All Blacks v Argentina recap: Scott Robertson’s side open Rugby Championship with win in Cordoba
The All Blacks have beaten Argentina 41-24 to open their Rugby Championship campaign in Cordoba.
That's all folks
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Thank you for joining our coverage of the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opener. We'll be here throughout the day with more All Blacks content, so be sure to come back for that.
Until then, have a great Sunday New Zealand.
Liam Napier reports from Cordoba
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'Very pleasing': Scott Barrett says poor discipline kept Pumas in it
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Scott Barrett told Sky Sports the win was "very pleasing" after the All Blacks spoke about starting well.
"I think we did that and finished the second half quite strong, bit of a statement there.
"In the second half we were a little bit slow and probably a little bit of discipline fed their game, which was disappointing [and] allowed the crowd to get in behind them.
"They threw a lot of punches at us."
Discipline a work-on for All Blacks - Sevu Reece
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"It was a tough game. Argentina stuck with it right 'til the last minute," Sevu Reece told Sky Sports after the game.
"We had our moments and they had theirs, but it was a good game [and] I'm just glad we came away with the win."
Reece said discipline and 50/50 passes were things the All Blacks needed to work on.
"That's probably where we slacked off a little bit."
He said the crowd was "amazing".
"We're looking forward again to next week and hopefully we have the same crowd in Buenos Aires."
Which Argentine impressed the most?
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Who was your man of the match?
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All Blacks back to world No 1
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And with that win, the All Blacks have surged back to the top of the World Rugby rankings for the first time since November 2021.
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The All Blacks have held off an early second-half comeback from the Pumas to win their first game of their Rugby Championship campaign.
Two late tries from Taukei'aho off the rolling maul put it beyond doubt for the visitors.
FULLTIME
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The hooter sounds. Christie passes it to Jordie Barrett who dribbles it into touch with some assistance from the corner flag.
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The All Blacks will wind down the clock here.
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Argentina have one last shot for a consolation try, but the lineout is stolen again, this time by Tuipulotu.
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Argentina kick for the corner but the lineout is stolen by Vaa'i. It's scrambled into touch by Christie around 20m out.
YELLOW CARD
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The Pumas go for touch, finding it near the 22m line.
They spread it out wide to Mallia who is in space and works his way within 10m of the line.
The referee calls time off as the TMO looks at a tackle off the ball from Lienert-Brown on Chocobares.
Lienert-Brown is shown yellow with three minutes left on the clock.
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Jordie Barrett takes the restart before Vaa'i carries it outside the 22.
The kick from Christie sails into touch on the full.
The lineout is overthrown and the All Blacks kick the ball in behind before Anton Lienert-Brown is penalised for tackling a player off the ball.
ALL BLACKS TRY
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Taukei'aho gets two in five minutes! The lineout is taken down by Vaa'i again and they set the maul.
The All Blacks power through the Pumas and Taukei'aho muscles his way over the line for his second try of the night.
Barrett's conversion from the right sideline misses.
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The All Blacks are awarded a lineout 40m out from Argentina's line.
Vaa'i takes it in but the Pumas give away another penalty for bringing it down illegally.
They'll go for touch again.
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Ten minutes to go in Cordoba and the All Blacks extend their lead.
ALL BLACKS TRY
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The decision to turn down the three finally pays off for the All Blacks!
The rolling maul works this time and Taukei'aho breaks off before crashing over to the right of the posts.
Beauden Barrett's conversion sails away off the posts.
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The driving maul is taken down by Tuipulotu and is stopped by Argentina 5m out from the line.
It breaks away and the All Blacks are awarded a penalty for an offside. They go for touch again.
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The All Blacks work their way up towards the 40m line and are awarded a penalty for not rolling away.
The decide against the three points and go for touch. Barrett finds the sideline 10m out from the line.
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The deep restart is taken down by Argentina and slammed into touch by Albornoz around halfway.
Conversion
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Albornoz adds the extras from out in front.
ARGENTINA TRY
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The Pumas take the tap, threatening the All Blacks' line again.
They're under penalty advantage and look to go over before a try saver from Tuipulotu.
Oviedo catches the defence napping, takes it from the ruck and dots it down under the sticks. The Pumas aren't out of it yet.
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Beauden Barrett scrambles the ball into touch 20m out from the All Blacks line.
The Pumas take down the lineout and are on the attack again.
They work their way to within 10m before the All Blacks are penalised again. This time Jordie Barrett for being offside.
YELLOW CARD
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Billy Proctor is carded! A penalty from the lineout is taken quickly by Matera. Proctor plays the ball in an offside position and is shown yellow.
The Pumas take a scrum but it's lost by Argentina. They All Blacks are relieved.
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Argentina win the penalty from the scrum. The All Blacks front row is called for hinging.
The Pumas go for touch and have a lineout 10m out.
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The Pumas surge into the All Blacks' half on the back of the penalty. They make their way down towards the 22 before an offload is knocked on with a good cover tackle by Tosi.
All Blacks scrum 22m from their own line.
More All Blacks changes
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Scott Barrett has been replaced by Patrick Tuipulotu, Ethan de Groot by Ollie Norris and Sevu Reece by Damian McKenzie.
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The Pumas are awarded a penalty after the All Blacks regained their kickoff.
They trade kicks with the All Blacks and work their way down the field before they're awarded another for Scott Barrett not rolling away.
All Blacks changes
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Ratima, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell have been replaced by Christie, Samisoni Taukei'aho and Pasilio Tosi.
ARGENTINA TRY
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A good scrum from Argentina is taken out by Garcia and passed to Albornoz, who bounces out of Jordie Barrett and Finlay Christie's tackle and dives under the posts.
Albornoz converts his own try from in front,
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The Pumas break the line after a smart pass from Albornoz finds Oviedo with nobody in front of him and charges within 15m of the line.
Matera bursts his way through into 10m before Will Jordan knocks the ball on in the tackle.
The Pumas have a scrum 19m out.
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The All Blacks are awarded a free kick off the scrum after Argentina engaged early. They send a kick down into Argentina's half before it is returned.
Ratima kicks for touch and finds the 40m line in the All Blacks' half.
First replacements
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Both Argentine props have been sent to the sideline for the first replacements of the match.
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The Pumas scrum 10m out is stable. They cough up the ball and it finds the hands of Reece who threatens to run before sending a pass into touch.
Argentina has another scrum in the All Blacks' 22.
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The lineout is contested by Vaa'i, who gets a hand on it, but it goes forward and Argentina are awarded a scrum.
The whistle is blown as Kirifi starts a bit of a push and shove with the Pumas.
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The sides trade kicks before the All Blacks are penalised on halfway for playing the ball on the ground.
The Pumas opt for touch, finding the line 10m out.
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It's taken down by Scott Barrett inside the 22 and Ratima sends it down into Argentina's half.
The Pumas run it back up to half way before a wayward pass sends them scrambling back towards the 22m.
A high ball hasn't been taken by Beauden Barrett and Argentina regather the ball around halfway.
SECOND HALF
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Albornoz kicks off the second half. Doesn't look like any replacements for either side.
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While you wait
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Feel free to get stuck into our All Blacks tight five quiz before the second half starts!
Savea and Jordan the standouts
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Savea has had a blinder of a first half, running for 46m and scoring a try.
Jordan has been strong as well, setting up Ratima's try after slicing through the Argentine line.
Sevu Reece has gone well on the right wing, crossing over for a brace of tries in the opening 40 minutes.
Meanwhile Ratima has grown in confidence as the game has gone on.
HALFTIME
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And that will be the last act of the first half. The All Blacks have stormed out of the gate to a 21-point lead, running in four tries.
Conversion
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Beauden Barrett converts from the right touchline to stay perfect off the tee.
ALL BLACKS TRY
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The halftime siren has gone but the All Blacks are awarded another penalty for an offside.
They opt for touch again and take it down 10m from the try line. The forwards power their way up to the 5m line.
It's passed out wide to Reece who catches it from around his boot laces and scrambles into the corner for his second.
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The throw from Montoya is stolen by the All Blacks. Beauden Barrett sends a kick down to Argentina before Mallia returns a bomb.
It's knocked on in the contest by Mallia and the All Blacks are awarded a scrum just outside their 22.
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Ioane takes the Argentine kickoff with two minutes left in the half.
It's sent into touch near the 10m line by Ratima again.
Conversion
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Barrett converts from the left of the posts.
ALL BLACKS TRY
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They opt for touch again. It's a better maul this time. Taken down by Scott Barrett and transferred to Ardie Savea, who crosses over at the back.
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Barrett finds touch in the left corner again. Savea takes it off the rolling maul before the All Blacks are awarded another penalty.
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It's again taken down by the All Blacks but Ratima is put under pressure and loses the ball.
Oviedo got a hand to it though so the All Blacks are awarded a scrum.
Ratima feeds it and Argentina are penalised for collapsing.
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Argentina are awarded a free kick off the scrum and take it quickly, charging up to the All Blacks' 22m line.
Pablo Matera is penalised though for taking out Savea illegally. Beauden Barrett sends the penalty kick down to the Pumas' 10m line.
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The All Blacks steal the lineout before spreading it out wide via a Will Jordan pass to Ioane, who cuts back in the field.
It's worked through the forwards before a late call from the sideline deems Jordan's pass to Ioane is forward. Scrum to Argentina 40m out.
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Argentina take down the kickoff and are awarded a penalty after Vaa'i is called offside.
They send it down into touch on the All Blacks' 40m line.
ARGENTINA PENALTY
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Argentina is awarded a scrum after Jordie Barrett failed to take down Delguy's bomb.
Ioane is penalised after the scrum for a dangerous tackle on Delguy.
Albornoz converts the penalty from 35m out.
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Barrett finds touch 35m from the try line. It's taken down by Holland but a poor pass in the midfield is pounced on by Chocobares.
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Up by 10 points now. The Pumas regather the kickoff before Tupou Vaa'i wins a penalty on the 40m line.
Conversion
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Beauden Barrett converts from in from of the sticks.
ALL BLACKS TRY
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Another lineout for the All Blacks on their own 40m line. Savea breaks a couple tackles up towards halfway.
It's spread to the backline and finds Will Jordan who breaks Chocobares' tackle and carves through the line before passing to Ratima who goes in under the posts.
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The All Blacks are awarded a penalty and go for touch again. It's spread through the backline again and grubbered through but Albornoz cleans up, evading All Blacks defenders inside the goaline and booting it down over halfway.
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A stable scrum from the Pumas as Albornoz boots it down towards halfway. the returning kick from the All Blacks is forced in goal for a goaline dropout.
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Barrett goes for touch. Lineout is taken down by the All Blacks and it's spread into the midfield.
Ioane is smashed by Pablo Matera and forces a knock on.
YELLOW CARD
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The All Blacks restart and it's gathered by Holland. Scott Barrett has a strong run into the 22. Pumas prop Mayco Vivas slaps the ball out of Ratima's hand and is shown a yellow card.
Conversion
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Albornoz converts from the sideline.
ARGENTINA TRY
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Isgro gets one back for the home side. It was sparked off a kick from Chocobares who kicked and regathered before the Argentine forwards pushed their way up the field.
Isgro goes over on the right wing.
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Argentina work their way down the field. They're just 5m from the All Blacks line and have a penalty advantage.
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Savea takes it off the back of the scrum to find some space before passing to Reece who puts through a kick.
Reece gives away a penalty for hands in the ruck, relieving Argentina of pressure.
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The All Blacks take down the ball again and find touch around halfway. Argentina give the ball away as the All Blacks pin them deep in their half.
A bomb and regather from Delguy gets them into All Blacks territory before they knock the ball on.
Conversion
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Beauden Barrett's sideline conversion strikes the left upright and goes over.
ALL BLACKS TRY
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The All Blacks' driving maul is taken down short of the line. Pick and go's from the forwards before the ball is spread to the backline.
A pass from Jordan finds Reece who runs down the sideline and scores the opener.
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Beauden Barrett kicks for touch, giving the All Blacks a lineout 5m out from their line.
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Albornoz's penalty from 40m out strikes the post as is take down by the All Blacks.
They send back a kick to about halfway and are awarded a penalty.
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Matera wins the lineout as the Pumas crash it up in the midfield. Sevu Reece is penalised for not rolling away after the tackle.
Argentina opt for the posts this time.
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Albornoz's kick-off is taken down as Ratima send back a box kick into touch. Argentina lineout about 35m out.
ALL BLACKS PENALTY
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Beaden Barrett opens the scoring, sending it straight through the middle.
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Ratima feeds the scrum. A nudge through from Jordie Barrett pins Argentina in their 22 before they're penalised for a late tackle on Barrett.
Beauden Barrett has opted for the post from 40m out.
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Argentina take the kickoff before a boxkick from Garcia is knocked on in the contest.
First scrum of the match goes to the All Blacks.
KICK-OFF
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And we're away in Cordoba.
Beauden Barrett kicks us off.
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Codie Taylor leads Kapa o Pango. One of the great hakas.
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Fans, management and players arm-in-arm for a stunning rendition of Argentina's national anthem. Now we're ready for the haka and then we're away.
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Argentine fans drown out the New Zealand anthem.
Pumas take the field
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Skipper Julian Montoya leads the Pumas onto the field as we get ready for the national anthems.
Stunning night in Argentina
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Conditions in Argentina are picture perfect as the sides make their way onto Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba.
Barrett leads the All Blacks onto the ground in front of over 60,000 fans.
Rugby Championship glory
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We're less than 20 minutes away from kickoff in Cordoba, so let's take a look at the All Blacks' history in the Rugby Championship.
Since the establishment of the Tri-Nations tournament in 1996, the All Blacks have taken out top spot 20 times.
In contrast, Australia have won four times and South Africa five - including last year's tournament.
Barrett reflects on All Blacks changes
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Veteran midfielder Jordie Barrett has reflected on last year's Rugby Championship campaign and how the All Blacks continue to grow under Scott Robertson.
“We want to go and win it this year. We didn’t enjoy where we finished last year," Barrett told Liam Napier this week.
Final-quarter performance
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The story of the All Blacks' 2024 Rugby Championship can be told in one data set – their ability to score and not concede points in the last 20 minutes of each test.
In this one facet, the All Blacks were the weakest of the four teams – scoring just seven points and conceding 50.
Gregor Paul breaks down how Robertson's team selection aims to improve final-quarter performance.
Holland starts fourth successive test
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Towering lock Fabian Holland has been named to start his fourth successive test alongside captain Scott Barrett.
After becoming the first Dutch-born All Black in July, Holland has fast become a staple of the 2025 squad - playing every minute of the French series in New Zealand.
He spoke to Liam Napier in the lead-up to his fourth appearance.
The final countdown
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We're just over an hour away from kickoff in Cordoba.
Are you a diehard All Blacks fan? Now is your chance to prove it by taking on the Tight Five quiz.
Top spot in sight
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After Australia's stunning defeat of the Springboks in Johannesburg this morning, the All Blacks have the opportunity to shoot back up to number one in the men's World Rugby rankings.
The All Blacks just need to draw against Argentina to return to the summit for the first time since November 2021.
On the other hand, the Pumas have never beaten the All Blacks in Argentina.
Ratima wins halfback race
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Cortez Ratima has won the race to the No 9 jersey after injuries have forced the absence of both Cam Roigard (foot) and Noah Hotham (ankle).
Meanwhile, Finlay Christie has held off competition from the uncapped Kyle Preston and will provide halfback cover off the bench. It will be the first time Christie has pulled on the black jersey since July 2024.
Listen to live commentary on Newstalk ZB
Match preview
Ratima wins race for No 9 jersey in All Blacks’ Rugby Championship opener
Scott Robertson is leaving nothing to chance for the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship opening test, and named his strongest possible match-day 23 for Sunday’s clash against Argentina in Cordoba.
For the first time in 2025, no debutants will take the field, despite the injury-enforced changes required after last month’s series against France.
As had been indicated by coach Robertson earlier this week, Scott Barrett has returned to full fitness from the calf injury that kept him out of the end of the All Blacks’ July series against France, and is partnered by the impressive Fabian Holland in the locking department.
Cortez Ratima has won the race to wear the No 9 jersey, and starts at halfback in the absence of both Cam Roigard (foot injury) and Noah Hotham (ankle) to partner Beauden Barrett, named at No 10, after his recovery from a broken hand.
Finlay Christie has held off competition from the uncapped Kyle Preston and provides halfback cover off the bench. Damian McKenzie has been named on the bench in the No 22 jersey and will cover both first five-eighths and fullback.
Christie could have been seen as the safer option to start at halfback, given his big game experience – which includes a World Cup quarter-final, semifinal and final. However, Robertson has opted to back Ratima, who has been a mainstay of his squad selections since his debut last year.
Despite the temptation of handing a debut to Chiefs and Northland loose forward Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i has kept hold of the No 6 jersey, and starts at blindside flanker alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi and Ardie Savea. Samipeni Finau will provide loose forward cover from the bench.
“We’ve had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform,” said Robertson.
“Scott and our leaders have led from the front and there’s a lot of focus and motivation in the group for the start of the campaign.
“We know the Pumas identity is a fast and physical game and we’ve selected a team that will embrace the occasion.
“It’s been 30 years since the All Blacks played in Cordoba and we are looking forward to the passion and energy of the home crowd.”
The All Blacks have never lost to Los Pumas in Argentina.
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.