Mark Telea back for New Zealand for Rugby World Cup semi-final against Argentina – ‘He has done his time’

Mark Telea will return for New Zealand for the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup semi-final meeting against Argentina on Friday.

New Zealand media reported that the protocol breach was for missing a team curfew. Telea replaces Leicester Fainga’anuku, who scored one of New Zealand’s three tries against Ireland, in the XV.

“That’s the team we think best for this week,” said New Zealand coach Ian 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.”

Telea is one of two changes to the New Zealand team as Sam Whitelock comes in for Brodie Retallick in the second row to play alongside his regular Crusaders partner Scott Barrett.

Samisoni Taukei’aho has been chosen ahead of Dane Coles as a replacement at backup hooker.

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

New Zealand’s squad contains 12 players who were part of their semi-final defeat to England in Japan in 2019.

Foster says his All Blacks side – who are bidding to reach their fifth Rugby World Cup final – need to put in an improved performance to overcome Argentina, who they have lost to twice in the last three years.

“We have never said we are favourites,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

There are seven players in the Argentina squad who reached the semi-finals in 2015, including captain Julian Montoya and replacement fly-half Nicolas Sanchez.

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

Argentina: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (C), 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 (C), Savea.

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