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Damian McKenzie earns start as All Blacks name team for Pumas clash
Playmaker Damian McKenzie will have first crack at the All Blacks’ No. 10 jersey when the New Zealanders take on Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener on Sunday morning (NZST).
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McKenzie was seen training at first-five towards the end of the All Blacks’ first on-field training session in Mendoza earlier this week, while Beauden Barrett lined up at fullback.
But as announced in the early hours of Friday in New Zealand, McKenzie has officially been named to start at flyhalf for the 21st time in Test rugby.
As for two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett, the talented utility back will provide another playmaking option against Los Pumas.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has also selected one debutant in the matchday squad, with Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa set to enter the fray of Test rugby on the right wing.
Test match regulars Ethan de Groot, Dane Coles and Tyrel Lomax make up a formidable starting front row, while Scott Barrett will partner two-Test All Black Josh Lord in a new-look second row.
Lord was seen running patterns alongside the likes of McKenzie and Barrett earlier this week at Marista Rugby Club, and veteran Brodie Retallick described his Chiefs teammate as a “great player.”
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Highlanders utility Shannon Frizell will start in the No. 6 jumper, and partner captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the back row.
Aaron Smith has beaten Finlay Christie and Cam Roigard to the starting side this week, with the legendary halfback set to link up with McKenzie in the halves.
McKenzie will look to provide quality ball to an exciting backline which includes the midfield duo of Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane.
Joining Emoni Narawa in the outside backs is left winger Caleb Clarke and fullback Barrett.
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The All Blacks certainly pack a punch on the bench as well, with the likes of Dalton Papali’i and Richie Mo’unga looking to make an impact late in the contest.
The match between the All Blacks and Los Pumas in Mendoza is set to get underway at 7.10 am NZST on Sunday morning,
All Blacks team to take on Argentina
- Ethan de Groot
- Dane Coles
- Tyrel Lomax
- Scott Barrett
- Josh Lord
- Shannon Frizell
- Sam Cane (c)
- Ardie Savea
- Aaron Smith
- Damian McKenzie
- Caleb Clarke
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Emoni Narawa
- Beauden Barrett
Replacements:
- Codie Taylor
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Nepo Laulala
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Dalton Papali’i
- Finlay Christie
- Richie Mo’unga
- Braydon Ennor
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments