
Holland starts again for Pumas clash
Scott Barrett returns from injury to lead the team in Córdoba and will take his place against Holland in the second row.
It's one of nine changes to the team that finished the July Series against France in Hamilton.
Tupou Vaa'i also returns to action after missing the Hamilton Test through injury and wears the No 6 jersey for the fourth time in a Test.
Vaa'i will be part of a balanced loose forward trio, with Du'Plessis Kirifi at openside in his second Test start, and Ardie Savea at No 8 in what will be his 98th Test for the All Blacks and 100th match.
Cortez Ratima and Beauden Barrett start at halfback and first five-eighth, respectively, with Finlay Christie and Damian McKenzie providing impact from the reserves.
Christie returns to the All Blacks match day 23 for the first time since the second Test of the 2024 July Series against England at Eden Park.
Billy Proctor starts his fifth Test in the No 13 jersey, alongside Jordie Barrett in the midfield. Wings Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece combine with Will Jordan in the back three.
There is a wealth of experience in the reserves where backs Finlay Christie, Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie have a combined 172 Test caps.
In the forwards Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris and Pasilio Tosi provide impact in the front row along with lock Patrick Tuipulotu and loose forward Samipeni Finau.
In a statement this morning, Robertson said the squad was fully focused and prepared for the start of the Rugby Championship.
'We've had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform. Scott and our leaders have led from the front and there's a lot of focus and motivation in the group for the start of the campaign.
'We know the Pumas identity is a fast and physical game and we've selected a team that will embrace the occasion.
"It's been 30 years since the All Blacks played in Córdoba and we are looking forward to the passion and energy of the home crowd.' Pumas v All BlacksKick-off: 9:10am Sunday (NZ time)
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie
Unavailable for selection: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Wallace Sititi (ankle)
- Allied Media
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Rugby Championship: All Blacks vs Pumas
It's the start of the rugby championship this weekend which features New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Australia. The All Blacks have got Scott Barrett and Beauden Barrett back but are still coping with a lot of injuries - so there are several young players who've been drafted into the squad. Rugby commentator Frankie Deges speaks to Mihi from Buenos Aires. Ardie Savea, Pablo Matera. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: Photosport


NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v Argentina: Scott Robertson reveals plan to reclaim Rugby Championship title
Scott Robertson's strong affinity with South America should help the All Blacks grasp the cauldron they will confront as they seek to rectify last year's Rugby Championship campaign by reclaiming the title. Footage of Robertson scoring the match-winning try – after a decisive Ben Blair break – as John

RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
All Blacks v Argentina: what you need to know
Pumas v All Blacks Kick-off: 9:10am Sunday 17 August Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba Live blog updates on RNZ The All Blacks open their Rugby Championship campaign in Argentina, facing Los Pumas in Córdoba. Scott Robertson's side comes in unbeaten after a 3-0 series win over France, while the Pumas have had a mixed build up. Felipe Contepomi's team scored a famous victory over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin but then dropped a series against an understrength England side at home. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson takes a selfie with fans. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Pumas: 1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya, 3. Pedro Delgado, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 9. Gonzalo Garcia, 10. Tomas Albornoz, 11. Bautista Delguy, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 13. Lucio Cinti, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia Bench: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21. Simon Benítez Cruz, 22. Santiago Carreras, 23. Justo Piccardo All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie Tomas Albornoz of Argentina is challenged by Maro Itoje of British & Irish Lions. Photo:This is a very strong Pumas team, with their main weapons in the loose forwards. Pablo Matera will be fired up for another win over the All Blacks, while Joaquin Oviedo was outstanding in the win over the Lions. Tomas Albornoz comes back in after missing the England series, he is shaping up as a long term first five for the Pumas. Will Jordan celebrates his try with Cortez Ratima. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Scott Robertson has made nine changes to the team that played France but none are a surprise, with Cortez Ratima getting the nod at halfback and Finlay Christie backing him up off the bench. Tupou Vaa'i starts at blindside and Samipeni Finau covers the loose forwards, while Scott Barrett comes back in at lock and leads the side. Argentina players celebrate their Rugby Championship win over the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Photo: Photosport The All Blacks have won 35 of their 39 tests against Argentina, they are unbeaten against Los Pumas in Argentina (W13 D1). The All Blacks have won nine of their last 10 tests including a 3-0 series sweep of France and have held their opponent to exactly one try in five of those last 10 games. Argentina's next win in tests will be their 250th, and they've won six games in the last three editions of The Rugby Championship which is as many as they had won across all previous editions of the tournament. "We know the Pumas identity is a fast and physical game, and we've selected a team that will embrace the occasion." - All Black coach Scott Robertson. "Over the last few years, they've challenged us, particularly in the first game. We've lost a couple of those, so the first 20 minutes can be important," - All Black fullback Will Jordan. All Blacks 42 - 10 Pumas The backlash that hit the Pumas after their shock win in Wellington was a vintage wounded All Black performance, with six tries to one scored at Eden Park. Damian McKenzie got one for himself and converted all of them in rainy conditions, with Beauden Barrett lining up at fullback and Will Jordan grabbing a double on the wing. This shapes as a massive game for both teams, as they look to challenge the Springboks for The Rugby Championship. Jordan's comment about the first 20 minutes is spot on, almost every time the All Blacks have played in Argentina they've managed to snuff out the crowd and Pumas' desire in the early stages of the game. Expect Beauden Barrett to kick often but smartly, as the Pumas have some serious threats on the counter attack. The back end of the game will be interesting if it's still close, as the All Black bench certainly proved its worth in the last test against France to come out with an ultimately comfortable win.