New Zealand out to impress again against Argentina in World Cup semis

PARIS : New Zealand will not take the field just to punch a ticket for the Rugby World Cup showpiece when they face Argentina in the first semi-final at the Stade de France on Friday, they will be out to deliver a performance to be remembered.

The All Blacks, who started with defeat by hosts France, put on a scintillating display against top-ranked Ireland in the quarter-finals, a mix of efficiency and steely defence that left them on course for a record-extending fourth world title.

Argentina fought their way through the soft side of the draw with gusto, but that will not be enough against a New Zealand team who are not showing any signs of complacency.

"We know these games are do-or-die. We know we have to improve our performance," New Zealand coach Ian Foster said - a statement that sounds like an ominous warning for the Pumas.

"You've never heard us say we're favourites. 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 win. Argentina have done that to us."

Argentina beat New Zealand 25-18 last year in the Rugby Championship, but the All Blacks won their last two meetings, in the same competition, 53-3 in 2022 and 41-12 this year.

Foster has recalled winger Mark Telea after he was left out of the team last weekend for disciplinary reasons while Sam Whitelock is back in the second row.

LEARNING CURVE

Argentina will not just bring the takeaways from their victory against the All Blacks into the contest, but also what they have learned from their defeats against the three-time champions.

"In the game in 2020 there are things you pinpoint; you can't say that one game means we can do it because there are other games where we haven't, and lots