Taylor to earn his 100th cap in Pumas rematch
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Codie Taylor will earn his 100th Test cap when the All Blacks face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
The 34-year-old hooker will run out for his milestone match alongside debutant Simon Parker, who has been named at No 8.
Ardie Savea shifts to openside flank in the only change to the starting team that beat the Pumas 41-24 in Córdoba.
Taylor made his Test debut against Argentina in Christchurch in 2015. He is only the second All Black hooker to reach a century after Keven Mealamu.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson praised Taylor, referring to the soon-to-be centurion as “a great All Black”.
“He carries a huge amount of mana in our group and it’s important we put out a performance that makes him and his whānau proud in his 100th Test.
“The way he carries himself and the example he sets are testament to him as a person.”
For Parker, it will be a first appearance in black after consistent showings for the Chiefs and Northland.
“He’s earned his selection through performance and consistency. He’s a big, physical man, and he’s ready to make an impact.”
There are five changes in total from last week’s matchday 23. Prop Tamaiti Williams and World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year Wallace Sititi return from injury to the bench, while lock Josh Lord and midfielder Quinn Tupaea are also named among the reserves.
Roberston praised the incoming players’ hard work leading up to Saturday’s rematch.
“It’s great to have Tamaiti and Wallace back in the mix. Our bench will bring energy and impact to the battle.”
Two players are unavailable for selection due to injury, with Patrick Tuipulotu suffering a minor facial fracture and Anton Lienert-Brown out with a concussion.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 23.10 (21.10 GMT; 09.10 NZST, Sunday, August 24)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
