With their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina less than one week away, we’ve taken a stab at predicting the All Blacks line-up in Mendoza.
Injuries to the likes of Leicester Fainga’anuku and Will Jordan along with doubts over Fletcher Newell and Sam Whitelock opens the door to Test bows.
Furthermore, with the Round Two match against South Africa more than likely in their thinking, one could expect to see some fringe players in the side.
There is also the decision to make over how many Crusaders and Chiefs receive the nod, with this opener coming soon after the Super Rugby Pacific final.
Predicted All Blacks team to face Argentina
15 Shaun Stevenson: Having not been in the initial 36-man squad, Stevenson is now promoted due to the aforementioned back three injuries. He is without doubt the form full-back in the group at the moment and while there might be a temptation to shift Damian McKenzie to 15, we feel this is an ideal opportunity to see what Stevenson can offer at Test level.
14 Emoni Narawa: Joining Stevenson in the back three is likely to be his Chiefs team-mate Narawa, who has been one of the success stories of the Super Rugby Pacific season. A finishing machine and someone who is solid in his basics, Narawa looks readymade for international rugby and should hit the ground running.
🔥 Shaun Stevenson-Emoni Narawa! #SuperRugbyPacific #CHIvCRUpic.twitter.com/pqPogtgctY
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 24, 2023
13 Rieko Ioane: A likely starter due in part to Braydon Ennor having only recently finished his club rugby in the Hamilton final. There’s also no Anton Lienert-Brown to cover either midfield position due to suspension so Ioane looks highly likely to get a run-out in Mendoza.
12 Jordie Barrett: He finished the Test year in 2022 at inside centre and that’s where he’s expected to begin 2023 as Barrett looks right at home in midfield. A strong carrier, whose kicking and distribution is also top drawer, Barrett’s club season ended on June 10 so he will be fully refreshed and ready to impress.
11 Caleb Clarke: The Blues star also looks a certainty to start due to the absence of Fainga’anuku et al. Clarke has never let the All Blacks down and will hope for plenty of chances to show his qualities against Argentina, with his power game set to cause the Pumas and others problems this year.
10 Beauden Barrett: If we were to rank the current fly-halves in the squad in order of form, there’s little doubt Barrett would be third due to McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga’s stellar seasons. However, Barrett has had an extra week to recover after Super Rugby and this seems the perfect game to hand him a chance to impress before the aforementioned duo link up in the 23 next week.
9 Aaron Smith: Joining Barrett in the half-backs could well be another veteran as New Zealand will want plenty of leadership in their side for this Rugby Championship opener. While Finlay Christie could also do a solid job, Smith’s experience is likely to see him start.
8 Ardie Savea: Another who has had time to prepare for this game due to the Hurricanes’ quarter-final exit, Savea should get the nod over Luke Jacobson for the match. A player who never lets the side down, the all-action Savea will be a handful once again to Los Pumas.
7 Sam Cane: There might be a temptation to opt for Dalton Papali’i due to possible fatigue after the Chiefs’ final loss, but not starting your captain in the first game of the international season would be a bold call. Expect Cane to get a good hour before taking a well-earned rest.
Debut for Samipeni Finau?
6 Samipeni Finau: Possibly the biggest call of this team is handing a starting debut to Chiefs flanker Finau. It seems the ideal chance for the All Blacks coaching team to take a good look at the player and with Shannon Frizell likely to feature against the Boks, could Finau be the story of the selection early next week?
5 Tupou Vaa’i: Whitelock’s injury could well see New Zealand decide not to risk the stalwart in this opener so Vaa’i might get the nod at Estadio Malvinas. The gifted lock is incredibly mobile and powerful in contact and if he does start, it’s a perfect opportunity for him to throw down a marker.
4 Scott Barrett: Outstanding in the Super Rugby Pacific final, Barrett’s seniority is needed in the engine room as it would be a surprise to see Ian Foster go with two relatively new locks as starters. He is in excellent form right now and vital to New Zealand’s push for silverware on all fronts.
3 Nepo Laulala: The picture of solidity at tighthead, Laulala will want to savour every minute this Test season before he leaves New Zealand for the Top 14 after the Rugby World Cup.
2 Dane Coles: Not since November 2021 has Coles started for New Zealand but that’s likely to happen in Round One due to Samisoni Taukei’aho and Codie Taylor slugging it out in the aforementioned final on June 24. The veteran will relish this opportunity and no doubt look to get under the Pumas’ skin.
1 Ethan de Groot: The talented loosehead prop seems a likely starter as he’s had an extended break due to the Highlanders’ disappointing campaign. De Groot has been anything but under par in terms of his own performances in 2023 and is set for a big Test year.
Replacements:
16 Samisoni Taukei’aho: A toss-up between the Chief and Taylor as the impact off the bench, which may come down to who is in the best shape after the recent club final.
17 Tamaiti Williams: It seems when rather than if that Williams will make his debut, with his ability to cover both sides of the scrum helping his cause.
18 Tyrel Lomax: Could well start instead of Laulala but, if he doesn’t, Hurricanes tighthead Lomax will offer plenty off the bench.
19 Brodie Retallick: Having someone of the ilk and experience of Retallick on the bench could prove vital if things don’t go New Zealand’s way on Saturday.
20 Dalton Papali’i: Much like the Laulala-Lomax question mark, the same could be raise regarding Cane and Papali’i. The latter would provide an injection of energy in the closing stages.
21 Cam Roigard: New Zealand might see this game as a first chance to take a look at the in-form scrum-half before bringing in Christie against the Boks.
22 Damian McKenzie: The Chiefs maestro has been outstanding this season and would no doubt impress at 10 in the second half, with Barrett either being replaced or moved to full-back.
23 Braydon Ennor: This line-up requires back-up in the midfield and with stocks fairly dry in that department, Ennor’s inclusion is much-needed.
READ MORE: All Blacks forced to make late changes to squad for trip to Argentina
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