Thursday 29 September 2016 07:36, UK
All Blacks boss Steve Hansen has made nine changes to his squad for New Zealand's match against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Last time out, the All Blacks clinched the Rugby Championship with a crushing 41-13 victory over South Africa in Christchurch.
Among the changes, Hansen hands a starting debut to Highlanders flanker Liam Squire while Hurricanes scrumhalf T.J. Perenara will start a test for just the third time in his All Black career.
Squire replaces Blues blindside Jerome Kaino, who is ruled out with a shoulder injury, while Perenara takes the place of Aaron Smith, who is rested for the upcoming clash.
In other changes, Patrick Tuipulotu replaces Sam Whitelock in the second row and Anton Linert-Brown replaces Malakai Fekitoa at outside-centre.
"When it came to selecting this side, our key focus was to select a team that would maintain a high standard of performance and also allow us to grow our player depth and experience in the test arena," Hansen said.
"We also took into consideration the fact that we have seven tests under our belts this year and more tests and a lot of international travel to come."
"The expectation is that this side will build on the performances we've produced so far this year and play a game we can all be proud of," the All Blacks manager added.
"This weekend presents a massive challenge for us. Argentina is a very good team they put us under real pressure at times during the test in Hamilton and we've worked really hard this week to prepare."
On the bench, Hansen introduces a further four new faces to the squad with tight-head prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi in place of Charlie Faumuina, and backrow Elliot Dixon, scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow and fullback Damian McKenzie all entering the fray, with McKenzie in line to make his test debut.
"Argentina are playing in front of their passionate home crowd and will feed off that passion," Hansen said.
"We'll have to start well to take the crowd out of the game. To do that we'll need to bring intensity, purpose and accuracy to all aspects of our game."
All Blacks skipper Kieran Read will play his 92nd test for New Zealand, while should replacement lock Whitelock be introduced from the bench as expected, he will earn his 80th test cap, making him New Zealand's most capped second row all of time.
Argentina have yet to beat New Zealand in their rugby history, losing 22 times and drawing once from 23 meetings since 1985.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Kieran Read (c).
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Damian McKenzie.
