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Find your frequency hereAll Blacks squad named for Rugby Championship opener against Argentina
Sport Nation • August 15th, 2025 8:30 am
Photo: Photosport
Scott Robertson has announced his gameday squad for the opening match of the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Cordoba on Sunday (NZ time).
Captain Scott Barrett is back from injury and will start alongside Fabian Holland in the second row in one of nine changes to the team that took on France last month.
Tupou Vaa’i also returns and will wear the No.6 jersey alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi at openside flanker and Ardie Savea at No. 8, with Wallace Sititi still unavailable due to injury.
Prop Tamaiti Williams also remains sidelined, with Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, and Fletcher Newell packing down in the front-row.
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Cortez Ratima and Beauden Barrett start at halfback and first five respectively, with Finlay Christie and Damian McKenzie providing cover from the bench. Christie returns to the All Blacks match day 23 for the first time since 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.
The teams last met at Eden Park in August 2024 where the All Blacks eased to a 42-10 victory, just a week after the hosts were upset 38-30 in Wellington.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie round out the bench for the backs, while 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.
"We’ve had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform," said Robertson.
"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.”
The All Blacks are coming off a 3-0 win in their July Test series against an under-strength France.
New Zealand have lifted three of the last four Rugby Championship winners' trophies, with Sourth Africa claiming the spoils in 2024.
All Blacks team to play Argentina:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (C), 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.
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