Following the announcement of the All Blacks squad to face Argentina, here’s a look at who’s riding high and who’s facing a setback. The coaching staff has opted for experience as they gear up for the Rugby Championship opener, welcoming back several key players to the starting line-up.
Winners
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Fabian Holland: Despite nine changes from the team that triumphed over France in their third Test, Fabian Holland remains a constant in the All Blacks’ starting XV this year. Born in the Netherlands, Holland qualified for New Zealand through residency and realised his dream of playing for the All Blacks against France earlier this year. The 22-year-old lock has impressed with his performances and has earned his opportunity to make his Rugby Championship debut against a passionate Argentinian side. He held his own against a strong French pack, but he’ll know he faces a different challenge this weekend.
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Tupou Vaa’i: After taking some time to establish himself, 2024 has been a breakthrough year for Tupou Vaa’i. He excelled alongside Scott Barrett, who returns from injury to captain the team. While his shift to blindside flanker in the 2023 Rugby World Cup opener against France didn’t pay off, the coaching staff is giving it another go, and this time, they’re reaping the rewards against a formidable French forward pack. With a similar challenge awaiting them in Argentina, Vaa’i’s selection on the flank is aimed at combating the sheer size and lineout prowess of the Argentinian pack. Vaa’i has proven his ability to play on the side of the scrum at the highest level this year, and he’ll need to do so again, given the All Blacks’ depth in the back row.
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Billy Proctor: After earning only one Test cap last year following his debut against Fiji, Billy Proctor is making up for lost time. Despite some flaws against France, he showcased his qualities and has retained his place, keeping Rieko Ioane on the wing. His partnership with Jordie Barrett will be further tested on foreign soil. Proctor possesses the skills to become a regular in the All Blacks’ starting XV and will face a stern test against the talented Argentinian centres.
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Finlay Christie: Injuries can create opportunities, and for Finlay Christie, this may be his last chance in the All Blacks jersey, with a potential move to Newcastle in the Premiership rumoured. After underwhelming performances last July, he fell out of favour, especially with the rise of Cortez Ratima and the return of Cameron Roigard. With Roigard sidelined along with Noah Hotham, Christie was in a race with Kyle Preston for a spot in the matchday 23 and has won. This match could be a chance for him to reclaim his position and convince him to stay and fight for his place.
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Beauden Barrett: With Richie Mo’unga set to return to New Zealand ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Beauden Barrett has the chance to assert himself in the starting fly-half role. Barrett has consistently proven his world-class abilities, but there’s a constant battle between him and Damian McKenzie for the number 10 jersey. Barrett was outstanding in July and has the opportunity to continue that form against Argentina, knowing that McKenzie is ready to step in.
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Du’Plessis Kirifi: After a try-scoring first start in the All Blacks jersey, Du’Plessis Kirifi has convinced the coaching staff to keep him in the number seven jersey for the Argentina match. Despite consistently strong Super Rugby form, Kirifi has been previously overlooked. Now, he’s finally getting his chance at the highest level. The coaches could have opted for a bigger player, such as Simon Parker, but Kirifi has clearly made an impact on the pitch and with the coaching team.
Losers
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Kyle Preston: As mentioned, the replacement scrum-half role was effectively a contest between Christie and Kyle Preston. Despite accusations of favouritism towards Crusaders players, the coaching staff has favoured the Blues player over the Crusaders star. Considering the rumours surrounding Christie’s future in New Zealand, selecting Preston would seem a logical choice.
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Simon Parker: Parker, the other uncapped player in the squad, has missed out on selection for the Rugby Championship opener. While his call-up was somewhat surprising, the reasoning was sound. With an imposing presence in the loose trio, Parker can play blindside flanker and number eight, potentially allowing Ardie Savea to remain on the side of the scrum. However, the coaching staff believes he needs more time in training, and he also fails to make the bench.
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Peter Lakai: After rising to prominence this year, Peter Lakai missed the July internationals due to injury and played in the NPC last week. He could have easily slotted back into the mix, especially on the bench, but the coaching team has chosen Samipeni Finau, a lock/blindside hybrid.
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Injured Duo: While the All Blacks have been boosted by the return of Beauden and Scott Barrett, they are still without Tamaiti Williams (knee) and Wallace Sititi (ankle). The duo were outstanding and are world-class players.
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Snubbed Centres: While the continued partnership of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor is understandable, the omissions of Quinn Tupaea and Timoci Tavatavanawai are more puzzling. Anton Lienert-Brown, a veteran with many Test caps, is a proven player in both midfield positions, but his form has been inconsistent lately. While Argentina have achieved great results against New Zealand recently, the All Blacks are still considered favourites. However, this selection suggests some nervousness from the coaching staff. Unleashing a player such as Tavatavanawai in the later stages of the match would be a valuable asset for the All Blacks, while selecting Tupaea would provide cover for both midfield positions. Selecting Lienert-Brown is a conservative decision and suggests he is an insurance policy for Proctor.