Sasuke San; Here are the selections as published on Rugby Heaven:
Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Steven Luatua, Richie McCaw (c), Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Daniel Carter, Julian Savea, Francis Saili, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg. Reserves: . Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau.
allblacks.com 05.Sep.2013
Francis Saili to make Test debut in strong All Blacks side
The All Blacks team to play Argentina in their third Test in the Investec Rugby Championship Test at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, this Saturday, 7 September 2013, has been named, with the All Blacks selectors showing Argentina the utmost respect with the selection of a hugely experienced team, while midfielder Francis Saili is to make his All Blacks debut.
The starting 23 features 739 Test caps and features two injury-enforced changes from the team that won the Bledisloe Cup two weeks ago in Wellington: prop Charlie Faumuina comes into the starting XV for the injured Owen Franks and Saili replaces Ma'a Nonu at second five-eighth. Daniel Carter returns to the number 10 jersey in his 96th Test with Beauden Barrett also returning to the match day 23, replacing Colin Slade on the bench. Prop Ben Franks also comes onto the bench.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "With Ma'a's ongoing niggly ankle we have taken the opportunity to rest him and introduce Francis to international rugby and we want to congratulate him on his selection. We have complete faith in his ability to do the job. He is a very exciting, young player who has a multi-talented skillset that should suit Test rugby.
"It's also pleasing to see the return of both Dan and Beauden from their enforced injury layoffs. Their experience and skillsets will obviously be a great advantage to the All Blacks.
"With regard to the Argentinians, we are expecting a very physical encounter but also one that will see them use the flair and talent of their backline. It is a challenge that we are looking forward to and we are also looking forward to playing in Hamilton. As always, we have put a huge focus on our preparation and we know that anything less will not be good enough to get the performance that we are looking for."
Mini biography - Francis Saili
22-year-old Francis Saili was selected for the All Blacks after starring for the Blues at second five-eighth in 2013, earning his selection with a bustling display of strength and skill in the midfield. Saili was part of the New Zealand Under 20 team that won the Junior World Championship in Italy in 2011.
Interesting facts
* Francis Saili will become All Black number 1126 this weekend and become the 17th new All Black introduced to Test rugby in the last two seasons.
* The All Blacks have played Argentina 16 times since 1985, with 15 wins to New Zealand and a draw.
* Daniel Carter has 1399 points in Test matches - so his first points will see him become the first player to reach 1400 points in Test matches. Carter also has kicked a world record 246 Test conversions and 248 penalty goals. Only England's Jonny Wilkinson with 255 has kicked more penalties.
* Richie McCaw will play his 48th Rugby Championship / Tri Nations match this weekend, joining former Wallabies halfback George Gregan as the competition's most capped players.
* The All Blacks have recorded 381 Test wins (out of 503 Tests for a winning percentage of 75.7 percent) and are moving in on France's record of 382 Test wins (in 695 Tests).
thanks mr win, :o)
i admire the ruthless approach from hansen in the RC/4nats, hes pretty much fielded our strongest team after accounting for injuries.
interesting to see coles on the bench again, that means kev has missed out on two games in a row.
is this a sign of things to come???
i will be very surprised if kev dosent make the bench next week against the Boks.
while i like hansens approach against the pumas, i cant help but feel that hes let an opportunity go by not giving other newbies a run.
starting the likes t kerr barlow, d coles and piutau all who have played for the All Blacks would have been nice, and they still have that core strength well intact with the players all around them.
the benefits are our fresh blood gets a bit more All Blacks experience into them, and there is less chance of injuries to key players. the latter is the most important considering we still have two tests against the Boks.
ah well, All Blacks are still awesome lolz, :oP and as always
GO THE MIGHTY MIGHTY ALL BLACKS!!!
Considering the AB's are not topping the log, I think Hansen has done the right thing by showing the Pumas the respect they deserve after their last outing. Losing against the Pumas at home is unthinkable but still quite possible the second we start getting ahead of ourselves. Recent tests against them have been a little too close for comfort
@wfunston,
valid points, especially the one about not topping the log and it is easy to admire what hansen has done.
but the only test match which the All Blacks even remotely struggled with against the pumas was the frist AB/puma test last year where we won 21-5, every match before and the game after that was pretty much a beatdown.
i think teams can learn just as much by losing or almost losing, so the All Blacks maybe should have chanced their arm a little and risked a few more newbies into the mix but ensuring that the core is still as All Black as it comes playing with the home advanatge would still give us the edge quite easily, but making the situation as close to a controlled situation as possible.
am hoping we dont smash the pumas, would like for them to give us a good scare (but still lose) so that the All Blacks can take it out on the Boks a week and bully the crap out of them like we normally do, :o)
