Argentina vs. New Zealand All Blacks: Rugby Tri-Nations – live! | Sports

Preliminary formalities done, it’s time for a very, very hot rugby.

In front of the haka, Sam Cane placed a signed All Blacks jersey with Maradona No. 10 on the back in the middle of the field.

The hymns were typically bombastic and brilliant. Does any sport make you better than rugby?

And Argentina follows them in a blue and white kit of great beauty. The jersey has a collar and buttons, and the mountains of men wear it like high schoolers waiting to be arrested.

In honor of Diego Maradona, the country’s transcendent footballer who passed away earlier this week, there will be plenty of Argentina No. 10 kits tonight in Newcastle. It will be an emotional night for the cougars and their fans.

This is a fascinating feature interview with the referee Nigel Owens before his 100th test. One of the nuggets offered by the Welsh whistleblower is this gem of the challenge of engaging in a sport with such Byzantine laws in times of television criticism.

So much rugby is a gray area. You need to use your experience, empathy, and interpretation to decide whether or not to blow this whistle. The way the game goes is, in a sense, irreversible as every decision is scrutinized. We need to get back to the umpire who is actually repeating the game and relying less on TMO.

Needless to say, things are not going according to plan for New Zealand rugby right now. An early World Cup exit followed by poor form for the All Blacks has drawn attention to the game’s makers. As Matt McIlraith writes Ian Foster’s role should already be threatened, while the suits that overlooked Scott Robertson’s claims to replace Steve Hansen should also not be comfortable.

The national calamity – feared, if largely unspoken, since the overwhelming appointment of Steve Hansen’s former assistant late last year – has become a reality.

Tonight we’re facing one of the hottest test matches in history, with Newcastle smoldering through a late spring heat wave. Temperatures hovered around 40 ° C for most of the day and despite the sunset, the mercury will stay at 30 ° C for most of the competition.

To make matters worse, there is a not insignificant north breeze.

Don’t expect 80 minutes of high intensity.

Despite intense scrutiny after consecutive defeats, Ian Foster holds his own in terms of team selection. There are only three changes to the team that Argentina played two weeks ago. Akira Ioane replaced Shannon Frizell on the blindside flanker, Scott Barrett for Patrick Tuipulotua and Nepo Laulala swapped his place on the bench for Tyrel Lomax.

“The team is determined to do well not only for ourselves but also for our families and friends at home and in our country,” said Foster.

Joe Moody is up for his 50th cap.

Los Pumas have changed a lot and it is no surprise that after a year off they made two big appearances in a row. There are only five players left from last week’s draw for the Wallabies, but there are Mario Ledesma’s big five: points machine Nicolás Sánchez, inspiring captain Pablo Matera, back row destroyer Marcos Kremer, lineout monster Guido Petti and hooker Julian Montoya, who excelled against New Zealand Two weeks ago.

It would be an incredible statement of the depth of Argentine rugby if this XV could keep up with a vengeful All Blacks outfit.