Midfield back Francis Saili will make his debut in an otherwise Test-hardened All Blacks side named to face Argentina in Hamilton on Saturday.
Saili replaces Ma’a Nonu at inside centre in one of three injury-enforced changes from the starting side who beat Australia 27-16 in Wellington two weeks ago.
Five-eighth Dan Carter returns from injury to play Test No.96 in place of Tom Taylor while tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina replaces Owen Franks.
After retaining the Bledisloe Cup, New Zealand now set their sights on defending their Rugby Championship title and, if selection is any guide, they aren’t taking the Pumas lightly.
Coach Steve Hansen has named a starting side that boasts 663 Test caps, including 118 for captain Richie McCaw, who is poised to equal former Wallabies half George Gregan’s record for the most Rugby Championship/Tri Nations appearances, with 48.
It makes 22-year-old Saili’s inexperience stand out, having earned a long-awaited callup in place of veteran Nonu, who has played on a painful ankle in recent Tests.
Saili wasn’t employed in the three-Test home series against France in June and missed out on a probable debut off the reserve bench against Australia in Sydney last month because of an ankle injury. Ryan Crotty instead filled that role on debut.
“We have complete faith in his ability to do the job,” Hansen said of Saili.
“He is a very exciting, young player who has a multi-talented skillset that should suit Test rugby.”
Saili was a member of the 2011 world champion New Zealand under-20 team and has impressed in both his Super Rugby seasons with the Blues.
He will play outside Carter, who missed both Wallabies Tests.
Carter and reserve playmaker Beauden Barrett have both recovered from calf strains and reclaim the jerseys worn by injured debutant Taylor (ribs) and Colin Slade respectively in Wellington.
Franks suffered a groin injury in Wellington which will deprive him of a 50th Test cap this week.
Aucklander Faumuina’s 10th Test will be his third start and a tough challenge against the hard-scrummaging Pumas.
Ben Franks, the older brother of Owen, joins the reserves, where he and Barrett are the two new faces from the Wellington bench.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Francis Saili, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Steven Luatua, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau
