Brodie Retallick to lead New Zealand against Argentina

Planet Rugby

Lock Brodie Retallick will captain New Zealand for the first time in the absence of Ardie Savea when the All Blacks take on Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Australia’s Gold Coast on Sunday.

Loose forward Savea suffered a head knock in the 38-21 defeat of the Wallabies in Perth last weekend and is replaced at the back of the scrum by Luke Jacobson.

Retallick will become the fourth captain used by the All Blacks in seven Tests this season, with regular skipper Sam Whitelock yet to return after missing the start of the overseas tour for the birth of a child.

Six changes to the starting XV

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has made six changes to his starting side but full-back Jordie Barrett retained his place after successfully appealing against the red card he was shown against Australia.

Asafo Aumua starts at hooker in place of Codie Taylor, who also suffered a head knock against the Wallabies, while prop Joe Moody was named on the replacements bench for his first run-out of the year after recovering from foot surgery.

Scrum-half TJ Perenara was promoted from the bench to partner Beauden Barrett in the halves, while Sevu Reece and George Bridge will start on the wings in place of Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane.

Like Whitelock, fellow stars Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga are yet to return after getting leave for the arrival of babies.

“Brodie is a great leader in this team and we don’t take his leadership for granted,” said Foster.

“We think this is a great honour for him and he and his family can be hugely proud.

“The key to selection this week has been about managing the player workload across the whole squad, which I think all teams will be doing in the championship.

“We’ve had a great build-up in Perth and we’re looking forward to getting to Queensland to finish our preparation.

“We want to ensure we have a fresh, excited squad ready to play a physical and passionate Argentinian team.”

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick (c), 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Rieko Ioane

Date: Sunday, September 12
Venue: CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 17:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)