All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made five alterations to his starting line-up that beat Australia for their clash with Argentina in Wellington.
There are returns to the New Zealand jersey for Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Brodie Retallick and Tony Woodcock this weekend.
Savea replaces Hosea Gear on the left wing while Smith is in for Sonny Bill Williams, Vito for Liam Messam on the flank, Retallick for Sam Whitelock and finally Woodcock comes in for Wyatt Crockett.
"We were happy with our intensity and attitude in the last Test against Australia, but not so happy with our execution when we didn't get the decision-making process right on occasions, so we are looking for improvement in that area this weekend," Hansen told ONE Sport before looking ahead to Saturday's showdown with the Pumas.
"It is going to be very physical, especially up front where they are traditionally very strong," he added.
"We also have immense respect for their backline abilities plus they have one of the best defensive structures in modern rugby.
"They are always looking to work as a unit to shut you down."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Comments
ruckingkiwi says...
I think it's clear that 9 is test material and Romano has done the business so far but Retallick and Savea are only 21? and haven't really got started in their careers, they're there as work in progress.. and I suspect Kahui would be preferred wing if he was available. Vito though definitely needs to step up!
Posted 01:56 07th September 2012
melkdave says...
The one thing you can always rely on is .The ABs will never put out a bad team.Even without DC it still looks very very strong ,and that includes the bench.with B.Barret called up to cover A.Cruden
Posted 13:52 06th September 2012
Carpelone says...
@ all
Thanks for the explanation about the pinky things. Still think it does not go well with mud. Cheers
Posted 13:35 06th September 2012
Carpelone says...
This is a NZ nearly at full strenght, very balanced in every department.
Maybe just Savea and the second row are out there to demonstrate they are Test material.
Would be interesting to undersand why Savea is ahead of other wingers, he seems a strong finisher but I would not rely too much on his defence and work rate.
Only 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11 would give some (but not much) hope to opponents.
Posted 13:34 06th September 2012
makemehappy says...
Should be experimenting more at prop - just about the only area of weakness!
Posted 13:11 06th September 2012
passtheball says...
I'm giving HB a chance for the shield now that Barrett is out.
Posted 12:28 06th September 2012
Kiwiingermany says...
Backline should go well this week without the rugby league player
Posted 10:13 06th September 2012
hayj05 says...
@carpelone - It was actually just a bit of fun, Carter & Dagg got to design some one-off training jerseys & Dagg designed the pink ones. Only a few chose to wear them though.
If it's raining than I expect the Pumas to compete well (At this stage rain is forecast) otherwise I see a focused AB's spinning it wide at every opportunity & being patient with the line in sight for a 30 - 40 point margin.
Posted 10:12 06th September 2012
cuw3100 says...
Blame Donald TRump for this Pink revolution.
He is the one who got the "...REAL MEN WEAR PINK..." thing going :)
Pink is actually related to BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. am sure all the OZ cricket fans are familiar with the Pink day in one of the year end test matches. (think its the boxing day test).
am not sure if these kits or any of the others in England and France and all are related to this noble thought.
Posted 09:38 06th September 2012
georgesmith says...
Beware! ABs make no mistake because they not playing an out-of-sorts, wobbly, Wallabies. This Pumas side is much stronger than what people give them credit for. For sure, they're way much stronger than the Wallabies.
Posted 08:37 06th September 2012
georgesmith says...
With D. Carter out and G. Henry on the opposite end, i expect Pumas expect put up a big fight. A. Cruden has improved greatly but lets see what happens if he is pressured and roughed up a bit by the pack of Pumas. R. McCaw is aging as well and there are many aging agents in the ABs. Pumas need to push the right buttons and G. Henry may well be the man too show them what button is where.
Posted 08:34 06th September 2012
Ferdie says...
carpelone - fortunately the pink kit was a one-off for an adidas promotion, they are not to be ab training gear, neither is the red/blue/white carter wore at same promo event. note only some of the backs and none of the forwards would wear them.
Posted 07:56 06th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
You know Carpelone, at least they choose to train in jerseys (and shorts), unlike recent exploits of another nation we know :) Nevertheless a cool promo for Adidas site miteam.adidas.NZ where you can create your own kit and smart to choose pink to create some publicity.
Unlucky for Carter but ideal for Cruden to have a crack, no disrespect to the Argentinians but there have been a few calls for Cruden to have a turn this week so maybe fate intervened. Good call on the Hurricanes affiliated players, NZ shouldn't lack for combinations in the backs.
Sounds like Whitelock has been dropped but apparently has played 25 games this year so form had to taper at some point and Retallick has been a beast this year.
Still a minor concern over our scrum it needs to come right this weekend as next 4 tests will be big ones. Should be an excellent test, hope the weather holds out.
Posted 07:39 06th September 2012
jonesy2 says...
dan is out and cruden in. beauden on the bench apparently. good move. should rest richie and read aswell
Posted 05:21 06th September 2012
Rude_80 says...
Carter is out. Injured.
Posted 02:47 06th September 2012
Ferdie says...
six changes - daniel carter out with a calf injury, replaced by cruden, and beauden barrett comes in to the squad
barrett is a major loss for taranaki who defend the ranfurly shield friday evening, scoring 22 and 29 points in the last two matches he is the form player of the itm cup.
Posted 02:07 06th September 2012
Trader2 says...
looks good to me
Posted 23:34 05th September 2012
carpelone says...
What about those shity pink outfits? First Stade Francais, then the Bulls and now New Zealand. Look at DC's face when he saw Dagg in pink, thanks God I got the white one.
Posted 20:56 05th September 2012
Lucasrg says...
As we all know NZ will win this game (ok is not gonna be easy but....) I go off-topic:
Those training kits are bound to those rugby store "uglies" bin at a fare price in about couple of months, so save your coins!
Posted 20:20 05th September 2012
jmanngod says...
Interesting that all of the backs bar Carter have been, or are eligible for the Hurricanes... and Lions as we know will eat Pumas for a snack. Roadkill this Saturday!
Posted 20:12 05th September 2012