The All Blacks have named their 23-member team that will take on Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener, with Scott Barrett making his long-awaited return.
Coach Scott Robertson has appointed Barrett to lead the team this Sunday.
Barrett will start alongside Fabian Holland in the second row in one of nine changes to the team that finished the July Series against France in Hamilton.
Tupou Vaa’i also returns to action after missing the Hamilton Test through injury and will wear the No.6 jersey for the fourth time in a Test.
Vaa’i will be part of a balanced loose forward trio, with Du’Plessis Kirifi at openside in his second Test start, and Ardie Savea at No.8 in what will be his 98th Test for the All Blacks and 100th match.
Cortez Ratima and Beauden Barrett start at halfback and first five respectively, with Finlay Christie and Damian McKenzie providing impact from the reserves.
Christie returns to the All Blacks match day 23 for the first time since the second Test of the 2024 July Series against England at Eden Park.
Billy Proctor starts his fifth Test in the No.13 jersey, alongside Jordie Barrett in the midfield.
Wings Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece combine with Will Jordan in the back three.
There is a wealth of experience in the reserves where backs Finlay Christie, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Damian McKenzie have a combined 172 Test caps.
In the forwards, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, and Pasilio Tosi provide impact in the front row along with lock Patrick Tuipulotu and loose forward Samipeni Finau.
The Rugby Championship kicks off this Sunday with the Wallabies taking on South Africa at 3.10am, and the All Blacks will play Argentina at 9.10am.
All Blacks match-day 23
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie.
