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Ian Foster. (Fake images)
All the black people coach Ian Foster has wielded the ax before Saturday’s Three Nations Test against Argentina in response to New Zealand’s loss to the Wallabies last weekend.
Foster eliminated 10 players from the starting XV that was beaten 24-22 by Australia, showing a ruthless streak after their first loss at the All Blacks’ charge.
“We were bitterly disappointed in the loss to Australia at the weekend, but we have learned a lot of lessons from that game,” he said.
“Specifically, we need to be smarter in viewing space and executing our plan around that.”
Flanker Akira Ioane, debuting against Australia, was one of seven starters from last week who didn’t even make it to Argentina’s call-up for match day.
He will join his rejected teammates Sevu Reece, Ngani Laumape, TJ Perenara, Scott Barrett and Karl Tu’inukuafe watching Saturday’s game against the Pumas from the stands.
Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was always going to miss the game after being penalized for a high tackle and Foster selected a new front row from Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles and Joe Moody, who is returning after a blow to the head.
Foster said not all of the changes were related to form, and said he was taking the opportunity to rest some players while others, including blocking Patrick Tuipulotu, were coming back from injury.
But he left no doubt that defeat was a major factor in their selection decisions and that the fringe players had not taken their chance against Australia.
“When you get the chance, this All Black jersey demands a performance,” he said.
“And when we don’t perform at the level we expect, we will go away and work twice as hard.”
Beauden Barrett shifts to fullback from his preferred flyhalf position to make way for Richie Mo’unga’s return, as Foster returns to his first-choice baseline combination.
Rookie sensation Caleb Clarke takes a spot on the left wing, with Jordie Barrett on the other side.
Equipment:
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
