- Title: All Blacks step up training in Buenos Aires ahead of Argentina showdown
- Date: 29th September 2016
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ALL BLACK'S PLAYERS DURING TRAINING ALL BLACKS HEAD COACH, STEVE HANSEN, DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALL BLACKS HEAD COACH, STEVE HANSEN, SAYING: "This team aspires to be better everytime we play and if we inspire ourselves to be better than those who want to beat us will be inspired as well. And in the long run that will only be a good thing for rugby because the standard of rugby will get better. We won't stay on the top of the tree forever, other teams will work hard and find a way. Our job is to keep working as hard as we possibly can to stay there and inspire others to really work hard to try and knock us off. I think there are plenty of teams that can do that." VARIOUS OF PLAYERS DURING TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALL BLACKS FOOTBALLER, PATRICK TUIPULOTU, SAYING: "You see a couple of years ago Argentina would struggle against the All Blacks whereas now in the last couple of years you see they've gotten stronger, more physical, their skill sets are very high and they definitely give us a run for our money. Saying that Argentina, the Pumas are getting very close to upsetting, you've seen them upset the other big teams. That margin is getting smaller and smaller." PLAYERS AT THE END OF TRAINING
- Embargoed: 14th October 2016 21:43
- Keywords: All Blacks New Zealand Rugby Union Argentina Buenos Aires Training
- Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00151ME1BZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: New Zealand's All Black's hit the training field in Buenos Aires on Thursday (September 29) ahead of their upcoming match against Argentina's Los Pumas.
The Kiwis have made four changes to their starting side in Argentina. Halfback Aaron Smith will be taken off the field. He will be replaced by TJ Perenara for the game, with Tawera Kerr-Barlow moved up to the bench.
Also dropped were Malakai Fekitoa and Anton Lienet-Brown.
The All Blacks are on a 15-test winning streak and have never lost in their 23 matches against Argentina and are the clear favourite to take out the match.
But Coach Steve Hansen told media he hopes his teams' high standards will raise the competition.
"This team aspires to be better everytime we play and if we inspire ourselves to be better than those who want to beat us will be inspired as well. And in the long run that will only be a good thing for rugby because the standard of rugby will get better. We won't stay on the top of the tree forever, other teams will work hard and find a way. Our job is to keep working as hard as we possibly can to stay there and inspire others to really work hard to try and knock us off. I think there are plenty of teams that can do that."
Three weeks ago, Los Pumas surprised the world champions with a strong showing in Hamilton. Although the South American side lost, it put the All Blacks on guard.
Patrick Tuipulotu is New Zealand's second start for the Argentina match and told media his South American rivals should not be dismissed.
"You see a couple of years ago Argentina would struggle against the All Blacks whereas now in the last couple of years you see they've gotten stronger, more physical, their skill sets are very high and they definitely give us a run for our money. Saying that Argentina, the Pumas are getting very close to upsetting, you've seen them upset the other big teams. That margin is getting smaller and smaller," said Tuipulotu.
There are two rounds left in this year's Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks versus Los Pumas will take place on Saturday (October 01). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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