Selectors Ring Changes Ahead Of Argentina Clash

A multitude of changes to the All Blacks squad to face Argentina on Sunday morning.

Liam Squire makes his starting debut at blindside, with Patrick Tuipulotu joining Brodie Retallick in the second row and Sam Whitelock moving to the bench.

TJ Perenara starts at halfback as Aaron Smith gets a spell, while Anton Leinert-Brown starts at centre to allow Malakai Fekitoa a week off as well.

Coach Steve Hansen said at some point they will lose Smith to injury.

"We've got to find out if these two other boys can cope and do the job, and now's the time. TJ's in good form and TK needs to be brought back into the group."

Squire has won the nod over Elliot Dixon at blindside, and Hansen said while he's played most of his Super Rugby at number eight, he's just as comfortable on the side of the scrum.

"He's played there a couple of times off the bench and Elliot's only had the 80 minutes down in Dunedin, and we think Liam gives us more at this stage."

"Elliot's someone I think who just takes a bit more time to get comfortable in the arena, so we'd rather bring him off the bench and see how he goes."

Meanwhile the long wait for a test debut may come to an end for Damian McKenzie, who claims the final reserve spot.

The workload of players has been at the forefront of the All Blacks' coaches thinking as they ponder their team to face Argentina this weekend.

Beauden Barrett has played in every game for the Hurricanes and All Blacks this season, for a total of 1853 minutes, spread over 25 matches.

Ben Smith has played three fewer games but has clocked up 1722 minutes and is the All Black to play every minute of every test so far.

Malakai Fekitoa is just eight minutes short of 1700 over 22 games, Aaron Smith is well over 1600 minutes while captain Kieran Read's over 1500.

Starting XV: Moody, Coles, Franks, Tuipulotu, Retallick, Squire, Ardie Savea, Read (captain) Perenara, Barrett, Julian Savea, Crotty, Lienert-Brown, Smith and Dagg

Reserves: are Taylor, Crockett, Tu'ungafasi, Whitelock, Dixon, Kerr-Barlow, Sopoaga and McKenzie.

via Radio Sport