Argentina v New Zealand: Mark Telea back for All Blacks in Rugby World Cup semi-final

Argentina v New Zealand: Mark Telea back for All Blacks in Rugby World Cup semi-final


New Zealand celebrate their victory over Ireland
New Zealand narrowly beat Ireland in their quarter-final to remain on course for a fourth Rugby World Cup victory
Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Friday, 20 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Winger Mark Telea is back in the New Zealand side for the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

His return is one of two changes to Ian Foster’s starting XV for Friday’s semi-final, with Sam Whitelock coming in for Brodie Retallick in the second row.

Argentina make one change for the game in Paris, with Gonzalo Bertranou replacing Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half.

New Zealand’s matchday squad contains 12 of the players that were involved in the 2019 semi-final defeat by England in Japan.

Telea, who crossed twice in the opening-game loss to hosts France, takes the place of Leicester Fainga’anuku, scorer of one of New Zealand’s three tries against Ireland.

“That’s the team we think best for this week,” said Foster. “He [Telea] has done his time. He made a mistake and accepted what happened but you don’t linger in that space.

“We have got a faith in him and think he is in good place to play this game.”

Seven players remain in the Argentina squad from the side that reached the semi-finals in 2015, including captain Julian Montoya and replacement fly-half Nicolas Sanchez, who scored a late interception try in the Pumas’ quarter-final win over Wales.

The winner of the first semi-final will play either England or South Africa in the final at the Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October.

Line-ups

Argentina: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Gomez Kodela, Petti, Lavanini, Gonzalez, Kremer, Isa.

Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Bruni, Bazan Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.

New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Whitelock, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei’aho, Williams, Newell, Retallick, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.



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