All Blacks fans saw double on Thursday as one team continued its preparation for the second Test against Ireland on Saturday and another jetted off to Buenos Aires for next week’s one-off Test against Argentina.
The team for Saturday’s Auckland Test saw the Argentina side off in true All Blacks fashion with a haka outside their Auckland hotel.
The New Zealand selectors chose a huge 39-member squad for this month’s tests, with 24 joining for the two Ireland tests and another 15 being picked as the starting side for the June 24 clash against the Pumas.
Tough flanker Jerry Collins will captain the All Blacks against Argentina and is concerned his side will show the same rustiness that brought Ireland close to victory in the first Test last weekend.
”Nothing’s going to be perfect. We’ve got some young fellas and some positional changes,” Collins said.
”Obviously we’re going to make mistakes. We just have to have a positive attitude and look forward to playing.
”We’re all in the same boat, we’ve got moves to learn and teammates to get used to.”
Collins will be captaining the All Blacks for the first time, with Richie McCaw staying behind to take charge against the Irish.
Collins has few fears about the new responsibility, saying he will be surrounded by other senior players.
”I just have to make sure I don’t trip over in the tunnel coming down,” he joked.
The starting 15 will be joined in Buenos Aires by the team coaches and reserves, who fly out on Sunday after the second Irish test.
Argentina narrowly beat Wales 27-25 in a Test on Sunday in Puerto Madryn in the southern Welsh-speaking region of Patagonia, with the second Test to be played this weekend in Buenos Aires. — AFP
