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The All Blacks have travelled across the Pacific Ocean for the first time since 2019 to take-on Argentina in Mendoza. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 5:10am (AEST).
New Zealand coach Ian Foster has picked Chiefs five-eighth Damian McKenzie ahead of incumbent and form five-eight Richie Mo’unga. It will be McKenzie’s first Test since 2021.
It will be the first hit out for both teams in this condensed version of the Rugby Championships, with both sides still figuring-out their best sides ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
McKenzie’s return from a stint in Japan saw him guide the Chiefs to the Super Rugby Pacific grand final where they lost to Richie Mo’unga’s Crusaders. Mo’unga claims his spot on the bench.
Excitement machine Emoni Narawa has been rewarded for a breakout season with the Chiefs and has been handed his All Blacks debut on the wing.
All Blacks great Sam Whitelock is recovering from an ankle injury with young Chiefs player Josh Lord being paired with veteran Scott Barrett in the second-row for his third Test and first since 2021.
Beauden Barrett has been given a chance at fullback for his 113th Test after a shaky SRP season.
With this cap he will surpass Dan Carter, making him the second most capped All Black, now only behind Aaron Smith, who is starting at halfback.
Three doesn’t go into two and it is in-form and crowd favourite Shaun Stevenson who misses out. A decision which has surprised many and has other asking whether this is the nail in the coffin for his All Blacks aspirations.
Stevenson was listed as an injury cover for Mark Telea and the Blues winger remains injured, yet Stevenson remains outside the matchday 23.
The Argentinians have never beaten the All Blacks in Argentina, but the memory of the Pumas beating the All Blacks 25 – 18 last year in Christchurch will still be fresh in both teams’ minds.
A capacity crowd of 42,500 is expected at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, with tickets reportedly sold out two months in advance.
Los Pumas’ Prop Lucio Sordoni will make his first appearance for Argentina in almost three years in an otherwise settled team named by Cheika.
Stalwart Emiliano Boffelli at fullback continues his run of playing every Test since Cheika took over. His boot has kept Argentina in many-a-game and it will likely be called on again if history is to be made.
Lock Tomas Lavanini is a standout amongst the experienced Argentines and will be vital for the Pumas chances. He just has to make sure he stays on the right side of the referee so he can contribute for the full 80.
Santiago Carreras has been selected at 10 despite the more experienced and specialist five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez being available. Sanchez sits on the bench with veteran centre Matias Orlando.
Inspirational captain and hooker Julian Montoya will lead the side with rising talent Thomas Gallo scrummaging alongside him.
Cheika is missing suspended enforcer Marcos Kremer who will sit out the entire Rugby Championship due to foul play during his club season.
Argentina have beaten the All Blacks twice in the last three years, and if that trend is to continue, they will need ascendency in contact and at set-piece. Winning the contact battle will be crucial in slowing down the All Blacks ball, the side is full of strike weapons across the park.
A home field advantage and no travel may be enough for any other side, but Michael Cheika has had to assemble players from all over the world and get them all on the same page.
A slight lapse in concentration, a disjoin in the defensive line or a string of bad discipline can undo this rag-tag bunch of Argentinians. The slightest scent of chaos and McKenzie will slice through the Pumas like a hot knife through butter.
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 5:10am (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Argentina $5.00, All Balcks $1.18 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
All Blacks
1-15: Ethan de Groot, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa, Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor.
Argentina
1-15: Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (C), Lucio Sordoni, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Rodrigo Bruni, Gonzalo Bertranou, Snatiago Carreras, Matteo Carreras, Lucio Cinti, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy, Emiliano Boffelli.
Replacements: Augustin Creevy, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Pedro Rubiolo, Sanriago Grondona, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Orlando.
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