Carter: Reclaims the number 10 jersey
The All Blacks welcome back star fly-half Dan Carter to their starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Argentina at La Plata.
Carter reclaims the number 10 jersey from Aaron Cruden after New Zealand's vice-captain missed the last two Tests with a calf injury.
Cruden drops to the bench along with scrum-half Piri Weepu, which means Aaron Smith will wear the number nine jersey following his impressive performance off the pine against South Africa two weeks ago.
There are two further changes on the bench, with young openside flanker Sam Cane replacing Victor Vito and Ben Smith prefered ahead of Tamati Ellison.
"We have huge respect for the Pumas, who have shown in the tournament just how good they are, and we are expecting even more from them this weekend as they are playing at home in front of their passionate fans," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
"The team has really enjoyed the build-up in Buenos Aires and the culture that the country has to offer, but we know that it will be down to business on Saturday and the team are excited by that challenge."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Date: Saturday, 29 September
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata
Kick-off: 20:10 (23:10 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Pascal Gauzere (France)
Television match official: Francisco Pastrana
Comments
georgesmith says...
D. Carter should be ABs captain and not a cheater like R. McCheat!
Posted 05:14 29th September 2012
Trader2 says...
johnputts
I think you misunderstand me. Armchair was saying that the AB's pack will face sterner tests this year. I was just trying to find out who were going to offer the "sterner test" given that all the SH sides have been played. I assumed he is talking about NH sides and was wondering what countries he was talking about. My thinking is that the AB's forwards are not the most dominant, but they don't have to be in the modern game (just look at the Wannabies and they are still No 2). If NH sides think they can win games by having the best foward pack then they should think again.
Talking about living in cuckoo land, well I live in Oz so you are pretty close. Anyway I hope I have clarified things a little.
Posted 00:04 28th September 2012
runnrugby says...
Glad to see Canes on the bench. He seems to be a stronger ball carrier than Vito and overall a busier player. Nonu needs to step up his game, though I think having Carter back will help him out.
Posted 23:53 27th September 2012
johnputts says...
I think Trader2 is living in cuckoo land if he thinks anybody but SH teams could give the AB's a sterner test. Most State or Provincial XV's in the SH would account for the lucklustre efforts of the NH, unless another rugby playing planet perhaps is known of.
Posted 20:59 27th September 2012
golden_statenba says...
Very wary of the pumas but we all remember after the 2nd Irish test we were all writing the ABs off.
I know that was a home game but the ABs are probably the test traveling team in the world.
Himmmmm think the ABs could run away with this...on the other hand a tight win is the RC in the bag and another win towards the record...they could lose? draw?
Guess we wont know until after the game
Posted 17:06 27th September 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I think the All Blacks are taking Argentina very seriously. Okay Hansen's "Ref prepping" is something we could have done without, but it shows that NZ are showing the Pumas alot of respect as far as they threat they bring in their own backyard.
I really do hope the referee doesn't wreck the competition at the ruck.
Posted 16:45 27th September 2012
Trader2 says...
ArmchairGeneral
Would you like to name who will provide a sterner test, I assume you are not talking about SH sides here?
Posted 15:12 27th September 2012
daibok says...
It looks like the ABs are not underestimating the Pumas and are looking for Carter to control the game and vary the tactics. Very astute of Hansen.
Posted 14:35 27th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Dan Carter advantage is greater than home advantage. ABs should win comfortably. I think the pack will receive sterner tests this year.
Posted 12:33 27th September 2012