Hansen rings the changes
WELLINGTON: Sonny Bill Williams returns from three months on the sideline as the All Blacks seek a winning return to the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Coach Steve Hansen has made six starting changes and two positional switches from the team upset 3634 by South Africa in Wellington and regulars Aaron Smith and Owen Franks are among the casualties.
Inside centre Williams is the most notable returnee, having played no rugby since the third test against France in Dunedin on June 23.
He links in the midfield with Ryan Crotty, who moves out one spot. Ben Smith also switches roles, from wing to fullback, ousting Jordie Barrett.
Waisake Naholo is injected on the wing while there is a surprise at halfback, where TJ Perenara will start his 50th test, ahead of Aaron Smith.
A pack already missing five firstchoice forwards — captain Kieran Read, Liam Squire, Brodie Retallick, Joe Moody and Dane Coles — is now also without centurion prop Owen Franks, who has been omitted.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi starts at tighthead and former NSW Waratahs prop Angus Ta’avo is promoted to the bench and set to make his test debut.
Highlanders pair Luke Whitelock and Shannon Frizell come into a rawlooking loose forward mix while Sam Whitelock is skipper in place of Read, who will be available for next week’s test against South Africa in Pretoria.
Supersub outside back Damian McKenzie will miss his first test of the year, having flown home following a family bereavement. Hansen said his changes were designed to cope with a Pumas side that had impressed him in the Rugby Championship.
Los Pumas pushed the world champions hard in a 4624 loss in Nelson and followed that with a 2319 upset of the Wallabies.
‘‘Argentina are a very good side who have shown they can win both away and at home. They’re full of confidence and selfbelief, which will make them a very dangerous beast,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, a large group of All Blacks used their day off in Buenos Aires in a unique way, hosting a training session at a maximum security prison.
Williams was among 13 players who visited the Fundacion Espartanos Prison, where they trained with 60 prisoners who form the facility’s Spartans rugby club.