All Blacks Face Pumas in Historic Rugby Championship Opener

The Rugby Championship commenced on September 15, 2023, with a highly anticipated clash between the All Blacks and the Pumas in Argentina. The Pumas aim to secure their first-ever victory over New Zealand on home soil. Under the leadership of coach Scott Robertson, the All Blacks have assembled their strongest available lineup for this pivotal match, which kicks off at 09:10 AM NZT.

Both teams have unveiled their starting lineups, showcasing a blend of experience and emerging talent. The Pumas, eager to make history, will field a robust team that includes significant players such as Julian Montoya and Pablo Matera. Their lineup is as follows:

1. Mayco Vivas
2. Julian Montoya
3. Pedro Delgado
4. Franco Molina
5. Pedro Rubiolo
6. Pablo Matera
7. Marcos Kremer
8. Joaquin Oviedo
9. Gonzalo Garcia
10. Tomas Albornoz
11. Bautista Delguy
12. Santiago Chocobares
13. Lucio Cinti
14. Rodrigo Isgro
15. Juan Cruz Mallia

The bench features players such as Ignacio Ruiz and Santiago Carreras, who are expected to provide impactful contributions as the match progresses.

On the other side, the All Blacks are determined to assert their dominance. With a lineup that includes the likes of Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea, New Zealand is poised to bring their renowned attacking style to the pitch. Their squad is as follows:

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett
5. Fabian Holland
6. Tupou Vaa’i
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Ardie Savea
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Billy Proctor
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan

The bench includes Samisoni Taukei’aho and Damian McKenzie, who are likely to play critical roles in the match’s latter stages.

The atmosphere in Argentina is charged with excitement as fans anticipate this historic encounter. The Pumas will look to leverage home advantage while the All Blacks aim to maintain their reputation as one of the premier rugby teams globally.

This match not only marks the beginning of the Rugby Championship but also serves as a litmus test for both teams as they seek to establish momentum for the tournament. As the match unfolds, fans can follow live updates and insights through various sports news platforms, including RNZ’s live blog.