All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their team to play Argentina in their opening Test of the 2025 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba on Sunday.
LIVE on Sky Sport – Sunday 17 August: All Blacks vs Argentina, 9.10AM (NZST) / Saturday 16 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 (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)
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).
Captain and lock Scott Barrett returns from injury to lead the All Blacks into the first round of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship against Argentina in Córdoba.
Barrett will start alongside Fabian Holland in the second row in one of nine changes to the team that finished the July Series against France in Hamilton.
Tupou Vaa’i also returns to action after missing the Hamilton Test through injury and will wear the No.6 jersey for the fourth time in a Test. Vaa’i will be part of a balanced loose forward trio, with Du’Plessis Kirifi at openside in his second Test start, and Ardie Savea at No.8 in what will be his 98th Test for the All Blacks and 100th match.
Cortez Ratima and Beauden Barrett start at halfback and first five respectively, with Finlay Christie and Damian McKenzie providing impact from the reserves. Christie returns to the All Blacks match day 23 for the first time since the second Test of 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.
There is a wealth of experience in the reserves where backs Finlay Christie, Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie have a combined 172 Test caps. 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.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the squad was fully focused and prepared for the start of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship.
“We’ve had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform. 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.”
MATCH FACTS
- The All Blacks and Argentina play for the 40th time this week. New Zealand has won 35 and drawn one (in the inaugural series in 1985).
Argentina has never beaten the All Blacks on home soil or won a series against them. - The All Blacks will play in Córdoba for the first time since 1976, when they beat an Interior Selection 30-13.
- Ardie Savea will play his 98th Test match and 100th game for the All Blacks.
- Beauden Barrett has faced the Pumas 21 times, the most of any All Black.
- Will Jordan has scored seven tries in seven Tests against Argentina.
- Damian McKenzie will play his 20th Test in succession for the All Blacks, the longest run of match day squad selections in the current squad.
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