The All Blacks are welcoming the challenge a fairly 'unknown' Pumas side will bring this weekend.
All you need to know ahead of the All Blacks' clash against the Pumas in Sydney
After experimenting with several new combinations last week - changes that the All Blacks coaches admit may have contributed to their loss against the Wallabies - Ian Foster has gone with plan A against the Pumas.
It provides an insight into the All Blacks selectors' first choice side, with Foster opting for basically his best side possible against the Argentineans, who will play their first test since last year's Rugby World Cup.
"A number of players have had a week off and are fresh," said Foster. "The whole team is pretty determined to put a performance in that shows we've grown over the last few weeks, so going to those existing combinations is quite important."
Foster said the players will be determined to bounce back from the defeat.
"It's a sombre feeling when you lose in the black jersey. We're frustrated about that. There were a number of guys who went out for their first hitout for a while, and there was a bit of rust in the combinations.
"It was a formula we had to do because we've got some players we need to give some opportunity to. But it was a stark reminder that you've got to be ready. There have been a lot of good conversations gone on this week, and there are some players disappointed. That's the way it should be.
"What it teaches you is when you get a chance, this All Blacks jersey demands a performance and when we don't perform at the level we expect we have to go away and work twice as hard off the park."
Richie Mo'unga in action against Argentina. Photo / Photosport
Meanwhile, the Pumas won't be lacking any motivation either, with players keen to put in a good performance for fans back home, where Covid-19 has hit hard.
"The key to this week is to give up everything for this jersey," Pumas No 8 Rodrigo Bruni said.
"The thing I highlight most about this group is that they never give up.
"A few months ago we were training and didn't know whether we were going to play."
Match details:Saturday 14 November, 7.10pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
The Herald will provide live updates, and will have live interactive player ratings. You can catch live commentary of the match on Newstalk ZB, Gold AM and iHeartRadio.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 6.30pm. ACC commentary will be available via the yellow button on Sky. If you want to watch the match online, you can stream the game live on Sky Sport Now.
