Foster answers the All Black flyhalf question
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Black coach Ian Foster has unveiled his first team of the year, naming one debutant to face Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship in Mendoza.
Emoni Narawa is set to become All Black #1208, after being selected to run out on the right wing at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas – less than a week before his 24th birthday
Two other All Blacks will appear in the side for the first time since the 2021 season.
Damian McKenzie is in line to add to his 40 Tests after being given the nod at flyhalf.
Lock Josh Lord will add to his two caps, pairing with Scott Barrett in the second row.
In his 113th Test, Beauden Barrett has been named at fullback and is set to surpass Dan Carter as the second most-capped All Black back in history, behind Aaron Smith (114) – who takes his place in the No.9 jersey
“We have taken the need to build combinations in a vital year and balanced it with the need to manage the squad after Super Rugby,” Foster said.
“This is obviously a massive year and we are really confident in the way that we’ve been building. We have had a short build-up but an effective one.”
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Saturday will mark the first-ever All Black Test in Mendoza, with all 42,500 tickets sold two months prior to kick-off.
The city at the foot of the Andes has hosted the All Blacks for two mid-week tour games in 1976 and 1991.
This year’s visit was initially scheduled for 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
The last time the two teams met in Argentina, the All Blacks won 20-16 in Buenos Aires.
“We have loved our time here in Mendoza for what will be a tremendous challenge,” added Foster.
“We’ve enjoyed seeing how excited everyone is for this weekend’s game and can’t wait to get stuck into our work.”
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Date: Saturday, July 8
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 16.10 (19.10 GMT; 07.10, Sunday, July 9 New Zealand’s time)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
