All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named five uncapped players in his 23-man squad to face Argentina this Saturday in Buenos Aires.
Hansen has handed winger Sevu Reece a starting role following an impressive season for the Crusaders, while Atu Moli, Luke Jacobson, Josh Ioane and Braydon Ennor have all been named on the bench for the All Blacks opening game of this year’s shortened Rugby Championship.
As well as them there is an interesting selection with Jordie Barrett being named on the left-wing. The 22-year-old has played on the right-wing once before for the All Blacks but has switched to accommodate Reece it would seem.
There is plenty of experience mixed among the youth with the likes of Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett and Ben Smith all starting.
The front-row is made up of Ofa Tuungafasi, Dane Coles and Angus Ta’avao, with Retallick and Patrick Tuipulotu slotting in behind in the second-row.
Vaea Fifita, captain Cane and Ardie Savea start at six, seven and eight respectively.
Aaron Smith and Barrett partner one another once again in the half-backs, while Ngani Laumape and Anton Lienert-Brown are just outside them in the centre positions.
Jordie Barrett, Reece and Ben Smith make up the starting XV.
As well as the youngsters on the bench there is also the return of Brad Webber who is in line to make his first All Blacks appearance since his 17-minute debut against Samoa four years ago.
Head coach Hansen spoke of how he is excited to see the new players in the test environment for the first time.
“As always, with the first game of the season, we’ve worked hard on building our relationships, re-establishing our connections and combinations and getting clarity in our roles. We’ll continue to nail the details further in training throughout the week so that we are bright, clear and excited to play with real intensity come Saturday. It’s going to be exciting to watch how the new All Blacks perform along with their more experienced teammates. The team is a mixture of experience and raw enthusiasm, which I’m sure everyone is looking forward to seeing come together and play,” he said.
He went on to discuss how Argentina will not be an easy test and believes that the Pumas will be fully up for the challenge following the Jaguares impressive form in the Super Rugby this year.
“We have the utmost respect for Argentina. We know that we’ll be facing a confident, physical side. Their players will have taken a lot of confidence and self-belief from the Jaguares Super Rugby season, and with the inclusion of their overseas players, there will be added excitement to their group. They will see this game as a massive opportunity to make a statement and it will be our job to make a statement of our own,” he added.
New Zealand will hope to kick-start their Rugby Championship with a win, knowing that their Crusaders contingent will return to the squad next week, with this being a chance for some players to lay down a marker in their absence.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
1. Ofa Tuungafasi (26)
2. Dane Coles (60)
3. Angus Ta’avao (3)
4. Brodie Retallick (75)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (21)
6. Vaea Fifita (9)
7. Sam Cane – captain (58)
8. Ardie Savea (35)
9. Aaron Smith (82)
10. Beauden Barrett (73)
11. Jordie Barrett (9)
12. Ngani Laumape (10)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (33)
14. Sevu Reece *
15. Ben Smith (72)
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman (4)
17. Atu Moli *
18. Nepo Laulala (17)
19. Jackson Hemopo (3)
20. Luke Jacobson *
21. Brad Weber (1)
22. Josh Ioane *
23. Braydon Ennor *
