Ian Foster says New Zealand must improve against ArgentinaSam Whitelock and Mark Tele’a return to starting lineup
There have been days when the All Blacks must have feared they might not make the sharp end of this Rugby World Cup. And yet here they are, sitting up like enthusiastic meerkats and exuding renewed optimism. Even on a grey damp afternoon in the leafy western suburbs of Paris, there is a discernible fresh glint in New Zealand eyes.
And why not? Argentina have caused occasional problems in recent times, not least during their famous wins in 2020 and again in 2022, but are the Pumas really going to take down a resurgent New Zealand in a World Cup semi-final? Not if the All Blacks can replicate the cutting edge and defensive discipline that edged out Ireland in the same stadium in the quarter-finals last weekend.
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