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11'
The Rugby Championship

Finlay Christie returns for All Blacks against Los Pumas

Limerick , Ireland - 2 November 2024; Finlay Christie of All Blacks XV during the match between Munster and All Blacks XV at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has opted for as much consistency as injuries allow in his selected team for the opening round of the Rugby Championship in Córdoba, Argentina.

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It will be the 40th contest between the All Blacks and Los Pumas, with all of the results registered on Argentine soil going the Kiwis’ way to date.

However, recent history outside Latin America has been less favourable for New Zealand, with the Pumas developing into a side now regarded as a ‘powerhouse of world rugby’ within the All Blacks camp.

And so, Robertson has looked to his heavy-hitters to start their Rugby Championship campaign on a high note.

Led by returning captain Scott Barrett, who missed the final of the July series Tests against France with a calf injury, the team will head into the Cauldron of Córdoba, which has not seen All Blacks rugby since 1976.

“We’ve had a great week of training in Buenos Aires, and the group is ready to go out and perform,” coach Robertson said. “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.”

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Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
21
36
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
40%

New Zealand team to play Argentina 

1.  Ethan de Groot (32)

2.  Codie Taylor (98)

3.  Fletcher Newell (25)

4.  Scott Barrett (81) (Captain)

5.  Fabian Holland (3)

6.  Tupou Vaa’i (40)

7.   Du’Plessis Kirifi (3)

8.  Ardie Savea (97) (Vice-Captain)

9.  Cortez Ratima (14)                                                             

10. Beauden Barrett (136)

11. Rieko Ioane (83)

12. Jordie Barrett (71) (Vice-Captain)

13. Billy Proctor (4)

14. Sevu Reece (34)

15. Will Jordan (44)

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Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (33)

17.  Ollie Norris (2)

18. Pasilio Tosi (9)

19. Patrick Tuipulotu (53)

20. Samipeni Finau (11)

21.  Finlay Christie (23)

22. Anton Lienert-Brown (85)

23. Damian McKenzie (64)

Unavailable for selection: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Wallace Sititi (ankle)

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Comments on RugbyPass

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Eric Elwood 15 minutes ago
Bath player ratings vs Toulon | Investec Champions Cup

Great match. Nip and tuck all the way. Toulon were up against it and just kept their noses in front. With a 4 point lead into the final minute they took a penalty to get a maul try. This denied Bath the extra bonus point (Bath already had 4 tries) which could be crucial when deciding who wins the group and the associated home advantage. Classic European heavyweight encounter.

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f
fl 17 minutes ago
Bath player ratings vs Toulon | Investec Champions Cup

Shame! I had high hopes for Bath.

Great to see Billy Sela doing well though.



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u
unknown 36 minutes ago
Top 100 Rugby Players 2025

Permanent Red Card for the list Maker !

🟥



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unknown 40 minutes ago
Top 100 Rugby Players 2025

Nah, no even close. Tom curry on top of Siya Kolisi. You’re dreamin !

57 Go to comments
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PMcD 1 hour ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

How else will we learn if we don’t share ideas T? It’s all part of the game.

52 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I think one of the things we are seeing is how well the youngsters are prepared at an early age to come through the pathways, so we are suddenly seeing an influx of players that come from nowhere and are absolute stardust like KLA, LBB, Pollock & Calouri etc.

The speed they are coming through various countries development system are getting quicker and quicker. I think Calouri has only played 12 games of Men’s Senior rugby and I genuinely think they may put him in the 6 Nations squad at 19 years of age (but his skill base is that high).



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52 Go to comments
T
TokoRFC 2 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I need to check out Calouri, I’ve seen a lot of excitement around him! Won’t make anyone’s lives easier by the sounds of it.

Theres a guy in NZ called Taumoifalau that we’ll need to kick on to stand a chance. (Don’t mean to always make things about NZ just thought you’d like the tip)



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52 Go to comments
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PMcD 2 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I have to say, I think Lee Blackett has a tough job on his hands picking that matchday 23 back line when all the players are available. We basically have 2 different backlines playing two different styles, so will depend which one they prefer and then any individual additions they want to add.

52 Go to comments
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PMcD 2 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

Slightly off topic but I watched Glasgow vs Toulouse and I couldn’t help but think how good Jack Willis, Tom Curry & Ben Earl would be for England.

Jack Willis has really developed as a player at Toulouse and is a much better player than when he left. I also watched the Durban Sharks vs Saracens and they really struggled to deal with Jack Willis and his carrying, these really are two options that ENG are missing out on when it comes to RWC 2027 selection.



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Eric Elwood 2 hours ago
The emotional Sione Tuipulotu reaction to 'crazy' Glasgow win

He won’t say it but home advantage will be crucial for Glasgow’s ambitions to progress far. Two more wins with bonus points will likely get them a home fixture until the final. Crucial.

The difference between home and away matches? How harder would it have been to win in Toulouse yesterday?



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Ben 3 hours ago
The All Blacks XV's dominance is nice, but is it helpful?

Appreciate the time and thought 👊

16 Go to comments
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PMcD 6 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I think he would be perfect in the PREM, especially where he gets to set the culture/environment from the beginning and would almost be the ideal person for Red Bull as they look to build a platform for the future.

52 Go to comments
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PMcD 6 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

Spot on - he has become too predictable and there isn’t enough variety in his decision making whilst trying to play the Quins way with the players they have available.

It’s hard to see how that will change with Quins in the short term and I struggle to see which team could take him as a marquee player and provide the forward platform he needs (Leicester maybe) but then you are talking La Rochelle or the next wave of Racing 92, which means his International career is done (in order to improve). Very tricky balance to see the outcome on this one.



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52 Go to comments
P
PMcD 6 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

If I were the current incumbent wingers and was seeing both Noah Calouri & Tyler Offiah coming through, I would be very concerned for how long I can retain that shirt.

Whilst Calouri is the better of the two, they are almost clones, same age, similar height, similar style and both play with those fearless overhead catching ability and are super strong aerially.



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Hard Boiled 6 hours ago
Did Rassie Erasmus miss a trick with his latest South Africa squad?

This article has aged like salad in a bag

57 Go to comments
P
PMcD 7 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

Great post Toko and absolutely spot on.

The only thing I would say, when you see potential of players like Noah Calouri and Tyler Offiah, ENG already have the next wave of wingers coming through who do items 1 & 2 far better than the current incumbents, so it’s only going to get harder to contest in those areas.



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TokoRFC 8 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

This is a good reminder that Furbank was looking locked in at 15 for England 2 years ago. He was very good on their tour to NZ if I remember right.

The blocking law change has created a bit of a renaissance for Steward though. I think (read: hope) either AUS or NZ can come up with a system to counter the aerial assault. It’s a tricky thing though, I’m thinking something like a combination of:



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Eric Elwood 9 hours ago
Stormers blow past Ronan O'Gara-less La Rochelle in Champions Cup

Stormers could have been 4 tries up after 15 mins, but with disallowed tries LaRochelle stayed in it and their undoing was a 14 turnover when they were about to take the lead.

With an academy team LaRochelle were never going to win but questions might be asked about Stormers ability to sustain their run of form deep in the season which is what will be required. If they want a run in the Champions League they need to beat Munster to winning the group which will give them home advantage to at least the QF. They can do it but they will need to improve.



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Eric Elwood 9 hours ago
Munster sweep aside Gloucester to bounce back in Champions Cup

The scoreline flatterred Munster and was hard on Gloucester who were in the match for most of it. Another error strewn performance by Munster echoing their compatriots in Leinster. Ulster and Connaught’s accuracy is good in comparison.

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Eric Elwood 9 hours ago
Glasgow produce miracle comeback over Dupont’s star-studded Toulouse

Fantastic win and comeback by Glasgow. I thought 0-21 at halftime might be too much but Glasgow’s huge effort to keep it at that score before the break paid off. They used the wind excellently and hats off the no 10 Hastings for an excellent display.

Once Glasgow scored the first try, a sweeping backline move, suddenly the mood changed. They then turned over Toulouse attacks and countered deep into Toulouse territory before working it into a forward close range goal line assault.



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