Argentina and New Zealand meet at Stade de France on Friday at 21:00, both knowing just 80 minutes, and the small matter of the opposition stands between them and next weekend’s showpiece match.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made two changes to his starting XV from the side that put on a ‘dispossession’ masterclass to beat Ireland 28-24 at the same venue last Saturday. Samuel Whitelock replaces Brodie Retallick in the second-row and Mark Tele’a comes in for Leicester Fainga’anuku on the left wing.
Beauden Barrett, who has scored in his last two matches against Los Pumas is set to face them for a 19th time. Only South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth has played the South American team more often.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster having lost two games to Argentina in the last three years has set up beautifully for both teams:
“The past sets us up beautifully for both teams. We do know each other but we don’t know each other terms of a Rugby World Cup, so at this stage in the tournament it's new territory for us and as we've seen World Cups are very different."
“We have learnt to greatly respect Argentina. They have a rich history of overachieving at the World Cup and have done a fantastic job to get here at the same level we are, so it is going to be a heck of a game.”
Argentina, meanwhile, came back from a 10-point deficit in their quarter-final against Wales to book a third semi-final place. They previously reached this stage in 2007 and 2015, but they have never gone further, losing to eventual champions South Africa the last time the tournament was held in France, and to losing finalists Australia at Twickenham eight years ago.
"Firstly, you've never heard us say we're favourites. We know these games are do or die. We're going to have to improve our performance. The stage gets bigger at this time in the tournament and you've got to grow your game. That's our strong focus. The best team on the night wins - Argentina has done that to us."
Coach Michael Cheika has made only one change to his match-day team from the side that defeated Wales 29-17, recalling Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half ahead of Tomás Cubelli.
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika although the All Blacks are a benchmark in rugby, however, Argentina will be ready:
"New Zealand have been playing for many years, they are the number one team in world rugby. We know the challenge they represent. This is the World Cup. The challenge is daily, every week and we're pleased to be here. We know the challenges are getting harder and harder. History is not in our favour but it is up to us to change that. We have a chance to win on Friday and we will be ready. When we arrive on the field we will do what we do best."
"New Zealand has always been an example in rugby, a bench mark. They make you think of high-level skills, a very open game, but there is always a threat in the lineout, scrums, mauls and rucks. I think in a World Cup semi-final they are dangerous everywhere. The contest in the lineout and the scrums, that is where the greatest challenges will lie. We have been training as best we can, we will be ready. We will see what happens."
Teams:
All Blacks: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane (c), 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 11 Mark Tele'a, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett, Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Dalton Papali'i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Argentina: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizabal, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Facundo Isa, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Matías Moroni.
