NZL v ARG – Teams and Comments

Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has brought in scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou for Tomás Cubelli in the only change from the team that beat Wales in the quarter-final, for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Saint-Denis on Friday.

Michael Cheika, head coach

On his team selection to play New Zealand:

“They [Gonzalo Bertranou and Tomás Cubelli] work together quite a lot as Nico [Nicolas Sanchez] and Santiago Carreras do. We use this group to start games or finish games. It’s that kind of decision that enables us to work at our best for every game. There are changes but we keep a base, a foundation. It’s not a change for us, it’s just a continuation of what happened last week.”

On playing New Zealand and Argentina’s chances of winning:

“New Zealand have been playing for many years, they are the number one team in world rugby. We know the challenge they represent. This is the World Cup. The challenge is daily, every week and we’re pleased to be here. We know the challenges are getting harder and harder. The history is not in our favour but it is up to us to change that. We have a chance to on Friday and we will be ready. When we arrive on the field we will do what we do best.”

On if Argentina can beat New Zealand:

“New Zealand has always been an example in rugby, a bench mark. They make you think of high-level skills, a very open game, but there is always a threat in the lineout, scrums, mauls and rucks. I think in a World Cup semi-final they are dangerous everywhere. The contest in the lineout and the scrums, that is where the greatest challenges will lie. We have been training as best we can, we will be ready. We will see what happens.”

On weather conditions with it due to rain on match day:

“That changes the game plan but the basics, the important thing we talked about earlier, remain the same. Yes, the rain changes the details but the basics of this game is to contest every single ball.”

On if he wants it to rain during the match:

“I am very powerful but I do not yet control the weather. It is a bit above my pay grade.”

On inspiring the country of Argentina:

“It’s not easy, we want to inspire not just by our results but by our ambition, by our ability to get back up and overcome obstacles. That is what we want to do. To inspire is not about results, it’s not just one player who played particularly well; no, it’s about our behaviour in general, our ability to be ready to come back from difficult times, and seizing our opportunities.

“There are not a lot of opportunities in life – us playing in a semi-final is an even rarer chance and we want to have no regrets.”

On the experience of having beaten the All Blacks before:

“You have to take the moments you are in the game, and you see them coming at you at different times and you have to repel that. In the game in 2020 there are things you pinpoint; you can’t say that one game means we can do it because there are other games where we haven’t, and lots of them.

“It’s not about a numbers game, it’s more about understanding what it takes, what we have to do. That is how you grow from taking those experiences and running with them and having the confidence to run with them.

“It can’t be from that moment [the win], it has to be a part of it, what we have done since then, all the success and failures you have had along the way.

“We know the other team is heavily favoured, everyone is expecting a New Zealand and South Africa final. We just have to play our part in making sure that we are clear about what is going to be required when the heat comes on.

“When they come at us or when the battle is on, that is the moment you need to use those experiences. That is where that [beating New Zealand previously] comes in handy because you have felt it before, you have done it before.”

On Felipe Contepomi, former Argentina player and now coach:

“Felipe has been unreal. He has a lot of good new ideas, one of his strengths is he is extremely open to learn new things. We have had some things where I have brought new things to the table and he can, he is very opinionated about what he wants but he opens his mind to look at new things. I think his time at Leinster has made him [go to] another level.

“The great players don’t always make the best coaches but he was a great player and he is going to be great coach. He has got the knack, he studies opposition well, he has a good rapport with players and he is going to be doing a good job with Argentina in future, for sure.

“I think a lot of his ideas as a player plus what he learned at Leinster as a coach are really forming him nicely.”

On his different coaching experiences:

“Yes, [the good times] have helped me as much as the times I have messed it up. When I haven’t gone good that has helped me as well. That is probably where you get more, but they are all different experiences. This is different as well as I am dealing with a different culture of people, one that I really love and love being around and am connected to.

“Those experiences have definitely helped me in terms of preparing for one after the other. Leinster to Waratahs to Wallabies, those in that collective order will help me have experiences to help in this situation.

“It is a big situation but it is a beautiful one. It’s a big opportunity for us and we are doing everything with that to try to take it.”

Julian Montoya, captain and hooker

On having beating New Zealand for the first time:

“As soon as you get on the field you believe you can win. It’s true we have some firsts under our belts. We were the first to beat New Zealand – it confirms we can beat anyone. I have full confidence in our team and in all of our players. For us, this is the moment to play the best game of our lives and give everything.”

On preparing physically:

“It’s something we have worked on a lot, we wanted to be in top form physically. All the physios since Michael’s arrival have been working on this. There have been long preparations and it’s great to see the good results and to see we are finishing games better than our opposition.

“Of course, as more time passes, the more difficult it gets but it now depends on us. We are prepared, we have the weapons to finish the games well.”

On bouncing back after losing to England in the pool stage:

“It was difficult but we always kept faith and we know the work we have been doing. We knew we were ready, we needed to work on some details to reverse the situation. This is how we face these difficult moments, you can have problems at any point but our confidence in our players and staff enabled us to improve from that point.”

On support from all of South America:

“We are aware of it. We have often talked about sharing our emotions with the fans. We are glad to see supporters here, we are playing almost as though we are playing at home. People have made huge efforts to come and watch us. We know there are people watching on TV, even football fans have been taking part in Argentina. That is something that is important to us. We want to thank people and fight for them. It’s really gratifying to feel everyone’s support.”

Emiliano Boffelli, wing

On New Zealand:

“It’s quite simple, our defence needs to be perfect. To beat the All Blacks we need to play a perfect game. I have faith in the team. We can repeat what we have done already. I remember that game in Christchurch [a 25-18 win for Argentina over New Zealand in 2022] where all of our tackles were effective, all the players were re-organising themselves, all the players were getting back in their places. I think we can do it again.

“There are other details I saw which I won’t mention, I will leave that as a surprise. But, honestly, I believe in it. We are preparing in the best way possible.”

On the performance against Wales in the quarter-final:

“Let’s be very clear, I prefer us to get better and better. We know it won’t be perfect but we have faith in our team. We have improved everything, the intensity in training, etc, since England. The match preparation, everything has gone well. Physically we are fully fit so of course it might not be perfect but we will do our best.

“We are very happy with what we have been able to do up until now. The game against Wales finally showed we have the ability to play. There was some pressure and we were able to deal with it. We were able to play in difficult moments, we were focused. When you see the results between England and Samoa, ourselves and Samoa, it makes you think. I think from that point of view we are happy, we are getting better and better.”

On the return of New Zealand winger Mark Tele’a:

“I don’t know if I am right or not but I am just trying to focus on myself, not the person opposite me. All throughout my career that is how I have done it. I don’t think my results have been too bad. I follow Super Rugby, I know who Mark Tele’a is – he is fast, powerful. He had a great game against France [in the pool stage], he scored some tries and won some duels.

“He is a huge player in New Zealand, however I am concentrating on myself. I have faith in what I can do.”

Thomas Gallo, prop

On the Ireland-New Zealand quarter-final:

“We watched the game. It was a very intense game with over 30 phases at one point but this week was one of the best weeks for us so far and we know what this game means. We know what New Zealand means, we know how strong they are physically but we have faith in ourselves.”

On how Argentina have improved:

“For us as forwards, we always train the same way, with the same consistency and intensity. We have raised our level but we have full faith in ourselves. I think you saw that against Wales. We know what we can do, we are very happy with the work we have been doing in the forward pack.”

On the message to rugby schools in Tucuman, Argentina:

“First of all I would thank them for their support and messages, thank my club. There are a lot of people who came to see me and the team. If I had to say something to them it is to have faith in us. As Los Pumas we will make sure Friday will be a great day, whatever the result. I hope you will be pleased with what we have done on the field.”

Ian Foster, head coach

On having lost two games to Argentina in last three years:

“The past sets us up beautifully for both teams. We do know each other but we don’t know each other terms of a Rugby World Cup, so at this stage in the tournament it’s new territory for us and as we’ve seen World Cups are very different.”

“We have learnt to greatly respect Argentina. They have a rich history of overachieving at the World Cup and have done a fantastic job to get here at the same level we are, so it is going to be a heck of a game.”

On the recall of wing Mark Tele’a after he missed quarter-final for disciplinary reasons:

“That’s the team we think best for this week. Mark has done his time. He made a mistake and accepted what was happening but you don’t linger in that space. He’s been our form winger. We have got a faith in him and think he is in good place to play this game. We really enjoyed Leicester [Fainga’anuku]’s game last week and he should be proud of that and it’s a tough selection. It’s a chance for us to get Mark on the park.”

On Rieko Ioane making an ‘ear cupping’ gesture towards fans after Ireland game:

“It happens on most sporting parks when tensions are high and a lot at stake. Unfortunately recently it’s also included players saying a few things to referees. Is it right for the game? I don’t know. You don’t hear a lot of players complaining about it.”

On being favourites for the match, whereas they were not against Ireland:

“Firstly, you’ve never heard us say we’re favourites. We know these games are do or die. We’re going to have to improve our performance. The stage gets bigger at this time in the tournament and you’ve got to grow your game. That’s our strong focus. The best team on the night wins – Argentina has done that to us.”

On lifting themselves again and that they haven’t already played their ‘final’:

“We had to play a final last week – every game was like that. It was a fantastic weekend. Every team, every game was pushed to the edge. That’s a reflection of where world rugby is at – you have to go bone deep to get to where we’ve got. It’s a matter of treasuring each week – you’ve got to give it everything. There’s no tomorrow – it’s a very simple formula.”

“Argentina are a very different team. We know the breakdown is going to be the same battle as when we’ve played against them in the last three years. They’ve got some backs who want to play and open you up. Can we meet this challenge at the standard we want to?”

On changing Sam Whitelock for Brodie Retallick and whether he was tempted to change a bit more:

“Selection is always tough – it’s about getting the balance between continuity and combinations. We’ve basically trusted the combinations we had last week. We’ve got a lot of faith in all four of our locks and we feel having same start will bring a bit of energy into the pack early with Brodie coming off the bench. Samisoni [Taukei’aho] In for Colesy [Dane Coles, at hooker] the same. We’re using a bit of the energy of the squad at this stage, which we feel we can without compromising the group.”

On South Africa’s style of rugby:

“They’re playing brilliant rugby but that’s another conversation. Without being rude, I’m thinking about Argentina.”

On the most important part of recovery from Ireland game:

“Physical recovery is always important at this time of year. Mental recovery – how you switch off and come down from that high. The best way to recover is to refocus on what the next challenge is, not to listen to too much praise, get softened because everyone is patting you on the back. It’s not a good place to be as a team. When you’re clear about your goal for the week, your recovery comes on pretty quickly.”

“If we’re not on for the Stade de France on Friday, it’s going to be a sad old night. We don’t want it to be like that. We’ve worked hard, we’ve got amazing support, we know we’re playing for a country, so we want to do them proud. No excuses.”

On the particular dynamic around a semi-final:

“The best dynamic is winning – there’s no doubt about that. It’s tense. At a basic level, because of the quality of the opposition. The team that are here have run their campaigns to peak at this point. Argentina have been under the radar a bit but boy have they played some good rugby. It’s easy to get focus because of who you’re playing.”

“The second thing is the enormity of it. There’s a bit of stake. You get people talking to you about tomorrow and you take your eye of today. The challenge is as simple as that. In 2015, the opposition couldn’t be bigger in our eyes [South Africa]. Then in 2019 we probably still stop being patted on the back after the quarter-final [win against France].

Sam Cane, captain

On Rieko Ioane making an ‘ear cupping’ gesture towards fans after Ireland game:

“It’s players’ different personalities and emotions running high in those moments. There’s always people who have different tactics but it’s always just left out there.”

On the quality he prides himself on:

“I thought we took a massive step up at the weekend, but what we delivered last week might not be good enough this week so our job is to prepare as well so that we can put in better performance – personally and as a team.”

On coming down from the high of Ireland game to refocus:

“We won’t know for sure until we get to the game. There’s plenty of us who have that hurt and some scars from 2019 [semi-final defeat to England]. There’s two different Mondays we can turn up for next week and one of them is horrible. We need to turn up mentally right on the edge and be better than we were before.”

On the breakdown:

“I suppose it’s two sides of the ball – attacking and defending. We had some guys making some brilliant tackles [against Ireland] and getting guys to the ground early, allowing some of us to get on the ball. Often rugby is a game of winning collisions, which makes things much easier. We’ve been working hard on making that area a real strength.”

Beauden Barrett, full-back

On playing Rugby World Cup semi-final with his brothers Jordie and Scott:

“As youngsters playing in back yard we only dreamed of being here. It’s one thing to play together in the black jersey. We’re yet to do it in [a Rugby World Cup semi-final]. A coastal journey, that’s a dream, as well. It would be a proud moment for our family.  I am pinching myself to get another opportunity, moments like what we got in the previous game (against Ireland) are why we do it.

“This time mum will be in the stand. She has made commitment to come over so that’s pretty cool.”

On Jordie Barrett’s emergence at centre:

“Throughout secondary school he preferred playing in midfield. He likes the combat and physicality. Through his skillset and height he found his place at full-back for a while.”

“He’s one the few players who has played most positions in the back-line apart from half-back. I’ve been impressed by his physicality, his skills, passing, kicking with great distance. He has come a long way and has found his position at international level.”

On what Argentina he expects to face on Friday:

“We know how physical they are, especially among the forwards. How they run so hard, they scrum hard, drive hard. Everything is about physicality and winning those battles. Then you’ve got plenty of skill among their backs, speed, explosiveness. We are expecting anything to be fair.

“We can only analyse what games we have seen previously. We know defensively we have to be up for a physical battle and for them to come from the heart and we expect some silky footwork in the wide edges.”

On how significant he sees the kicking game being in the semi-finals:

“Fairly early on in the competition we were quite surprised with everyone’s long-kicking game. With the warmer conditions the ball was travelling a lot more.

“We’ll still see a bit of long kicking but with the conditions now – a bit colder, it’s raining – there may be a few more balls going up, contestables, balls along the ground. It’s all about finding that space, having a repertoire with many options of getting the ball there. Having multiple players who can kick is very important for how we play.”

On Sam Cane’s qualities as captain when times have been tough:

“I’ve been very complimentary in my words towards our skip recently. A lot you don’t hear or see what what he says to us in huddles and meetings. He’s a leader you really want to follow because of the way he puts his body on the line. The way he defends tackles, he is fully committed. He is inspiring to us when he does those actions on the field.”

On describing the evolution of playing at 15 with Richie Mo’unga at 10 since 2019:

“The relationship has grown significantly on and off the field. We understand each other more and we understand how we can contribute to the team in different areas of the game, particularly in phase play when it gets out of structure. We are both there and can bounce off each other. If Richie is in the ruck, I can stand up and direct play with the half-back and vice-versa.

“It has been a pleasure to play with Rich, and also D Mac [Damian McKenzie], whoever is out there. The 10-15 combination is very important to this game.”

Aaron Smith, scrum-half

On any lessons from semi-final defeat at Rugby World Cup 2019:

“Just remembering the pain of it is a big driver especially for a few of us boys who’re there. That feeling helped us reset after what was an emotional game [against Ireland] and everything on the line week last week. That’s been the big lesson for us, taking the positives, acknowledging the step we took and how much that cost on the body, physically and emotionally, and rebuilding and finding the edge for what is another huge game for us and an opportunity for us to push forward in this comp which is our ultimate dream.”

On Argentina’s scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou:

“I’ve played him a few times and he is a great player. He spots a gap and he is very explosive.

“Argentina have very quick ruck speed which is something we are trying to slow down. One of their biggest weapons is the off-loading game. Their big boys have got good feet and great interposing and build momentum through quick ball, offloading, keeping the ball alive. Sometimes that leads to ill-discipline of offsides so we have to make sure we keep an eye on him. His kicking game is pretty critical for them as well.”

On the victory over Ireland:

“That was the most proud All Blacks performance I’ve been part of. The build-up, the emotion, the game, the spectacle itself. It felt like that game went on for two days, that second-half felt like forever. But it was so much fun and intensity and two teams just not giving up.

“For our boys to really control that last 10 minutes was the most proud moment. Then to defend 37 phases, stay onside, not to give them an opportunity and for one of our senior players to nail the moment was pretty special.

“Then you look at the other quarter-final, what a game as well. That’s the beauty of this World Cup. It’s been a spectacle the whole way. The French public, the stadiums, the weather. As a player you appreciate how much has gone into this tournament and to still be a part of it is such a blessing. As players it’s your opportunity to make sure you prepare and give it absolutely everything each day for when you get a chance to play.

“We are lucky enough to have another opportunity this weekend and we want to be better than we were last week.”

On coming down from the high of the quarter-finals then getting back up for the semi-final:

“I’m an emotional person and I use things to fuel me. I remember being in the same position four years ago and we didn’t get it right that night. The messaging this week has been about taking those learnings. 

“Going into this game I really want to start better [than he did against Ireland]. My execution was off for a good chunk of that game and it cost the team dearly with a yellow card, and my first two passes found no-one.

“So I’m trying to make sure I can execute my role for the team and I think in the second half I was able to do that, do my job and trust my instincts and play, using the lessons from four years ago. On Friday night I’m in a position to execute my role as best as I can.”

On Sam Cane’s qualities as captain:

“I just love the way that in the huddles he smiles in the big moments when it’s getting tough. As a leader he just puts it out there about what’s going on and what we need to do next. He has Monday-to-Friday stuff with our leaders, pushing us, probing the right questions.

“His preparation is wordless – he just shows through his actions, always on time, there first. He shows up every day wanting to be better as a player. As a guy who has played with him a long time, you get inspired by that.

“When you see him do what he did at the weekend, we were all following him. As leaders, it is our job to support him as best as we can as well. He is an inspiring man.”