LIVE on Sky Sport: Saturday 17 August: All Blacks vs Argentina, 7.05PM (NZST).
Limited tickets are still available HERE
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)
1. Tamaiti Williams (8)
2. Codie Taylor (88) (Vice Captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax (35)
4. Tupou Vaa’i (29)
5. Sam Darry (2)
6. Ethan Blackadder (12)
7. Dalton Papali’i (35)
8. Ardie Savea (85) (Captain)
9. TJ Perenara (83)
10. Damian McKenzie (51)
11. Caleb Clarke (21)
12. Jordie Barrett (61) (Vice Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (72)
14. Will Jordan (32)
15. Beauden Barrett (127)
16. Asafo Aumua (10)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (60)
18. Fletcher Newell (17)
19. Josh Lord (5)
20. Sam Cane (95)
21. Cortez Ratima (3)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (74)
23. Mark Tele’a (12)
Unavailable due to injury: Ethan de Groot (neck). Scott Barrett (finger surgery), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Luke Jacobson (hamstring).
Four changes to the starting side and the return of veteran loose forward Sam Cane to the reserves are the features of the All Blacks match day 23 named to play Argentina at Eden Park.
There are three changes in the backline where wings Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan start on the left and right wings respectively and Rieko Ioane reclaims the No.13 jersey.
It will be Jordan’s first start of the season after returning via the reserves against Argentina in Wellington from a shoulder injury that had kept him out of the first three Tests of the year. The 26-year-old will wear the No.14 jersey for the 26th time, while Clarke returns to the squad after a standout performance against Fiji in San Diego in July.
Ioane will start at centre with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to the reserves where he’ll provide impact for the backs alongside wing Mark Tele’a and halfback Cortez Ratima.
The starting forward pack has just one change with Tamaiti Williams gaining his third Test start at loose head prop in place of Ethan de Groot, who is having a neck injury assessed. Willams’ previous Test starts came during the All Blacks 47-5 win over Fiji in San Diego and against Australia during a 23-20 win in Dunedin in 2023.
The side will again be led by Captain Ardie Savea from No.8 with Dalton Papali’i and Ethan Blackadder completing the loose trio. Cane comes into the match day 23 for the first time in 2024 and will have the opportunity to add to his 95 Test caps from the reserves.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said:
“We’ve reflected deeply on our performance and our preparation individually and collectively is something we have all owned. Our intent and focus has shifted solely to Eden Park.”
MATCH FACTS
· The 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter final is the only previous occasion the All Blacks have played Argentina at Eden Park. The All Blacks won the match 33-10.
· Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy is the only player remaining from either team from the 2011 quarter final, which also featured current Pumas Head Coach Filipe Contepomi.
· The All Blacks have played Argentina 42 times in Tests since their first match in Buenos Aires in 1976.
2024 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship Schedule
Saturday 10 August
All Blacks vs Argentina, 7.05PM (NZST), Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON – L 38-30
Saturday 17 August
All Blacks vs Argentina, 7.05PM (NZST), Eden Park, AUCKLAND
Sunday 01 September
All Blacks vs South Africa, 3.00AM (NZST), Emirates Airline Park, JOHANNESBURG
Sunday 08 September
All Blacks v South Africa, 3.00AM (NZST), DHL Stadium, CAPE TOWN
Saturday 21 September
All Blacks v Australia, 5.45PM (NZST), Accor Stadium, SYDNEY
Saturday 28 September
All Blacks v Australia, 7.05PM (NZST), Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON