Crusaders wing Sevu Reece is among five players who will make their All Blacks debut in the Rugby Championship match against Argentina on Saturday.
Reece will make his Test debut on the right wing, while the uncapped Atu Moli and new All Blacks Luke Jacobson, Josh Ioane and Braydon Ennor are all named on the bench.
Balancing that is the experience of lock Brodie Retallick, captain Sam Cane at openside flank and the halfback paring of Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett.
As expected, Sonny Bill Williams sits out the match after not fully recovering from a hamstring issue, with Anton Lienert-Brown and Ngani Laumape starting in the midfield.
Steve Hansen said the team had a good week’s preparation after travelling from New Zealand last weekend.
‘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.
‘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.’
All Blacks – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Jordie Barrett, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ofa Tuungafasi.
Subs: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
