LIVE on Sky Sport – Sunday 24 August: All Blacks vs Argentina, 9.10AM (NZST)/ Saturday 23 August: 6.10PM (ART). Highlights available on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube.
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant)
1. Ethan de Groot (33)
2. Codie Taylor (99)
3. Fletcher Newell (26)
4. Scott Barrett (82) (Captain)
5. Fabian Holland (4)
6. Tupou Vaa’i (41)
7. Ardie Savea (98) (Vice-Captain)
8. Simon Parker *
9. Cortez Ratima (15)
10. Beauden Barrett (137)
11. Rieko Ioane (84)
12. Jordie Barrett (72) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (5)
14. Sevu Reece (35)
15. Will Jordan (45)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (34)
17. Tamaiti Williams (18)
18. Pasilio Tosi (10)
19. Josh Lord (7)
20. Wallace Sititi (10)
21. Finlay Christie (24)
22. Quinn Tupaea (16)
23. Damian McKenzie (65)
Unavailable for selection: Patrick Tuipulotu (minor facial fracture), Anton Lienert-Brown (concussion).
Hooker Codie Taylor will become the 14th All Black to reach 100 Test caps alongside debutante Simon Parker when they run out against Argentina in Buenos Aires for the second round of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship.
Taylor, 34, who made his Test debut against Argentina in Christchurch in 2015, will bring up his milestone alongside 25-year-old Chiefs and Northland loose forward Parker, who will start at No.8. Ardie Savea shifts to the openside flank in the only change to the team that started in Córdoba.
Levin born Taylor (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Muaūpoko, Ngāti Toa) is just the second All Blacks hooker to reach 100 Tests after Keven Mealamu who played 133 Tests between 2002-2015.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said it was important the team’s performance was reflective of the mana Taylor had put into the jersey.
“Codie is a great All Black. He carries a huge amount of mana in our group and it’s important we put out a performance that makes him and his whānau proud in his 100th Test. The way he carries himself and the example he sets are testament to him as a person and he will front this week in the same way he has for the past 99 Tests.
“Equally, it’s a special day for Simon and his family. He’s earned his selection through performance and consistency. He’s a big, physical man, and he’s ready to make an impact.”
There are five changes in total from the match day 23 that beat the Pumas 41-24 in Córdoba, with prop Tamaiti Williams and loose forward Wallace Sititi returning from knee and ankle injuries respectively to take their place in the reserves.
Lock Josh Lord comes into the squad for Patrick Tuipulotu, who was ruled out due to a minor facial fracture, while midfielder Quinn Tupaea will provide impact from the reserves.
“All of the players who have come into the squad have worked really hard and earned their place at training and it’s great to have Tamaiti and Wallace back in the mix. Our bench will bring energy and impact to the battle.”
MATCH FACTS
- The All Blacks’ overall record against Argentina is 36 wins, 3 losses and one draw (in 1985).
- The Pumas have never beaten the All Blacks in Argentina since the team’s first meeting in Buenos Aires in 1976.
- The first All Blacks team to play in Buenos Aires did so in 1976, at Estadio Ricardo Etcheverry, but caps were not awarded by NZ.
- Buenos Aires has hosted the All Blacks v Argentina on 10 previous occasions including a 21-21 draw in 1985.
CODIE TAYLOR FACTS
- Will become the 14th All Black to play 100 Tests.
- Follows in his great-great-grandfather Walter Pringle’s (All Black #30) sprig marks. Pringle was an All Black in 1893.
- Has scored more Test tries than any other All Blacks hooker with 22, two more than Dane Coles.
- Has played against Argentine hooker Julio Montoya 16 times, the most of any international opponent during his career.
- Taylor and Montoya first locked horns 3 minutes into his Test debut in 2015 in Christchurch, when Montoya came on as a substitute.