All Blacks v Argentina: Scott Robertson names All Blacks squad for Rugby Championship opener
Scott Robertson has named his All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship test against Argentina.
See you Sunday
Cameron McMillan
Remember, kickoff is 9.10am on Sunday. Newstalk ZB's Elliott Smith with have the call, while you can follow live updates right here.
Fabian Holland seeks to inspire in fourth straight start
Cameron McMillan
Fabian Holland has a message to share with rugby’s aspiring youth in the Netherlands as he fast becomes a staple of the starting All Blacks team.
Starting again
Cameron McMillan
Ethan de Groot, Ardie Savea, Fabian Holland and Will Jordan are the four All Blacks who started all three French test and will start the test on Sunday. The latter three have played all 240 minutes in 2025.
Closer look at All Blacks side
Cameron McMillan
- Damian McKenzie will play his 20th test in succession for the All Blacks, the longest run of match day squad selections in the current squad.
- Ardie Savea will play his 98th Test match and 100th game for the All Blacks.
-Beauden Barrett has faced the Pumas 21 times, the most of any All Black.
Will Jordan has scored seven tries in seven Tests against Argentina.
Ratima wins race for No 9 jersey as All Blacks name strongest side for Pumas
Cameron McMillan
Razor: Great week of training
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“We’ve had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform. 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," Scott Robertson said.
“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 Córdoba and we are looking forward to the passion and energy of the home crowd.”
All Blacks team is out
Cameron McMillan
So Cortez Ratima gets the start at halfback with Beauden Barrett returning at No 10. Captain Scott Barrett is also back along with Codie Taylor, who returns at hooker for test number 99.
No new faces for the first time in 2025. Finlay Christie is back. He last played a test against England last July.
Argentina get in first
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Not far away
Cameron McMillan
Don't go anywhere. We're expecting the team any minute.
10 minutes away
Cameron McMillan
Not long before the team drops.
Debutant watch
Cameron McMillan
There are four new faces in the Rugby Championship squad Simon Parker (loose forward), Tevita Mafileo (prop), Kyle Preston (halfback) and Leroy Carter (utility back). WIll we see any of the quartet in the match-day squad?
After appearing in Northland’s 22-17 victory over Southland last weekend, Parker arrived in Argentina unscathed, along with the rest of the All Blacks’ NPC contingent.
“The boys off the plane, who’ve played NPC, Simon Parker, Peter Lakai and Josh Lord made it pretty well,” said Scott Robertson earlier this week.
“They trained with us today and were great. [Parker] is good, he’s a Taniwha, he’s ready to roll."
Meet the Kiwi helping the Pumas plot the All Blacks’ downfall
Cameron McMillan
Los Pumas are harnessing influence from another Kiwi coach as they seek to ignite their Rugby Championship campaign by again stunning Scott Robertson’s All Blacks, this time with a first success on home soil.
Former Southland, Bay of Plenty and Highlanders backline utility Kendrick Lynn joined the Pumas mid-last year, giving him a front row seat as the Pumas upset the All Blacks in Wellington.
He talked to Liam Napier ahead of Sunday's test.
Who is Mario Alberto Kempes?
Cameron McMillan
The All Blacks and Argentina will square off at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba, which is named after the football great.
Kempes scored twice in the 1978 World Cup final against Netherlands and claimed the Golden Boot as top scorer.
The returning players
Cameron McMillan
As Scott Robertson revealed earlier in the week, Scott Barrett and Beauden Barrett are fit and ready for the first test so expect them in the squad. Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams will miss the tour opener at the very least.
All Blacks v Argentina referee
Cameron McMillan
Frenchman Pierre Brousset is in charge of the test on Sunday. His only previous All Blacks match was last year’s 29-11 win over Italy in Turin. The only time he’s been in charge of an Argentina test was the 67-27 home win over Australia last September. He most recently was referee for the British and Irish Lions win over the Brumbies.
The question at nine
Cameron McMillan
The All Blacks are down are a few halfbacks with Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham on the injured list. Cortez Ratima is the likely contender to start this weekend but Finlay Christie has more experience, and played in the Rugby World Cup final.
Quiz time
Cameron McMillan
Take on the Herald Hat-Trick quiz. It's Pumas theme today.
Golf and basketball updates
Cameron McMillan
Good news and bad news.
The Tall Blacks have come back from more than 20 points down to beat Lebanon 90-86 and make the Asia Cup semifinals, where they will face China.
On the PGA Tour, Ryan Fox has not started well at the BMW Championship carding a four-over 74 to sit tied-44th in the 49-man field.
South Africa and Australia teams out
Cameron McMillan
Both the Springboks and Wallabies have named their squads for their clash at Ellis Park on Sunday NZT. Rassie Erasmus named his team earlier in the week, something he's not afraid to do, with captain Siya Kolisi being moved to No 8.
Meanwhile, the big talking point for the Wallabies is James O'Connor starting at 10. He last played a test in 2022, and first played the Boks in 2009.
The Wallabies have a 9-10 duo with a combined age of 69.
Springboks squad:
1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw , 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Siya Kolisi (capt), 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 15 Aphelele Fassi
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse.
Wallabies squad:
1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Will Skelton, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Nic White, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Dylan Pietsch, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright.
Replacements:
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Langi Gleeson, 21. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22. Tate McDermott, 23. Andrew Kellaway
All Blacks v Argentina - Last time they met
Cameron McMillan
All Blacks 42 Argentina 10, Eden Park, 2024
Rebounding in ruthless fashion from the first shock loss of Scott Robertson’s tenure, the All Blacks delivered a clinical, backs-to-the-wall response at Eden Park to square the 2024 ledger with the Pumas.
In challenging conditions, after heavy rain throughout the day, the All Blacks scored five first-half tries to put the result to bed by halftime.
From an individual standpoint Will Jordan, in his first test start since shoulder surgery, delivered an immediate reminder of his class by proving a constant threat. Ardie Savea with his carrying, Tupou Vaa’i, in Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu’s absence, impressed and Tamaiti Williams, other than one scrum penalty, nailed his starting elevation.
Beauden Barrett slotted into first five-eighths for the final half-an-hour to reignite the debate about whether he or McKenzie should start there. Inside him, Cortez Ratima once again injected speed from the base.
All Blacks v Argentina, Rugby Championship opener, 9.15am, Sunday, Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Cordoba
Scott Robertson’s side begin their Rugby Championship campaign with two tests in Argentina, the first of which in Cordoba, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas. The Pumas handed Robertson his first defeat last season, just their third win over the All Blacks.
All Blacks v Argentina history
Played - 39
All Blacks won - 35
Argentina won - 3
Draws - 1
All Blacks points scored - 1506
Argentina points scored - 554
All Blacks’ record in Argentina
1985 - All Blacks 33 Argentina 20, Buenos Aires
1985 - All Blacks 21 Argentina 21, Buenos Aires
1991 - All Blacks 28 Argentina 14, Buenos Aires
1991 - All Blacks 36 Argentina 6, Buenos Aires
2001 - All Blacks 24 Argentina 20, Buenos Aires
2006 - All Blacks 25 Argentina 19, Buenos Aires
2012 - All Blacks 54 Argentina 15, La Plata
2013 - All Blacks 33 Argentina 15, La Plata
2014 - All Blacks 34 Argentina 13, La Plata
2016 - All Blacks 36 Argentina 17, Buenos Aires
2017 - All Blacks 36 Argentina 10, Buenos Aires
2018 - All Blacks 35 Argentina 17, Buenos Aires
2019 - All Blacks 20 Argentina 16, Buenos Aires
2023 - All Blacks 41 Argentina 12, Mendoza
All Blacks v Argentina line-ups
All Blacks side:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 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. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie.
Argentina side:
1.Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya (Captain), 3. Pedro Delgado, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 9. Gonzalo Garcia, 10. Tomás Albornoz, 11. Bautista Delguy, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 13. Lucio Cinti, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia.
Reserves: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21, Simon Benitez Cruz, 22. Santiago Carreras, 23. Justo Piccardo.
Form guide (past five tests)
All Blacks: W, W, W, W, L
Argentina: W, L, L, W, L
All Blacks v Argentina - last time they met
All Blacks 42 Argentina 10, Eden Park
Rebounding in ruthless fashion from the first shock loss of Scott Robertson’s tenure, the All Blacks delivered a clinical, backs-to-the-wall response at Eden Park to square this year’s ledger with the Pumas.
In challenging conditions, after heavy rain throughout the day, the All Blacks scored five first-half tries to put the result to bed by halftime.
From an individual standpoint Will Jordan, in his first test start since shoulder surgery, delivered an immediate reminder of his class by proving a constant threat. Ardie Savea with his carrying, Tupou Vaa’i, in Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu’s absence, impressed and Tamaiti Williams, other than one scrum penalty, nailed his starting elevation.
Beauden Barrett slotted into first five-eighths for the final half-an-hour to reignite the debate about whether he or McKenzie should start there. Inside him, Cortez Ratima once again injected speed from the base.
All Blacks v Argentina referee
Frenchman Pierre Brousset is in charge of the test. His only previous All Blacks match was last year’s 29-11 win over Italy in Turin. The only time he’s been in charge of an Argentina test was the 67-27 home win over Australia last September. He most recently was referee for the British and Irish Lions win over the Brumbies.
All Blacks v Argentina TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.30 Draw: $21 Argentina: $3.40
All Blacks Rugby Championship schedule
August 16, 9.10am - All Blacks v Argentina, Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Cordoba
August 23, 9.10am - All Blacks v Argentina, Velez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires
Saturday, September 6, 7.05pm – All Blacks v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, September 13, 7.05pm – All Blacks v South Africa, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Saturday, September 27, 5.05pm – All Blacks v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, October 4, 10.45pm – All Blacks v Australia, Perth
All Blacks v Argentina - how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v Argentina, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
Plus the Alternative Commentary Collective will be providing commentary on their iHeartRadio stream.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.