Match Details: All Blacks v Argentina, Saturday 10 August, 7.05pm NZT, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Played: 37
Won: All Blacks 34, Argentina 2, Drawn 1
Last Time: All Blacks 44, Argentina 6, Stade de France, Paris, 20 October 2023 (RWC semifinal)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Tickets: Limited tickets available HERE.
FORM
The All Blacks enter the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship on the back of three wins in July. The two Test matches against England were decided by less than seven points, with England pushing the All Blacks to the brink in both Dunedin and Auckland. The All Blacks then powered home against Fiji, winning 47-5 in San Diego.
Argentina started their 2024 season with a 13-28 loss to France on 6 July before bouncing back one week later with a 33-25 victory. The Pumas finished their July series with a commanding 79-5 victory over neighbours Uruguay.
SKIPPER SAVEA
With Scott Barrett ruled out of the two Argentina Tests due to a finger injury, local hero Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks from number eight. Savea said there was a lot of expectation on him leading the side and setting up their preparation week with the coaches. "But pressure is a privilege, and I'm honoured and grateful to be in the position I am in today. That's the mindset I try and walk every day. And when you have that mindset, the pressure is not there,” Savea said.
UTILITY FACTOR
The All Blacks have named an exciting bench with Wallace Sititi being given an opportunity from the pine following an impressive debut against Fiji in San Diego, and Cortez Ratima, Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan making up an impressive backs trio. Coach Scott Robertson said the All Blacks are building depth and that is displayed in the strength of the bench. "Beauden's [Barrett] been exceptional and with Jordan coming off the bench it makes the impact special. So having a couple of guys available for the 15 [fullback] jersey is great."
WINLESS IN WELLINGTON
It has been six years since the All Blacks last tasted victory in Wellington. Since defeating France 26-13 in June 2018, the All Blacks have suffered two losses (South Africa in 2018 and Ireland in 2022) and two draws (South Africa in 2019 and Australia in 2020) at the ground fondly known as the Caketin. Robertson’s troops will be keen to snap the winless streak on Saturday and start the Rugby Championship in positive style.
WATCH AROUND THE WORLD
NZR+ is streaming the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship directly into territories that traditionally don't receive a live broadcast. Read the full story HERE to find out how you can watch the game.
TEAMS (caps in brackets)
All Blacks
1. Ethan De Groot (25) 2. Codie Taylor (87) (Vice Captain) 3. Tyrel Lomax (34) 4. Tupou Vaa’i (28) 5. Sam Darry (1) 6. Ethan Blackadder (11) 7. Dalton Papali’i (34) 8. Ardie Savea (84) (Captain) 9. TJ Perenara (82) 10. Damian McKenzie (50) 11. Mark Tele’a (11) 12. Jordie Barrett (60) (Vice Captain) 13. Anton Lienert-Brown (73) 14. Sevu Reece (26) 15. Beauden Barrett (126)
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua (9) 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (59) 18. Fletcher Newell (16) 19. Josh Lord (4) 20. Wallace Sititi (1) 21. Cortez Ratima (2) 22. Rieko Ioane (71) 23. Will Jordan (31)
Argentina
1. GALLO, Thomas (26 caps) 2. RUIZ, Ignacio (10 caps) 3. BELLO, Eduardo (24 caps) 4. MOLINA, Franco (3 caps) 5. RUBIOLO, Pedro (12 caps) 6. MATERA, Pablo (101 caps) Captain 7. KREMER, Marcos (67 caps) Vice-captain 8. GONZALEZ, Juan Martin (31 caps) 9. BERTRANOU, Gonzalo (60 chapters) 10. CARRERAS, Santiago (45 caps) 11. CARRERAS, Mateo (20 caps) 12. CHOCOBARES, Santiago (21 caps) 13. CINTI, Lucio (23 caps) 14. MORONI, Matias (82 caps) 15. MALLÍA, Juan Cruz (33 caps) Vice-captain
Reserves: 16. CREEVY, Agustin (108 caps) 17. VIVAS, Mayco (24 caps) 18. SCLAVI, Joel (18 caps) 19. LAVANINI, Tomás (86 chapters) 20. ELIAS, Ephraim (0 caps) 21. OVIEDO, Joaquín (5 caps) 22. BAZAN VELEZ, Lautaro (15 caps) 23. ALBORNOZ, Tomas (8 caps)