After about a month off, the All Blacks now return to our screens as they open up their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at the famous Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes. To me, this will be a great barometer to understand how the All Blacks might line up when South Africa come to town in a few weeks’ time, as Argentina play a very similar style to the Boks. However, this will be no easy feat for the All Blacks, and I expect a full-strength team to be selected. So with that said, let’s dive into my predicted squad for the first test of the Rugby Championship.
Loose Head: Ethan de Groot
With first-choice loosehead Tamaiti Williams reportedly likely to be out, I think the coaches will lean on the experience of Ethan de Groot to start this game. After an up-and-down year in 2024, he’s had a bit of a resurgence from a set-piece point of view and provided the All Blacks with a solid platform to launch from in the French series.
Hooker: Codie Taylor
After two cameos off the bench, I think Taukei’aho has done enough to warrant a start in the final game of the series. He should be able to continue using the likes of Holland and Tuipulotu to dominate the lineout, just as Codie Taylor has done throughout.
Tight Head: Fletcher Newell
Like de Groot, Newell has been a solid contributor in place of Tyrel Lomax, who has been slightly injury-plagued this season. For Newell, his best attribute this international year has been his scrummaging, which will be especially important against a big Argentine pack.
Lock: Fabian Holland
The biggest revelation of the All Blacks’ season so far has been the rise of Fabian Holland in his first few test matches. He has been crucial to the efficiency of the lineout and a force on defence, but the most exciting part of his game has been his ability with ball in hand.
Lock: Scott Barrett (c)
With Barrett back in the fold after his calf injury, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet as the captain of the squad. While I’m not certain he’s one of the two best locks in the country, there’s no doubt he will be selected.
Blindside Flanker: Tupou Vaa’i
With Barrett needing to be selected, the All Blacks have to make room for Vaa’i. After being cleared of the concussion he was dealing with, I would expect him to find his place on the side of the scrum and bring his physicality to the loose forward trio.
Openside Flanker: Du’Plessis Kirifi
I think with some of the injuries, it might open the door for Kirifi to get a second start at test level on the openside. With no Jacobson and Peter Lakai yet to play any test rugby this season, I would think that in a big game, Kirifi will get the nod due to his match sharpness.
Number Eight: Ardie Savea
With Wallace Sititi out, I would expect the All Blacks coaches to lean on the experience that Savea boasts at the base of the scrum at the international level. I did have a thought about whether they might give Simon Parker a go this weekend, but I figured it might be too early to throw him into the fire.
Halfback: Cortez Ratima
The All Blacks’ halfback ranks have been decimated by injuries, with Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham ruled out for this weekend. For me, this opens the door for what I see as New Zealand’s third-choice halfback, Cortez Ratima, to start and likely play 70-plus minutes.
First Five: Beauden Barrett
No doubt in my mind, the oldest Barrett brother is the best option for the All Blacks when it comes to marching the team around the park. He is by far the best game manager in the country and, in my opinion, will be leaned on heavily in all the big test matches this season.
Left Wing: Reiko Ioane
I think this coaching staff really like Ioane on the wing, and he seemed to grow into the role more as the French series went on. He’s decent in the air and provides electric pace on the wing that not many in the squad can match, which is why I think he will get the No. 11 jersey this weekend.
Second Five: Jordie Barrett
Another no-brainer for me is Jordie Barrett playing second five for the All Blacks whenever he’s fit. I couldn’t believe some people thought he needed to prove himself again at international level, but this guy is the hub of the All Blacks attack and showed that when he came off the bench in the third test.
Centre: Billy Proctor
I think it would be pretty brutal if the All Blacks didn’t give Billy Proctor another chance in the No. 13 jersey for a big game. As I’ve said throughout the season, he has been the most consistent centre in New Zealand over the last 18 months and is the ideal complement to Barrett.
Right Wing: Sevu Reece
Reece looked good when he was given the chance to play after recovering from his concussion in the first test. For me, I think he’s this coaching contingent’s favourite winger and will no doubt be on one of the wings this weekend.
Fullback: Will Jordan
No other way to describe Will Jordan other than world class. Whenever he’s healthy, he will be a starter, usually at fullback and sometimes on the wing. For this weekend, he will wear the No. 15 jersey unless he picks up an injury towards the end of the practice week.
The Bench
16: Samisoni Taukei’aho
17: Ollie Norris
18: Pasilio Tosi
19: Simon Parker
20: Peter Lakai
21: Kyle Preston
22: Damian McKenzie
23: Timoci Tavatavanawai