WELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Buenos Aires is part of a two-match experiment, imperative to New Zealand’s defence of the World Cup in Japan next year. Hansen said the All Blacks’ last two matches against Argentina and South Africa will allow coaches and players to simulate conditions New Zealand might encounter in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Its next two tests against the Pumas and Springboks would allow it to test itself in similar circumstances and without frontline players as might be the case in World Cup playoffs. He didn’t say that the experiment has become more urgent and its outcome more critical since the All Blacks’ buildup to the World Cup was shaken by its surprise 36-34 loss to South Africa in its latest test. One of the All Blacks trump cards is their image of invincibility and if they lose that a year out from the World Cup, their progress to another world championship will be more difficult.

Source: National Post September 28, 2018 07:41 UTC