All Blacks Rugby Game Today – All you need to know ahead of the first test between the All Blacks and the Los Pumas at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday, 27 August (kickoff at 7.45pm) .
Saturday’s Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship between the All Blacks and Argentina in Christchurch will be the first time the sides have met in New Zealand since their 2018 Test in Nelson.
The Rugby Championship test between New Zealand vs Argentina Rugby at Christchurch on Saturday is supposed to be a “new dawn” for the All Blacks.
All Blacks Rugby Game Today !!
Game | New Zealand vs Argentina | NZ v ARG Rugby |
Venue | Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch |
Date & time | 27 August 2023 |
Television | SKY Sports & Foxtel Now |
Streaming | WATCH HERE |
Fans know this because New Zealand Rugby told them so. When it recently reappointed head coach Ian Foster through the 2023 World Cup , NZR was effusive in its praise. It said Foster was the only man who could lead the All Blacks into this new era.
Setting aside the fact that the All Blacks under Foster have won only two of their last seven tests, NZR’s chairman and chief executive Mark Robinson portrayed him as a visionary who would take New Zealand back to the peak of world rugby. The All Blacks currently languish at fifth place, their lowest-ever world ranking.
New Zealand vs Argentina Rugby Preview
While Argentina lead the Championship, the statistics suggest they will face a different type of opponent when meeting the All Blacks. The New Zealanders are ahead of Argentina in goal-kicking (88.9 percent to 80), carries (105.0 to 80.0), carry metres (749.8 to 532.1), defenders beaten (24 to 11.5), passes (160.5 to 115), tackle percentage (88.2 to 84.6).
Argentina have also made 143 tackles compared to 110 by the All Blacks and they have missed 22 compared to 13 by the New Zealanders. Argentina have managed 5.5 line breaks compared to New Zealand’s 4.5 and their lineout success is 93.1 per cent to 84.6 by the All Blacks. Argentina have conceded 9.5 turnovers while the All Blacks have 11.
The All Blacks will attempt to back up the win over the World Cup champion Springboks in South Africa two weeks ago which made it possible for New Zealand Rugby to throw its backing behind Foster. The win in Johannesburg was a vital one for a beleaguered coach and team but will count for nothing if the All Blacks don’t win again against the Pumas.
Foster realises the one win over South Africa is not enough to take the “weight off” the All Blacks or relieve public concern about their form — an informal survey on a New Zealand media website showed more than 80 per cent of respondents opposed Foster’s reappointment.
Captains run 🫡 pic.twitter.com/PPAbT1FDOC
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 26, 2022
All Blacks Rugby Game Today teams:
All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Quinn Tupaea.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (c), Thomas Gallo.
Reserves: Santiago Socino, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Santiago Grondona, Tomas Cubelli, Tomas Albornoz, Santiago Cordero.
Last five tests:
2019: All Blacks 20-16 Argentina – José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
2020: All Blacks 15-25 Argentina – Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
2020: All Blacks 38-0 Argentina – McDonald Jones stadium, Newcastle
2021: All Blacks 39-0 Argentina – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
2021: All Blacks 36-13 Argentina – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane