All Black Tupou Vaa’i is ready if he is asked to slip back to lock from the blindside flanker role he has been playing this year when New Zealand plays Argentina in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship Test on Sunday (NZT).
With lock Patrick Tuipulotu returning home for surgery after a head knock he took after coming on as a substitute in the first Test in Cordoba, returning Vaa’i to the tight core is a possibility.
“I didn’t realise he took that head knock until after the game. He shot over to the hospital to get checked out and now he’s OK, I hope that when he goes home that his surgery goes well and he recovers well.”
Vaa’i said he isn’t concerned about possibly having to change back to lock.
“I’m just grateful to be able to play. If it means that I slot back into lock, then so be it. I’m happy either way.
“It’s been awesome to be on the blindside, to be able to run around freely, hanging out on the edges and doing what I do.
“It’s an easy transition back into lock. I’ve played there the last four-five years now so, I’m pretty comfortable wherever they put me.”
The lessons he took from the first Test were the need to repeat what they did well and improve on Sunday.
“Nailing our opportunities once we get into the 22. We left a few points out there and we need to be using the ball smarter than we did. Our carrying and clean outs need to improve. There were a few mistakes in our skill sets that we didn’t finish the job.”
If Vaa’i returns to lock, his Chiefs teammate Simon Parker could have a chance to make his Test debut on the blindside.
“I’ve seen him work extremely hard over the years in Super Rugby, and the thing I love about him is he’s accurate in his action, he’s got a big frame and knows how to carry the ball well.
“If he gets his opportunity, I’ll be right behind him and making sure to help him prepare well.”
Prop Pasilio Tosi said Argentina is a side to be reckoned with and has been for some years.
“We’ve got to prepare and respect them the same as any other international team we come up against. They’re a strong team.
“We have to remember we’re in their backyard. The crowd loves the Pumas. We’re not at home, and the Pumas feed off their [the crowd] energy. We expect a response.
“They have got their fighting mentality, and they’re not going to back down until the end. We’ll be ready to face them head on.”
Assistant coach Tamati Ellison said in their preparation for the second Test, the All Blacks have been looking for more connection and control on the defensive side of the ball. They took a step in the right direction in their collisions in the first Test, but Ellison feels there is room to take another step.
The All Blacks are aware that the Argentina players will look to improve their work at collisions as well.
“They’re passionate, physical in the collisions and move the ball well. We saw that in last year’s Rugby Championship when they played us and when they put 70 points on Australia. We know they can attack and we respect that.”
And the rain during their session allowed them to make some adjustments in advance for the possibility of needing to play wet-weather rugby in the Buenos Aires game.
Centre Billy Proctor said the All Blacks expect an all-guns blazing approach from the Pumas, but they also want improvement in their performance.
There were things they could improve, and they realised there were going to be moments in games that they lost.
“It’s how we can adapt quickly and get back on top and control the momentum and get the momentum back on our side. We’ve talked about how we can do that, and now it’s time to try and action it.”
Discipline is also on the ‘to do’ list.
“It’s one area that we’ve talked about and we’re going to try and be better.”
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