All Blacks team named: Debutant to start, Taylor to become Test centurion

Saturday evening in Buenos Aires will see some significant milestones for All Blacks team members, with a rookie named to earn his first cap alongside a team icon who is set to join the centurion’s club.

Uncapped Chiefs bruiser Simon Parker will start at No. 8 in the round two Rugby Championship contest between New Zealand and Argentina, replacing Du’Plessis Kirifi in the loose forward trio. There’s also no room for Kirifi on the bench this week, with the return of 2024’s Breakthrough Player of the Year, Wallace Sititi, offering fans their first look at the youngster in the black jersey in 2025.

Tamaiti Williams can also make his first All Blacks appearance of 2025 from the bench, having recovered from knee surgery. The prop joins Pasilio Tosi and Samisoni Taukei’aho in forming a near 400 kg reserve front row.

Williams’ fellow Crusaders front-rower Codie Taylor will celebrate his 100th Test cap in the contest, 10 years after he debuted against Argentina in 2015. Taylor will become the 14th player to earn 100 caps for the All Blacks.

“Codie is a great All Black,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said of his hooker. “He carries a huge amount of mana in our group, and it’s important we put out a performance that makes him and his whanau proud in his 100^th Test.

“The way he carries himself and the example he sets are a 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.”

The coach added, “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.”

All Blacks team to plat Los Pumas

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)

Reserves

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).