Rugby Championship: Ardie Savea returns to captain All Blacks in second test against Argentina

Damian McKenzie will wear the No.10 jersey for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship test against Argentina on Saturday night in Brisbane.

The versatile playmaker logged 35 minutes at first-five in the 39-0 win over the Pumas on the Gold Coast last week, coming on as a second-half substitute for Beauden Barrett.

Barrett left the field complaining of a tight calf, so the decision to pick McKenzie ahead of the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year may be precautionary, with two tests to come against the world champion Springboks.

TJ Perenara starts at halfback, with Blues No.9 Finlay Christie earning a spot on the bench.

Quinn Tupaea gets his second All Blacks start in the midfield, partnering Rieko Ioane, who had a standout test a week ago as a late replacement for Anton Lienert-Brown.

Jordie Barrett continues his run at fullback, with Will Jordan and George Bridge completing the back trio.

Up front, Joe Moody makes his first All Blacks start in 10 months, after coming off the bench last week, while Tyrel Lomax's impressive short stint against the Pumas has earned him a start in the No.3 jersey. 

Patrick Tuipulotu returns from a groin injury to lock the scrum alongside Tupou Vaa'i, with Scott Barrett providing cover off the bench, meaning a week off for Brodie Retallick.

Hoskins Sotutu and Ethan Blackadder will make their second test match starts at No.8 and blindside flanker respectively, with the outstanding Luke Jacobson on the bench

After suffering a head knock against the Wallabies in Perth, Ardie Savea will return from a week off to captain the side.

"With five tests in a row and a six-day turnaround between these two Argentinian tests, we were always going to make some selection changes," notes coach Ian Foster.

"Five tests in a row demanded that, but the good thing is we have a group that has been focusing on the same opposition for the last two weeks, so our preparation time hasn't been compromised.

"We are expecting a huge response from Argentina and we have to make sure we are prepared for that, because we know what a wounded beast is like. 

"The key is not so much how they respond, but how we respond. If we go into this test match thinking it’s just going to happen for us like last week, without earning the right to have the scoreboard in our favour, then we are in trouble."

Codie Taylor returns to take his place on the bench, now fully fit after suffering concusion during the Perth test, while Crusaders flyer Braydon Ennor will make an international return, providing backs cover.

All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Ethan Blackadder, 7-Ardie Savea (c), 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-George Bridge, 12-Quinn Tupaea, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Jordie Barrett

Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-George Bower, 18-Ofa Tuungafasi, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Braydon Ennor

Join us at 10pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blcks v Argentina Rugby Championship clash

Contact Newshub with your story tips:
news@newshub.co.nz