Winger Mark Telea returns to New Zealand’s starting line-up for Friday’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina after being left out of the team last weekend for disciplinary reasons.
‘Mark has done his time, he made a mistake and has accepted that and we are not lingering in that space,’ Foster told a press conference on Wednesday. ‘Mark has been our form winger and we’ve got a lot of faith in him.’
Telea was one of two changes announced by coach Ian Foster to the line-up that outlasted Ireland 28-24 in last Saturday’s dramatic quarter-final clash in Paris. The winger was left out or a breach of team protocol, which New Zealand media said was after missing a team curfew.
His replacement last Saturday was Leicester Faingaâanuku, who despite scoring a crucial early try against the Irish, drops out of the matchday squad. Veteran lock Sam Whitelock’s return means Brodie Retallick, who has 107 caps, moves to the bench.
‘Sam will bring extra energy to our pack early. Samisoni, too, is chomping at the bit and it’s about using that extra bit of energy without compromising the group,’ added Foster. The All Blacks will qualify for a fifth World Cup final if they beat Argentina, to whom they have lost twice in the last three years.
There is also a tweak among the replacements at backup hooker with Samisoni Taukeiâaho chosen ahead of the experienced Dane Coles, who retires after the tournament in France.
‘We have never said we are favourites and we know Argentina are a difficult team, a different side. The breakdown will be where we think the battle will be and they have backs that want to run and open you up,’ the coach said. ‘We know we have to improve on our performance from last week. It is the best team on the night that wins and we know what Argentina have done to us in the past.’
