All Blacks unleash Sonny Bill-Ma’a combo

LONDON: The All Blacks pack has another chance to shake out the cobwebs, while a potentially game-breaking combination will be blooded in midfield when New Zealand begin their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina tomorrow.

Mindful the World Cup opener against the Pumas at Wembley Stadium is less than two months away, coach Steve Hansen has stuck with close to his best pack to take on the combative visiting forwards at Rugby League Christchurch.

It is the backline, however, that creates the most interest with Ma’a Nonu, arguably in the form of his life at inside centre, taking the number 13 shirt to allow code-swapper Sonny Bill Williams to slot in beside him.

They will provide an immense punch in the midfield to counteract Argentina’s rushing defence, with Nonu’s straight running likely to benefit from his partner’s ability to

Park

in offload in the tackle.

Attention will also be focused on debutant winger Waisake Naholo, who has impressed with a storming Super Rugby season and could be a trump card in the World Cup if he can step up to Test level.

Opponents of the world champions in England might be more than a little concerned at having to face the bulk and pace of Naholo and the prolific Julian Savea out wide.

Israel Dagg has

been retained at fullback despite being one of the many players who looked rusty last week in stifling conditions in Samoa, where the All Blacks needed flyhalf Dan Carter’s place-kicking to get them home 25-16.

Carter and captain Richie McCaw will be playing their final Tests in front of their home Canterbury crowd, although there will be precious little sentiment if the All Blacks manage to lose their first game to the Pumas in their 21st encounter. – Reuters