Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The All Blacks team to play Argentina in the Rugby Championship match at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata in La Plata, Argentina, on Saturday, has been named.
Kick-off is at 01:10 on Sunday morning, SA time.
According to the allblacks.com website, All Blacks vice-captain Daniel Carter has returned to the starting XV, having recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of the All Blacks last Test against South Africa 12 days ago.
Aaron Smith starts at scrumhalf with Piri Weepu on the bench.
There is just one change to the forwards bench with loose forward Sam Cane making his first match day 22 appearance in the tournament.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: "We have huge respect for the Pumas, who have shown in the tournament just how good they are, and we are expecting even more from them this weekend as they are playing at home in front of their passionate fans."
"The team has really enjoyed the build-up in Buenos Aires and the culture that the country has to offer, but we know that it will be down to business on Saturday and the team are excited by that challenge," he added.
Stats and facts:
The All Blacks have played Argentina in 15 Tests since 1985, with the last Test in Wellington earlier this month. The All Blacks have won 14 times with a 21-all draw in 1985.
Daniel Carter and Tony Woodcock will be playing their 90th Tests this weekend while Andrew Hore will play his 70th Test. Keven Mealamu will play his 98th Test should he be called upon off the substitutes' bench.
Richie McCaw will play in his 44th Tri-Nations / Rugby Championship game - a record for a New Zealand player.
Teams:
Argentina:
15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero
Substitutes: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Tomas Vallejos, 19 Tomas Leonardi, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Martin Rodriguez, 22 Juan Imhoff
New Zealand:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieren Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith
Kick-off is at 01:10 on Sunday morning, SA time.
According to the allblacks.com website, All Blacks vice-captain Daniel Carter has returned to the starting XV, having recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of the All Blacks last Test against South Africa 12 days ago.
Aaron Smith starts at scrumhalf with Piri Weepu on the bench.
There is just one change to the forwards bench with loose forward Sam Cane making his first match day 22 appearance in the tournament.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: "We have huge respect for the Pumas, who have shown in the tournament just how good they are, and we are expecting even more from them this weekend as they are playing at home in front of their passionate fans."
"The team has really enjoyed the build-up in Buenos Aires and the culture that the country has to offer, but we know that it will be down to business on Saturday and the team are excited by that challenge," he added.
Stats and facts:
The All Blacks have played Argentina in 15 Tests since 1985, with the last Test in Wellington earlier this month. The All Blacks have won 14 times with a 21-all draw in 1985.
Daniel Carter and Tony Woodcock will be playing their 90th Tests this weekend while Andrew Hore will play his 70th Test. Keven Mealamu will play his 98th Test should he be called upon off the substitutes' bench.
Richie McCaw will play in his 44th Tri-Nations / Rugby Championship game - a record for a New Zealand player.
Teams:
Argentina:
15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero
Substitutes: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Tomas Vallejos, 19 Tomas Leonardi, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Martin Rodriguez, 22 Juan Imhoff
New Zealand:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieren Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith
