Scott Robertson’s Tactical Tweaks: All Blacks prepare for Argentina rematch

Robertson

Ethan de Groot is out with a minor injury he suffered during the week, and Tamaiti Williams has replaced him.

Three changes have been made in the three quarters: Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan will start for Sevu Reece and Mark Tele'a, while Rieko Ioane returns for Anton Lienert-Brown.

Robertson said the rationale behind the backline selection choices was balancing developing combinations and adding experience, especially given the wet weather forecast for Saturday.

Jordan returns to the right wing because they believe his skill set is perfect for the combination chosen.

"Beauden [Barrett] is playing some really good footy. They've worked together closely, and they execute well together. It's an experience that was best for this weekend.

"Caleb [Clarke] is a power wing. He can carry the ball and dent a line and is good in the air. Those two [Jordan and Clarke] will complement each other this weekend.

Coaches constantly analysed themselves and learned a lot from last weekend's loss. They needed to quickly absorb the lessons and put them into action.

Robertson added the All Blacks were creating enough opportunities but were giving a few away and keeping opponents in games.

Minimising that was down to discipline, finishing jobs and executing.

He is looking for the players to be more direct.

"We talk about the ability to carry to get us going forward. When we do it, we do it really well, and we just need to see more of it."

 

He is expecting a similar approach from Argentina and more class from loose forward Pablo Matera, a former Crusader under Robertson who was inspirational in the first Test win in Wellington.

"He was massive. He's just so passionate and in that game he lived every moment. We learned a lot from him and how he performed."

Robertson said the confusion at the lineout late in last weekend's loss was due to one missed call.

"We've worked on that, making sure everyone understands the call."

Flanker Sam Cane's return from the bench provided more experience in the side.

"He's got the ability to play a couple of positions and he knows that these big Test matches are about. His influence on the group, his little bit of gold dust, just at the timing of information and how it's delivered and his tone is pretty special."

Cane said he was looking forward to being involved again after much hard work had gone into getting back.

"I was pretty nervous for the team naming and am stoked to be able to drag a spot on the bench."

Cane said that he had never thought of a worst-case scenario during his rehabilitation from surgery.

"From my experience, I don't think of the end result because it seems so far away at times.

"Often, it would be about getting through that training week and finishing it at a better place than when you started."

Having been part of the squad throughout, he got a feel for how he could contribute and fit in from a leadership perspective.

"Last week and this week, I feel a lot more comfortable. At the start, you're conscious you don't want to be stepping on those boys' toes but want them to lead the best they can and support them the best I can.

"The good part is that between Ardie [Savea] and Scooter [Scott Barrett], Jordy [Barrett] and Codie [Taylor], the vice-captains this weekend, we all played a lot of rugby together and it's now like we don't have the off-field relationship."

Cane said the key to turning their result around was to concentrate on 'a couple of big rocks that are going to make the biggest difference and then going out there with a mindset and attitude of really taking the game to them.'

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