Harlesburg
25-06-2006, 00:06
Rugby
The craziest must stupid time to play a Rugby game with Argentia is about to begin with as Argentia gripped in the midst of Footy madness haave this home game against New Zealand in Buenos Aires.
Why on earth would the IRB wish for this game to go ahead at this time???
I've seen pictures on the news with the streets of Buenos Aires dead as people watch the Football World Cup games.
The Argentinian team actually watched the Footballers earlier today instead of a more traditional buildup, that is how much it means to them.
Who do you expect to win?
Even if you don't care...
Argentina's success over Wales and the fact this All Blacks combination has not played together has added special interest to the one-off Test in Buenos Aires as the home team attempts to do what Ireland couldn't - score a first win over New Zealand.
VENUE & TIME: Velez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires, Sunday June 25, 11.40am NZT.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 12 - All Blacks 11, Argentina 0, Draws 1.
LAST TIME: June 26, 2004 (Hamilton) - All Blacks 41-7 Argentina.
WALKING WOUNDED: Coming back from injury for New Zealand at a vital stage of the season is lock Ali Williams, who was forced out of the squad preparing to play Ireland at the first training session after the team was named. Also back after a much longer period out of action is loosehead prop Tony Woodcock.
Veteran Argentinean prop Omar Hasan makes a welcome return to his side's front row for the Test after recovering from an injury he sustained while playing for French club side Toulouse. The 54-Test stalwart replaces Martin Scelzo in the starting line-up.
FORM: The All Blacks, as a combination, are clearly untried so expect some hiccups before the team gels. Individually, these players have mostly been involved in the action end of the Rebel Sport Super 14 and should be sharp and ready for the best that Argentina can throw at them. Argentina has grounds for confidence after an historic series win over Wales and it has the memory of coming so close to a first win the last time the All Blacks played in Argentina.
WHO'S HOT: Clearly first five-eighths Dan Carter is a key element and in a country where five-eighths are appreciated he can expect plenty of attention. Jerry Collins had a consistent Rebel Sport Super 14 and has the captaincy of the side for the first time and he should be a formidable prospect in the midst of the action. Flanker Chris Masoe should also be well placed to deal with the attentions of the home team in the breakdown area.
In the Argentinean style, first five-eighths Federico Todeschini is the kingpin of the home team, directing operations and, most importantly, leading a ferocious backline tackling effort. He is in great form with the boot having scored 30 points in the second Test with Wales. Loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is also in good touch while his locking brother Ignacio is a key member of the front five
WE THINK: The All Blacks will face some fire in the first quarter but if they can withstand that and turn the pressure back on the home team, speed of hand and movement, especially among the backs should spell the difference between the sides. However, it will need to be a disciplined display by the All Blacks who can expect some provocation from a first-up home team. Argentina has developed its counter-attacking game but it should not be enough to deny the All Blacks.
TEAMS:
Argentina: 1 - Rodrigo Roncero, 2 - Mario Ledesma, 3 - Omar Hasan, 4 - Ignacio Fernández Lobbe, 5 - Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 6 - Martín Durand, 7 - Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 8 - Gonzalo Longo, 9 - Agustín Pichot (captain), 10 - Federico Todeschini, 11 - Federico Martín Aramburu, 12 - Felipe Contepomi, 13 - Gonzalo Tiesi, 14 - José María Núñez Piossek, 15 - Juan Martin Hernández.
Reserves: 16 - Pablo Gambarini, 17 - Martín Scelzo, 18 - Martín Schusterman, 19 - Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 20 - Nicolas Fernández Miranda, 21 - Lucas Borges, 22 - Federico Serra.
New Zealand: 1 - Tony Woodcock, 2 - Anton Oliver, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Jason Eaton, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Jerry Collins (captain), 7 - Chris Masoe, 8 - Mose Tuiali'i, 9 - Piri Weepu, 10 - Dan Carter, 11 - Scott Hamilton,12 - Sam Tuitupou,13 - Isaia Toeava, 14 - Rico Gear, 15 - Leon MacDonald.
Reserves: 16 - Andrew Hore, 17 - Neemia Tialata, 18 - Troy Flavell, 19 - Craig Newby, 20 - Jimmy Cowan, 21 - Luke McAlister, 22 - Ma'a Nonu.
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Eric Darriere (France)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=4085
HEAD TO HEAD STATS (http://stats.allblacks.com/headtohead.asp?team1=NZ&level1=All_Blacks&level2=tests&_oppot2=13)
The craziest must stupid time to play a Rugby game with Argentia is about to begin with as Argentia gripped in the midst of Footy madness haave this home game against New Zealand in Buenos Aires.
Why on earth would the IRB wish for this game to go ahead at this time???
I've seen pictures on the news with the streets of Buenos Aires dead as people watch the Football World Cup games.
The Argentinian team actually watched the Footballers earlier today instead of a more traditional buildup, that is how much it means to them.
Who do you expect to win?
Even if you don't care...
Argentina's success over Wales and the fact this All Blacks combination has not played together has added special interest to the one-off Test in Buenos Aires as the home team attempts to do what Ireland couldn't - score a first win over New Zealand.
VENUE & TIME: Velez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires, Sunday June 25, 11.40am NZT.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 12 - All Blacks 11, Argentina 0, Draws 1.
LAST TIME: June 26, 2004 (Hamilton) - All Blacks 41-7 Argentina.
WALKING WOUNDED: Coming back from injury for New Zealand at a vital stage of the season is lock Ali Williams, who was forced out of the squad preparing to play Ireland at the first training session after the team was named. Also back after a much longer period out of action is loosehead prop Tony Woodcock.
Veteran Argentinean prop Omar Hasan makes a welcome return to his side's front row for the Test after recovering from an injury he sustained while playing for French club side Toulouse. The 54-Test stalwart replaces Martin Scelzo in the starting line-up.
FORM: The All Blacks, as a combination, are clearly untried so expect some hiccups before the team gels. Individually, these players have mostly been involved in the action end of the Rebel Sport Super 14 and should be sharp and ready for the best that Argentina can throw at them. Argentina has grounds for confidence after an historic series win over Wales and it has the memory of coming so close to a first win the last time the All Blacks played in Argentina.
WHO'S HOT: Clearly first five-eighths Dan Carter is a key element and in a country where five-eighths are appreciated he can expect plenty of attention. Jerry Collins had a consistent Rebel Sport Super 14 and has the captaincy of the side for the first time and he should be a formidable prospect in the midst of the action. Flanker Chris Masoe should also be well placed to deal with the attentions of the home team in the breakdown area.
In the Argentinean style, first five-eighths Federico Todeschini is the kingpin of the home team, directing operations and, most importantly, leading a ferocious backline tackling effort. He is in great form with the boot having scored 30 points in the second Test with Wales. Loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is also in good touch while his locking brother Ignacio is a key member of the front five
WE THINK: The All Blacks will face some fire in the first quarter but if they can withstand that and turn the pressure back on the home team, speed of hand and movement, especially among the backs should spell the difference between the sides. However, it will need to be a disciplined display by the All Blacks who can expect some provocation from a first-up home team. Argentina has developed its counter-attacking game but it should not be enough to deny the All Blacks.
TEAMS:
Argentina: 1 - Rodrigo Roncero, 2 - Mario Ledesma, 3 - Omar Hasan, 4 - Ignacio Fernández Lobbe, 5 - Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 6 - Martín Durand, 7 - Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 8 - Gonzalo Longo, 9 - Agustín Pichot (captain), 10 - Federico Todeschini, 11 - Federico Martín Aramburu, 12 - Felipe Contepomi, 13 - Gonzalo Tiesi, 14 - José María Núñez Piossek, 15 - Juan Martin Hernández.
Reserves: 16 - Pablo Gambarini, 17 - Martín Scelzo, 18 - Martín Schusterman, 19 - Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 20 - Nicolas Fernández Miranda, 21 - Lucas Borges, 22 - Federico Serra.
New Zealand: 1 - Tony Woodcock, 2 - Anton Oliver, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Jason Eaton, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Jerry Collins (captain), 7 - Chris Masoe, 8 - Mose Tuiali'i, 9 - Piri Weepu, 10 - Dan Carter, 11 - Scott Hamilton,12 - Sam Tuitupou,13 - Isaia Toeava, 14 - Rico Gear, 15 - Leon MacDonald.
Reserves: 16 - Andrew Hore, 17 - Neemia Tialata, 18 - Troy Flavell, 19 - Craig Newby, 20 - Jimmy Cowan, 21 - Luke McAlister, 22 - Ma'a Nonu.
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Eric Darriere (France)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=4085
HEAD TO HEAD STATS (http://stats.allblacks.com/headtohead.asp?team1=NZ&level1=All_Blacks&level2=tests&_oppot2=13)