Team named
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has started the World Cup as he intends to finish it, with his best available team on the field.
Hansen has named a predictable starting 15 to play Argentina at Wembley on Monday as the All Blacks take their first step toward defending the Webb Ellis trophy.
There is just one change to the starting 15 who pounded the Wallabies at Eden Park five weeks ago, with blindside Jerome Kaino reclaiming the No 6 jersey from Victor Vito, who drops to the bench.
That means the All Blacks will again carry no specialist lock in the reserves, with Kaino covering the second row and Vito and Sam Cane providing extra loose forward firepower from the bench.
With Hansen selecting five loose forwards in his 23 for the second test running, there can now be little doubt the All Blacks have identified the breakdown as being the decisive element at this World Cup.
The squad named to play the Pumas features 11 players making their World Cup debut, but is vastly experienced with 1211 caps in the starting team, and a further 316 on the bench.
With an average age of 28, there are sure to be calls of Dad’s Army if the side does not perform, but nobody could accuse the All Blacks side of being boring.
Nehe Milner-Skudder’s rapid rise continues with a start in a No 14 jersey that could be hotly contested in coming weeks as Waisake Naholo returns from his broken leg.
The back three of Ben Smith, Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea will be the envy of most teams at the tournament.
While there are no real surprises in Hansen’s starting 15, the bench has plenty of talking points, including the return of tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina.
Faumuina will play his first test since November last year after battling back from a neck injury that had threatened to end his World Cup dream.
Beauden Barrett gets the nod on the bench ahead of Colin Slade as Dan Carter’s backup at first fiveeighth, while Sonny Bill Williams edges Malakai Fekitoa as the midfield cover for the old firm of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Hansen said it was exciting to finally name his team for the first match of the tournament and that his players were itching to get on the park.
‘‘There’s real excitement, enthusiasm and hunger in the group. We all can’t wait for our tournament to start.
‘‘We’ve had a wonderful reception here in London. The boys have really enjoyed connecting with our fans and this wonderful city. But the business is about to start and we’re all looking forward to that because, after all, that’s why we’re here.’’
The side picked reflected the respect the All Blacks held for Argentina.
‘‘We know a lot more about them now because of their involvement in the Rugby Championship. But it also means they know a lot more about us,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘We will need to be at our very best to get our tournament away to a good start.’’