Damian McKenzie to start at fly-half for New Zealand

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has named Damian McKenzie at fly-half for the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina.

McKenzie gets a preference over Richie Mo'unga, who is on the bench while Beauden Barrett has been slotted at fullback. Beauden will also play his 113th Test and is set to surpass Dan Carter's tally to become the second most capped player for the All Blacks with only Aaron Smith (114 Tests) starting at scrum-half has played more than him.

Emoni Narawa will make his debut for the All Blacks on the wing with Caleb Clarke partnering him while Reiko Ioane and Jordie Barrett form midfield partnership.

Josh Lord will play his first Test since 2021 and will form second row partnership with Scott Barrett while Ethan De Groot, Dane Coles and Tyrel Lomax are part of the front row.

Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor have been named on the bench as they aim to win the opening game of the tournament with a victory.

“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,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

“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.”

All Blacks XV: Beauden Barrett, Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Josh Lord, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor.