All Blacks make wholesale changes

– The All Blacks yesterday made sweeping changes to their squad to face Argentina with one eye on the next World Cup as they looked to clinch the Rugby Championship with a game to spare.

The nine changes include uncapped Crusaders utility David Havili, 22, who is on the bench and appears almost certain to get a run in the second half for the reigning world champions.

The other changes include Luke Romano and Scott Barrett in the second row and Patrick Tuipulotu on the bench, while Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are rested.

The imposing Vaea Fifita, who turned the game with a brilliant try when the All Blacks beat Argentina 39-22 in New Zealand three weeks ago, returns to the blindside flank with Matt Todd on the openside for his first Test this year.

The backline changes hand a start for centre Anton Lienert-Brown and rightwing Waisake Naholo, while Ngani Laumape provides cover from the bench. – AFP