Advertisement
Cruden is back at 10 for Steve Hansen's side. David Jones/PA Archive/Press Association Images
rugby championship

Cruden replaces Carter for the All Blacks

All the team news ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship action.

AARON CRUDEN AND Andrew Hore have been named in the All Blacks team to face Argentina in La Plata on Saturday night.

Outhalf Cruden has recovered from a knee injury picked up in the the first round victory over the Wallabies in Sydney and replaces Dan Carter in the number 10 shirt for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship.

The only other change to the All Blacks XV sees veteran hooker Andrew Hore start, with youngster Dane Coles rested.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made six changes to his team after their recent 14-13 loss in Australia. The most welcome of those is the return of lock Patricio Albacete, whose presence was greatly missed last time out.

Santiago Fernandez, Martin Landajo, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Marcelo Bosch and Eusebio Guinazu are the other new faces.

Veteran scrumhalf Fourie du Preez will make his first start for South Africa since the 2011 World Cup when he takes to the field against Australia on Saturday evening. Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar drops to the bench as a result.

Meanwhile, captain James Horwill is back for the Wallabies ahead of the Cape Town test, one of three personnel changes made by coach Ewan McKenzie.

Joe Tomane comes in on the left wing for the injured Nick Cummins, while Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani gets his first international start, replacing the suspended James O’Connor. His inclusion sees Adam Ashley-Cooper shift out to the right wing.

All Blacks (v Argentina): Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julien Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt.)

Replacements: Kevin Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Jeremy Thrush, Steven Luatua, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau.

Argentina (v All Blacks): Juan Martin Hernandez; Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Eusebio Guinazu, Juan Figallo; Julio Farias Cabello, Patricio Albacete, Juan Fernandez Lobbe (capt.), Pablo Matera, Juan Manuel Leguizamon.

Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Lobo, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Mariano Galarza, Benjamín Macome, Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla.

Australia (v South Africa): Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Quade Cooper, Nic White; James Slipper, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; Rob Simmons, James Horwill (capt.),  Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen.

Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Chris Feauai-Sautia.

South Africa (v Australia): Zane Kirchner; Willie le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt.), Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis; Eben Etzebeth, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Louw, Willem Alberts, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.

So, the Kearney brothers* have been busy coming up with a superhero XV

Time for Madigan to show O’Connor why he deserves the Leinster number 10 jersey