All Blacks at full strength for Pumas

Editor

Steve Hansen has taken no chances with his team selection for the All Blacks' opening game of the World Cup against Argentina.

The New Zealand coach has picked his strongest possible side for Sunday's clash at Wembley, with livewire Nehe Milner-Skudder starting on the right wing in the absence of the injured Waisake Naholo.

The rest of the team is very familiar, with Dan Carter and Richie McCaw starting in their fourth World Cups, while nine of the starters also started the final four years ago.

On the bench Hansen has gone with Victor Vito as second row cover, over Luke Romano, while Sam Cane is preferred to Liam Messam as back row cover.

Beauden Barrett will be the back-up ten, and there is also a place on the bench for Sonny Bill Williams.

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams

Date: Sunday, September 20
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Kick-off: 16:45 local 
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Angus Gardner (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)