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RWC 2015: New Zealand stay humble and admit to Argentina concerns

They face an awkward test against the Pumas in round one

Saturday 19 September 2015 10:10 BST

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is playing the humility card (Getty Images)

New Zealand may or may not become the first side to stage a successful defence of a world title, but this much is already certain: they are playing the humility card as though their lives depend on it.

Last week, eight years late, they finally pleaded guilty to a charge of arrogance in respect of the 2007 tournament in France, where they lost in the quarter-finals. Yesterday, they confessed to being just a little worried about their first opponents here in England.

“It’s not ideal,” said Steve Hansen, the coach, when pressed on a draw that threw up a side as awkward as Argentina in round one. “The Pumas will be really dangerous. They have already beaten South Africa this year and beaten them well, yet this is the first time they’ve named their best side because during the Rugby Championship [the premier southern hemisphere Test competition] guys were off injured or working in a pre-season environment. I think they’ve handled their preparations well.”

10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

Show all 10

1/1010 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

1. Jonny May, England

May came and went from the international stage as fast as he finishes tries, but a strong end to the season with Gloucester set him up to star in England’s World Cup training camp and beat Chris Ashton and Marland Yarde to selection. His double against Ireland in the final warm-up match marks him out as England’s go-to finisher.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

2. Robbie Henshaw, Ireland

Henshaw announced his arrival on the international stage with the match-winning try over England in this year’s Six Nations, and the Ulster centre is a key reason why the Irish haven’t felt the loss of Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll. Henshaw is a powerful runner who is also blessed with lovely passing ability and can unlock an opposing defence.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

3. Finn Russell, Scotland

The Scottish fly-half position remains one of uncertainty but, in Russell, Vern Cotter has a No 10 that has the attacking awareness to get Scotland among the tries. After their reliance on the points machine that was Chris Paterson, Russell could be the man to show they still play running rugby north of the border.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

4. Liam Williams, Wales

Leigh Halfpenny’s absence could, somehow, be a blessing in disguise if Williams makes the full-back berth his own. The 24-year-old Scarlets flyer found himself on the wing in the Six Nations, but now back in his favoured position and with a desire to run from just about anywhere, Williams could be one of the success stories of the autumn.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

5. Nehe Milner-Skudder, New Zealand

Many on these shores will not know who the Hurricanes wing is, but his rise from Super Rugby to the All Blacks superstar has been rapid. Equally adept at playing at full-back, Milner-Skudder has been tipped to take the tournament’s top scorer crown, and his two tries against Australia on debut suggest he’ll certainly be in the mix.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

6. Scott Sio, Australia

A dominant Australian loose-head prop? Never! That would have been the answer until this year’s Rugby Championship, when Sio not only strengthened the Wallabies pack but took the fight to the New Zealand eight and then some.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

7. Damian de Allende, South Africa

De Allende looks set to feature alongside captain Jean de Villiers in the Springbok centre, and he might just be one of those that lights up the World Cup. His lack of experience is countered by his ability to break the line and, with pace enough for a wing, just watch him go when he breaks free.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

8. Pablo Matera, Argentina

If Argentina harbour any hopes of beating New Zealand to top spot in Pool C, they’re going to need to stand firm and concede as few tries as possible. In Matera, they hold a tackling machine who can chop down most of those in his way.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

9. Ben Volavola, Fiji

The Fijian fly-half caught the eye of New Zealand heavyweights Crusaders in the Super 15, leading to a move to the Land of the Long White Cloud that has put him in good stead to start for Fiji at Twickenham tomorrow. Keep an eye out for him trying to prove a point to his former coach at the Waratahs, Michael Cheika, when Fiji meet Australia.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

10. Gael Fickou, France

The young France centre will be a memorable name for English fans following his match-winning try in their 2014 Six Nations match. Despite making his mark that day, the 21-year-old Toulouse back is yet to tie down a regular place in Les Bleus’ starting XV, but why not choose England 2015 to help France go one better than 2011’s final defeat?

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Hansen did not attempt to downplay the challenge of achieving his heart’s desire over the next six weeks. “The statement answers the question: no country has retained the title, so it must be hard to do,” he commented.

“That doesn’t mean it can’t happen – someone has to do it first and we’re the only ones here with the opportunity. But we learnt in 2007 that if you look too far ahead, you get on a plane and go home.”

Tomorrow’s silver-ferned line-up will be just about the most experienced in the annals of international rugby: all the rock-star brigade will be on show at Wembley, from Ma’a Nonu and Dan Carter in midfield to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read in the back row.

Argentina, meanwhile, have recalled seven players who missed the home defeat by the Springboks last time out and, of those, the loose-head prop Marcos Ayerza and the centre Juan Martin Hernandez have the capacity to make a very big difference indeed.

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