Beauden Barrett and Malakai Fekitoa are both named in the New Zealand starting line-up to take on Argentina this weekend. Barrett replaces Cruden, who has been left at home after missing a team flight earlier this week, while Fekitoa takes Ma’a Nonu’s place, the veteran centre out with a broken arm.
Nathan Harris is a shock inclusion on the bench, and is set to make his debut with veteran Kevin Mealamu starting. Dane Coles, who had expected to play this game, has had to return home to New Zealand to be with his wife at the birth of their first child.
“We’ve known that we were going to have to bring Nathan in for the next leg so we’re just going one game earlier,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen told reporters.
“It’s not too big of an adjustment at all really. We’ve been training for it; you expected the unexpected. Nathan and Keven have been doing everything. We’ve planned for it and it’s happened.
“I’m looking forward to it actually. It’s taken a long time to get him to this point. If he gets through the next two games I’m sure he’s going to be a great All Black because they will be the biggest tests he’ll ever have.”
Other changes see Jerome Kaino restored to the blindside in place of Steve Luatua, who drops out of the squad, and Sam Whitelock replace Jeremy Thrush, who is named on the bench.
New Zealand team to play Argentina
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Cory Jane.
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Estadio Único Ciudad de La Plata
Kick-off: 19:10 (local, 22:10 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter. 