Ins and outs
All Blacks team revealed
Only seven starting All Blacks have stayed put.
That’s not a shock, but it still represents abundant change from the team that beat Australia 40-12 at Eden Park a fortnight ago.
The midfield pairing of Jack Goodhue and Ngani Laumape, left wing Waisake Naholo, captain Kieran Read, lock Brodie Retallick and frontrowers Owen Franks and Codie Taylor remain ensconced in the same spots, while Ben Smith has shifted from right wing to fullback for Saturday’s clash with Argentina at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
The notable inclusion is that of Richie Mo’unga at first fiveeighth, where he’ll start a test for the first time. Among those left out are Ryan Crotty, Sam Cane and Beauden and Jordie Barrett.
‘‘While we’ve made a number of changes from our last outing this is not a reflection on Argentina, but rather a desire by us to grow the experience and depth of our squad,’’ All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said.
‘‘Secondary to that, we also know that if we don’t use the whole squad across a long season we’ll run out of steam later in the year.’’
So in, as expected, come halfback TJ Perenara and openside flanker Ardie Savea, after being released back to Wellington last week. Tasman blindside flanker Shannon Frizell will make his first start, while lock Scott Barrett pushes Sam Whitelock into the reserves and Karl Tu’inukuafe replaces the injured Joe Moody at loosehead prop.
Nehe Milner-Skudder returns to the right wing for the first time since dislocating his shoulder in the last-gasp win over South Africa in Cape Town last October.
That game, and trip which included a match in Buenos Aires the previous week, knocked the stuffing out of the team which lacked the gas Hansen mentioned for the rest of the season.
Giving players such as firstfive Beauden Barrett and halfback Aaron Smith a spell this week is clearly an attempt to lessen the fatigue this year, while it’s good to see Crotty and Cane given another week to recover from their head knocks. Aaron Smith’s rest means Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is in contention to make a test debut off the bench.
Argentina have never beaten the All Blacks, but come into this match on the back of an impressive 32-19 win over South Africa in Mendoza.
This is the All Blacks’ first test in Nelson and they’ve embraced the good weather and relaxed atmosphere.
‘‘It’s been quite special,’’ Hansen said.