar continued with his excellent form at the base of the scrum last weekend but with Sititi set to return to action, we expect the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year to be shifted to his best position on the side of the scrum. That will be tough on Du’Plessis Kirifi, who was solid in Cordoba, but the prospect of seeing Savea and Sititi in tandem is something which All Blacks fans are drooling over especially with the Auckland clash against South Africa looming on the horizon.
6 Tupou Vaa’i
The 25-year-old has caught the eye with some outstanding performances on the blindside flank for New Zealand since Robertson shifted him there from the second-row ahead of the series against France. Vaa’i has been brilliant as a ball carrier, has a high work-rate on defence and is a valuable source of possession in the lineout, which makes him a real asset for the All Blacks.
5 Fabian Holland
The behemoth second-rower is just 22 years old but he plays with a maturity beyond his years. Despite only making his Test debut against France earlier this year, he has impressed with how quickly he has adapted to the rigours of Test rugby. Holland is a Test rookie but played the full 80 minutes in all three Tests versus the French and 72 minutes against Argentina in Cordoba. That shows how highly he is rated by Robertson.
4 Scott Barrett (c)
The All Blacks skipper returned to action last weekend after missing the second and third Tests against France due to a calf tear, and he put in a solid 56-minute shift in the triumph over Los Pumas. Barrett impressed with his leadership skills and came to the fore with an impressive defensive shift as he made 13 tackles during his time on the field.
3 Fletcher Newell
With the All Blacks’ first choice tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax still sidelined with a hand fracture, we expect Newell to retain his spot in the starting line-up for this weekend’s showdown. Newell impressed during the July Tests against Les Bleus and continued with his fine form in Cordoba where he put in a strong scrummaging display.
2 Codie Taylor
Although Samisoni Taukei’aho made a big impact off the bench in Cordoba by scoring two crucial tries, Saturday will be a momentous occasion for Taylor as he is set to make his 100th Test appearance for the All Blacks. The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner has been solid for New Zealand since making his debut 10 years ago and we expect the experienced star to continue with his fine form on his special day as he joins an elite club by becoming the All Blacks’ 14th Test centurion.
1 Tamaiti Williams
While Ethan de Groot combined well with Newell in the scrums last weekend, Williams’ return will bolster the men in black after he was sidelined during their July internationals with a knee injury. The 25-year-old established himself last year as the All Blacks’ first choice loosehead prop, as he is strong in the execution of his core duties, and he will now be eager to continue with his upward trajectory in the Test arena.