Winger Mark Telea is set to return to New Zealand’s starting line-up for the upcoming World Cup semi-final against Argentina after being omitted from the team last weekend due to disciplinary reasons. Head coach Ian Foster affirmed his commitment to the current squad and decided against making significant changes.
Foster made two notable changes to the line-up that secured a hard-fought 28-24 victory over Ireland in last Saturday’s thrilling quarter-final showdown in Paris. In addition to Telea’s return, veteran lock Sam Whitelock rejoins the squad in the second row, reuniting with his regular Crusaders partner Scott Barrett.
Telea’s absence in the quarter-final stemmed from a breach of team protocol, with New Zealand media reporting that he had missed a team curfew. Foster emphasized that the selection of the current team is based on what the coaching staff believes offers the best chance for success. He acknowledged that Telea had learned from his mistake and accepted responsibility. Telea, renowned for his excellent form, enjoys the trust of the coaching staff.
Leicester Fainga’anuku, who deputized for Telea last Saturday and played a vital role by scoring an essential early try against Ireland, will not feature in the matchday squad following Telea’s return.
The reintroduction of Sam Whitelock results in Brodie Retallick, who boasts an impressive 107 caps, moving to the bench for this crucial encounter.
A minor adjustment can be observed among the replacement players, with Samisoni Taukei’aho chosen as the backup hooker over the experienced Dane Coles, who is set to retire after the World Cup in France. Foster explained that Samisoni Taukei’aho is expected to provide a burst of energy to the forward pack in the early stages of the game without compromising the cohesiveness of the group.
The All Blacks have the opportunity to secure a place in the World Cup final for the fifth time should they overcome Argentina, a team that has handed New Zealand two defeats in the last three years.
Ian Foster conveyed a sense of realism when discussing the upcoming challenge. He highlighted the difficulty of facing Argentina and stressed the significance of the breakdown, which he believes will be a pivotal battleground. Furthermore, Foster acknowledged the threat posed by Argentina’s backs, known for their ability to exploit opportunities and disrupt the opposition.
In light of the team’s performance last week, Foster emphasized the need for improvement, acknowledging that the best team on the night ultimately prevails. The coach remains well aware of the competitive history between New Zealand and Argentina, recognizing the challenges that lie ahead in their pursuit of a World Cup final berth.
The New Zealand line-up for the semi-final clash against Argentina includes:
Fullback: Beauden Barrett
Winger: Will Jordan
Center: Rieko Ioane
Center: Jordie Barrett
Winger: Mark Telea
Fly-half: Richie Mo’unga
Scrum-half: Aaron Smith
Number Eight: Ardie Savea
Flanker: Sam Cane (captain)
Flanker: Shannon Frizell
Lock: Scott Barrett
Lock: Sam Whitelock
Prop: Tyrel Lomax
Hooker: Codie Taylor
Prop: Ethan de Groot
The replacements are as follows:
Hooker: Samisoni Taukei’aho
Prop: Tamaiti Williams
Prop: Fletcher Newell
Lock: Brodie Retallick
Flanker: Dalton Papalii
Scrum-half: Finlay Christie
Fly-half: Damian McKenzie
Center: Anton Lienert-Brown
