All Blacks v Argentina: Scott Robertson names his second test squad to face the Pumas
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson names his squad for the Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Team namings done
Cameron McMillan
So there you have it. All 46 names you need to know for Sunday's clash. Kickoff is at 9.10am. Our blog will be up earlier so head over early and join the build-up. For live commentary you have two options - Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB and iHeartRadio; or you can go with the Alternative Commentary Collective which you can search on iHeartRadio. Enjoy your Friday.
Two changes for the Pumas
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Juan Martin Gonzalez in for Marcos Kremer at seven. Kremer moves to the bench.
Mateo Carreras in for Rodrigo Isgro on the left wing, with Bautista Delguy swapping to the right wing.
1.Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya (Captain), 3. Pedro Delgado, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 9. Gonzalo Garcia, 10. Tomás Albornoz, 11. Mateo Carreras, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 13. Lucio Cinti, 14. Bautista Delguy, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia.
Reserves: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Marcos Kremer, 21, Simon Benitez Cruz, 22. Santiago Carreras, 23. Justo Piccardo.
Pumas team is here
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Codie Taylor debut
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Taylor made his debut in 2015 against Argentina at AMI Stadium. The side that day. Taylor came off the bench to replace Mealamu in the 59th minute and scored a try 12 minutes later.
1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Kevin Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Brodie Retallick, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw, 8 Kieran Read, 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Dan Carter, 11 Charles Piutau, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 14 Waisake Naholo, 15 Israel Dagg.
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99 tests later
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Waiting for the Pumas
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We think they'll name their side at 8.30am, which they did last week. So we'll hang around until then.
Poll time
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Simon Parker - all you need to know
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Position: Loose forward
Born: May 6, 2000
Weight: 119kg
Height: 1.97m
Province: Northland
Super Rugby Pacific: Chiefs
Loose forward Parker is hard to miss at 197cm tall and 119kg and has been making a big impact on the field in recent seasons. A product of St Peter’s School in Cambridge, where he boarded with fellow All Black Cam Roigard, Parker was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools squad before being selected to the New Zealand Under 20 team in 2019.
A Chiefs representative since 2020, he has represented Waikato and most recently the Northland Taniwha in the Bunnings NPC and was a member of the All Blacks XV in 2024.
What Scott Robertson said when naming Parker in Rugby Championship squad: “Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with. He has the ability to play blindside or No. 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up.
“Just like his accuracy, he’s a big man that’s physical, but he’s really accurate and he’s intimidating.”
All Blacks side: Simon Parker will make his test debut
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Some cold hard Codie Taylor facts
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- He eill become the 14th All Black to play 100 tests.
- Follows in his great-great-grandfather Walter Pringle’s (All Black #30) sprig marks. Pringle was an All Black in 1893.
- Has scored more test tries than any other All Blacks hooker with 22, two more than Dane Coles.
- Has played against Argentine hooker Julio Montoya 16 times, the most of any international opponent during his career.
- Taylor and Montoya first locked horns 3 minutes into his test debut in 2015 in Christchurch, when Montoya came on as a substitute.
Scott Robertson says
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“All of the players who have come into the squad have worked really hard and earned their place at training and it’s great to have Tamaiti and Wallace back in the mix. Our bench will bring energy and impact to the battle.”
Raise your bat Codie Taylor
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And as expected, Codie Taylor to become the 14th All Black to play 100 tests.
“Codie is 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 and he will front this week in the same way he has for the past 99 Tests," Scott Robertson said.
“Equally, it’s a special day for Simon and his family. He’s earned his selection through performance and consistency. He’s a big, physical man, and he’s ready to make an impact.”
The team is here - Simon Parker to debut
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One change in the starting side with Simon Parker making his debut at No 8 with Savea moving back to seven. Tamaiti Williams (in for Ollie Norris) and Wallace Sititi (Samipeni Finau) return but from the bench. Other changes on the bench sees Josh Lord in for Patrick Tuipulotu and Quinn Tupaea for Anton Lienert-Brown.
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, (Captain) 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan.
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.
Five minutes away
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Alright no long to go now before the team drops. I don['t think we'll see as many changes as the 10 Rassie Erasmus made to the Springboks side. But who knows? We'll find out soon.
Tackle, tackle, tackle
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Here's a stat that was ahem, missed last week.The All Blacks missed 25 tackles in the opening win over Argentina, 10 more than their worst effort against France. No doubt tackling practice was a big work-on this week.
Minutes played in 2025
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Ardie Savea and Will Jordan are the only two All Blacks to have played every minute (320) of the 2025 season so far. Fabian Holland is close behind with 311.
Ethan de Groot (1) and Holland (5) are the only two to have started in the same jersey in the opening four tests. Will that change this week? We'll find out in less than 30 minutes.
Women's Rugby World Cup
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We have a World Cup starting this weekend. All kicks off tomorrow at 6.30am when hosts England play USA. The Black Ferns open their account against Spain on Monday 4.30am.
Black Ferns coverage
'A heck of a race': The 'wide open' role in Black Ferns World Cup bid
'Burst into tears': Army captain's journey to Black Ferns debut
Alice Soper: Farah Palmer Cup offers platform for rising rugby stars
Women's Rugby World Cup: All you need to know
All Blacks v Argentina – last time they met in Buenos Aires
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All Blacks 20 Argentina 16, 2019
The All Blacks survived their first test of the year with a victory which could easily have been a defeat and perhaps should have been.
At the end they were clinging on at Estadio Jose Amalfitani and greeted referee Angus Gardner’s final whistle with huge relief after escaping two attacking lineouts in the final seconds. The Pumas were left to rue their missed opportunity for, at the time, they had never beaten the All Blacks.
The lack of quality and experience in an All Blacks side missing Crusaders players, showed in the second half as the visitors were held scoreless.
Luke Jacobson, Atu Moli, and Braydon Ennor all made their test debuts.
All Blacks 20 (Ngani Laumape, Brodie Retallick tries; Beauden Barrett 2 cons, 2 pens)
Argentina 16 (Emiliano Boffelli try; Nicolas Sanchez 2 pens, con, Boffelli pen)
Halftime: 20-9
Return of Sititi and Williams?
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Scott Robertson said before the side left for Argentina that Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams would be fit for the second test. Does that mean they are automatic selections? Maybe for the bench at least.
Sititi hasn't played a test since the last game of the 2024 season after he received meniscus surgery on his right knee in January. He then needed ankle surgery last month which ruled him out of the French series.
Williams also had surgery, on his knee, following the Super Rugby season and has missed the opening four tests of the year.
We could see straight replacements of Tamaiti Williams for Ethan de Groot and Wallace Sititi in for Du’Plessis Kirifi with Ardie Savea moving from No 8 to openside. Or Razor could inject them from the bench.
Herald Hat-trick
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While you wait for the squad, take on the Herald Hat-trick quiz. There's a tricky rugby one in there.
Vale Keith Nelson
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A bit wet
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The All Blacks had some decent rain to contend with during their last training session. Looks like more rain expected Friday local time but sunshine for game day.
All Blacks v Argentina referee
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Aussie Nic Berry is the referee for the second Rugby Championship test in Buenos Aires.
The All Blacks have a 6-1-1 record under Berry, the one defeat being to Australia during the 2020 Tri Nations. He was last in charge for the season opener against France in Dunedin. Berry has been the referee for three clashes between New Zealand and Argentina, all heavy wins for the All Blacks (53-3, 39-0, 38-0).
Scott Robertson’s balancing act with Rieko Ioane and Billy Proctor
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Gregor Paul writes: "Ioane didn’t have a centre’s instincts about when to pass and when to run. But whenever he was shifted to the wing in the latter part of most games, he still had a wing’s instincts and looked more comfortable at the end of the backline using his pace and power to finish things off than he did in the middle of it, trying to create something."
He goes on: "Ioane, ironically perhaps, spent 2024 looking like a wing playing centre, and has now begun 2025 looking like a centre playing on the wing."
Poll time: What to do with Rieko
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100 matches for the All Blacks
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Of those that played 100 matches but not 100 tests, it's also an impressive list of All Blacks greats.
Colin Meads played 133 matches (55 tests) along with Andy Haden 117 matches (41 tests), Ian Kirkpatrick 113 (41), Bryan Williams 113 (39), Ian Jones 105 (79) , Bruce Robertson 102 (34), Gary Whetton 101 (58) and Zinzan Brooke 100 (58).
Ardie Savea is also on that list for now, having playing 98 tests and two matches - against the France XV and the Barbarians in 2017.
All Blacks to play 100 tests
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The list currently stands at 13. Codie Taylor would be no 14, while Ardie Savea could reach 100 the next test match against the Springboks at Eden Park.
100-test capped All Blacks
Richie McCaw, Mils Muliana, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane.
Codie Taylor to play his 100th?
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What we do suspect is that Codie Taylor will be in the side, unless he suffered a late training injury, and will earn his 100th test cap. He may have had the option to step aside and earn his 100th at Eden Park in front of friends and family but not many rugby players turn down the chance to play for the All Blacks. In an interview with Liam Napier, which you can read here, he revealed his wife Lucy will be in the stands. So we can assume he's playing.
Morning
Cameron McMillan
Ata mārie and welcome to the latest team news from the All Blacks camp in Argentina. I'm Cameron McMillan in the NZME Auckland office and with the help of Christoper Reive and rugby reporter Liam Napier, who is in Buenos Aires, we'll bring you all the squad news for the second Rugby Championship test.
The squad drops at 7.30am
Scott Robertson has made five changes to the squad from the opening Rugby Championship win over the Pumas.
There is one change to the starting side with Simon Parker making his debut at No 8 with Ardie Savea moving back to seven.
Tamaiti Williams (in for Ollie Norris) and Wallace Sititi (Samipeni Finau) return from injury but from the bench. Other changes on the bench sees Josh Lord in for Patrick Tuipulotu and Quinn Tupaea for Anton Lienert-Brown.
All Blacks v Argentina history
Played – 40
All Blacks won – 36
Argentina won – 3
Draws – 1
All Blacks points scored – 1547
Argentina points scored – 578
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
2025 – All Blacks 41 Argentina 24, Cordoba
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. Ardie Savea, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan.
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.
Argentina side:
1.Mayco Vivas, 2. Julian Montoya (Captain), 3. Pedro Delgado, 4. Franco Molina, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8. Joaquin Oviedo, 9. Gonzalo Garcia, 10. Tomás Albornoz, 11. Mateo Carreras, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 13. Lucio Cinti, 14. Bautista Delguy, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia.
Reserves: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Marcos Kremer, 21, Simon Benitez Cruz, 22. Santiago Carreras, 23. Justo Piccardo.
Form guide (past five tests)
All Blacks: W, W, W, W, W
Argentina: L, W, L, L, W
All Blacks v Argentina – last time they met in Buenos Aires
All Blacks 20 Argentina 16, 2019
The All Blacks survived their first test of the year with a victory which could easily have been a defeat and perhaps should have been.
At the end they were clinging on at Estadio Jose Amalfitani and greeted referee Angus Gardner’s final whistle with huge relief after escaping two attacking lineouts in the final seconds. The Pumas were left to rue their missed opportunity for, at the time, they had never beaten the All Blacks.
The lack of quality and experience in an All Blacks side missing Crusaders players, showed in the second half as the visitors were held scoreless.
Luke Jacobson, Atu Moli, and Braydon Ennor all made their test debuts.
All Blacks 20 (Ngani Laumape, Brodie Retallick tries; Beauden Barrett 2 cons, 2 pens)
Argentina 16 (Emiliano Boffelli try; Nicolas Sanchez 2 pens, con, Boffelli pen)
Halftime: 20-9
All Blacks v Argentina referee
Aussie Nic Berry is the referee for the second Rugby Championship test between Argentina and New Zealand. The All Blacks have a 6-1-1 record under Berry, the one defeat being to Australia during the 2020 Tri Nations. He was last in charge for the season-opener against France in Dunedin. Berry has been the referee for three clashes between New Zealand and Argentina, all heavy wins for the All Blacks (53-3, 39-0, 38-0).
All Blacks v Argentina TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.25 Draw: $26 Argentina: $3.80
All Blacks Rugby Championship schedule
August 16, 9.10am – All Blacks 41 Argentina 24, 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.