Barrett's apprenticeship ends
After a long apprenticeship Beauden Barrett will on Saturday get his first start as an All Blacks playmaker.
His promotion to New Zealand's starting XV – for the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Napier – came in the wake of another flyhalf injury hit the world champions ahead of their Test against Argentina.
In an All Blacks shake-up, the 23-year-old Barrett's promotion is one of three changes to the run-on side – where Israel Dagg returns as fullback and Ma'a Nonu is back at inside centre, with a further two changes on the bench.
Aaron Cruden, who has been starting in the No.10 jersey in place of the injured Dan Carter, was ruled out of the third-round Rugby Championship Test with a chest muscle injury.
His misfortune opens the door for Barrett, whose 21-Test career has been primarily off the bench late in a game as flyhalf replacement.
His only two Test starts have been at fullback, against Italy in 2012 and Japan last year.
"Aaron could have played but the selectors weren't prepared to take the risk of him re-injuring himself and being out for a long period," coach Steve Hansen said as he named the side.
Nonu's return was expected after he recovered from a bruised shoulder and his understudy Ryan Crotty fractured a jawbone in the All Blacks' 51-20 thrashing of the Wallabies two weeks ago.
The return of Dagg to fullback has forced the incumbent No.15 Ben Smith onto the wing, with Cory Jane dropped from the side.
"The selectors felt this was the right time to give Israel an opportunity," Hansen said.
We also want to make it clear that his selection is not a reflection on Cory Jane's play, as we have been very happy with his performances."
The two changes on the bench see prop Joe Moody replace Charlie Faumuina on form and lock Jeremy Thrush comes in for utility Steven Luatua in a tactical move.
"We wanted a specialist lock for this encounter so Jeremy is the obvious choice with Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu still not ready to play.
"In the second change, the selectors have been unhappy with Charlie's form," said Hansen.
The All Blacks started their defence of the Rugby Championship crown with a 12-all draw in Sydney before their record win in Auckland a week later, while Argentina have narrowly lost their opening matches against South Africa 6-13 away and 31-33 at home.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett,9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Reid, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Joe Moody, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
Kick-off: 19.35 (04.35 Argentina time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
