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Rugby Championship: All Blacks v Argentina. Where: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza. When: Sunday, July 9, 7.10am (NZT). Coverage: Live on Sky Sport, live updates on Stuff from 6.50am
Damian McKenzie has been rewarded with the No 10 jersey for the All Blacks’ test against Argentina in Mendoza on Sunday morning.
The Chiefs playmaker is poised to make his first test appearance in more than 19 months after coach Ian Foster revealed his team for the All Blacks’ first Rugby Championship match at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
Foster’s decision to start McKenzie at first five-eighth means Richie Mo’unga, who was instrumental in guiding the Crusaders to the Super Rugby Pacific title when they beat the Chiefs in the final on June 24, has been listed in the reserves.
Beauden Barrett, a vastly experienced first-five with 112 test caps, has been listed at fullback as the All Blacks aim to retain their unbeaten record in Argentina.
While Foster has made a number of intriguing selections, which includes introducing the uncapped Emoni Narawa to the right wing, the decision to give McKenzie the keys to the backline was one of the major talking points as the All Blacks begin their preparations for the World Cup in France later this year.
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Emoni Narawa will make his test debut for the All Blacks when he starts on the right wing.
Although McKenzie had been in excellent form for the Chiefs, Foster’s preference for him to get a run ahead of Mo’unga can still be regarded as a surprise.
Foster, however, may be wanting to limit Mo’unga’s exposure against the Pumas, to ensure he’s fresh to start the test against the Springboks in Auckland next weekend.
McKenzie, having been ignored by Foster last year after he elected to make himself unavailable for the Chiefs because he was playing in Japan, will welcome this opportunity to make his 41st test appearance.
Having missed the 2019 World Cup because of a serious knee injury, McKenzie has the chance to showcase his skills in front of the passionate Pumas fans and prove he has the temperament to be a viable option at No 10 for the global tournament.
Foster, no doubt with one eye on the test against the Springboks, has threaded experienced players throughout his line-up but omitted Sam Whitelock, who has been nursing a sore Achilles tendon, and fellow test centurion Brodie Retallick, from his match-day 23.
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Josh Lord will start at lock when the All Blacks play the Pumas in Mendoza.
Lock Josh Lord will start his third test. He has been named alongside Scott Barrett in the second row, and Tupou Vaa’i will provide cover off the bench.
Veteran hooker Dane Coles gets the nod to start at hooker, with Codie Taylor to provide back-up from the bench.
Beauden Barrett will become the third most capped All Blacks back when he takes the field; he will surpass Dan Carter’s milestone. Halfback Aaron Smith, who will start in Mendoza, has played 114 tests.
Uncapped halfback Cam Roigard, loose forward Samipeni Finau and prop Tamaiti Williams were among those left out. Outside backs Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga’anuku didn’t travel because of migraine and leg issues, respectively.
“We have taken the need to build combinations in a vital year and balanced it with the need to manage the squad after Super Rugby,” Foster said in a statement.
“This is obviously a massive year and we are really confident in the way that we’ve been building. We have had a short build-up but an effective one.”
All Blacks team to play Argentina in Mendoza on Sunday morning.
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Josh Lord, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor.
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