Codie Taylor back in action following head knock. Video / allblacks.com
OPINION:
Whatever the sport, Kiwis love a fair fight.
As much as we relish winning, the joy and satisfaction of prevailing in a contest of equals is hard to top.
That's not the case in the current battles with the Pumas, who have been dealt the most difficult assignment inRugby Championship history.
Argentina have always been the plucky outliers of world rugby, isolated from the game's hubs, and have benefited enormously from their annual battles with the big three of the Southern Hemisphere since 2013.
But the deck was often stacked, as the Pumas faced more travel than any other nation and always had two of their home Rugby Championship tests, which were their best chance of any success, at the tail end of the campaign, when injuries and fatigue played havoc with their already thin squad depth.
But that's nothing compared to their challenge in 2021.
The All Blacks and Pumas forwards prepare for a scrum. Photo / Photosport
Almost their entire squad is drawn from European clubs, since the Covid related collapse of the traditional Super Rugby format, which means their players are dealing with schedules that couldn't be imagined on this side of the world.
After an arduous club season in Europe, the Pumas assembled in Wales in July to play two tests. The squad then snatched a few weeks break, before facing the world champion Springboks off the back of four training sessions.
They had another bruising test in South Africa a week later, before the trip to Australia, yet more quarantine, followed by two games against the All Blacks in seven days.
Something has to give.
Coach Mario Ledesma was loath to make excuses after Sunday's 39-0 defeat, but admitted this campaign was the biggest challenge yet, off the back of a chaotic 12 months.
"Since last year we have been living in adversity," said Ledesma. "We lost Super Rugby and then players had to go elsewhere, had to find another job. We had to find a way in South America and 90 per cent of our [squad] are playing in the Northern hemisphere and we (the Pumas) are competing in the Southern hemisphere."
Argentina coach Mario Ledesma. Photo / Photosport
The opening test against South Africa was essentially the first game of their pre-season, when they would normally be having a hit out against a provincial team.
"All the player welfare and giving them rest went out the window and nobody seems to care," said Ledesma. "When it is one of the top teams going into quarantine or not travelling or this and that it seems to be a big issue, [with] player welfare and even mental health.
"When it is against Argentina, nobody seems to care. We have been in quarantine and bubbles in the July tests, we were in bubbles in South Africa, we were in bubbles and quarantine [in Australia] and nobody is talking about that."
Argentina's last home game against a Tier 1 nation was in August 2019.
Since then they have been constantly on the road, with all the Covid entry and exit processes that entails.
"We take it on the chin," said Ledesma. "It is what it is. [I'm] not putting it as an excuse but that is the reality, the normality of our players that has nothing to do with normality."
Ledesma, who accepts their fate as the inevitable cost of participation, isn't seeking pity.
But he offers stark perspective, that shouldn't be ignored; sure, we can revel in the All-Blacks' lightning attack and wonderful deeds, but let's not forget the high price paid by the Pumas.
