All Blacks rotate for Argentina

Editor

The New Zealand matchday 23 features just three changes from the team that secured the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington. 

Ryan Crotty returns to inside centre, with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to the bench while Codie Taylor is named at replacement hooker and Luke Romano comes onto the bench as lock cover.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: "In selecting this team, we felt there was the need for consistency. The squad is five games into re-establishing themselves on the international stage and we felt that it would not be right to make a lot of changes."

"We know we’ll be facing a completely different challenge this week. Argentina will bring their traditional physicality up front and flair in the backs and we will have to be ready for whatever they throw at us.

"They have shown in their time in the Rugby Championship, and especially in their two recent Tests against South Africa, that they are a very good side and will bring their own unique challenges.

"We have worked hard during the early part of the week on getting reconnected as a group, getting the understanding of our roles cemented, and getting our mental attitude right. We’ll need to be right on top of our game, both mentally and physically, and play the game with real accuracy, if we are to prevail on Saturday."

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Date: Saturday, September 10
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)