PROLIFIC TRY-SCORER Will Jordan has been selected on the bench for New Zealand’s Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Wellington, while TJ Perenara starts at scrum-half on his return from injury.
Jordan, who can play wing or fullback, has scored 31 tries in as many Tests for the All Blacks, but a shoulder injury has kept the 26-year-old out of Test rugby since last year’s World Cup final.
Perenara returns for Saturday’s clash with the Pumas after recovering from the knee injury sustained against England in the first Test last month.
Loose forward Ardie Savea, who was born in Wellington, captains the All Blacks as regular skipper Scott Barrett is out with a finger injury.
“It’s a special night for Ardie leading the team in his home town and it’s great to have TJ and Will back in the mix,” said New Zealand coach Scott Robertson.
“We know Argentina will bring a lot of physicality and passion to the Test and we’re ready for that challenge.”
Anton Lienert-Brown comes into the centres at the expense of Rieko Ioane, who drops to the bench.
Sam Darry of Auckland Blues will partner Waikato Chiefs forward Tupou Vaa’i in a new-look second row in the absence of Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu, who has a calf injury.
The All Blacks have plenty of options in attack with twice world player of the year Beauden Barrett starting at fullback and Damian McKenzie at out-half.
Robertson was on the sidelines to watch Jordan grab a try for his province last Saturday in Christchurch, where the All Blacks speedster had a 60-minute run out to prove his fitness.
“He scored a trademark try and his anticipation was good. He’s in good nick, he’s fit, he’s ready to go,” Robertson said of Jordan.
“Beauden’s been exceptional, so having Jordan off the bench to make an impact will be special.”
New Zealand have a miserable recent record in Wellington, where the All Blacks are winless in their last four Tests in the capital.
They lost and drew against South Africa in 2018 and 2019, followed by a draw with Australia in 2020 and a defeat to Ireland in 2022.
“It’s a cold reality that we don’t perform well in Wellington,” Savea admitted.
“For us, we don’t talk about that. We just talk about each day’s preparation and hopefully get the win on Saturday.”
The hosts are eager to avoid a repeat of their 2022 shock home defeat to Argentina when ill discipline cost them as Pumas goal-kicker Emiliano Boffelli landed six penalties in a 25-18 victory.
New Zealand:
- 15. Beauden Barrett
- 14. Sevu Reece
- 13. Anton Lienert-Brown
- 12. Jordie Barrett
- 11. Mark Tele’a
- 10. Damian McKenzie
- 9. TJ Perenara
- 1. Ethan De Groot
- 2. Codie Taylor
- 3. Tyrel Lomax
- 4. Tupou Vaa’i
- 5. Sam Darry
- 6. Ethan Blackadder
- 7. Dalton Papali’i
- 8. Ardie Savea (capt)
Replacements:
- 16. Asafo Aumua
- 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- 18. Fletcher Newell
- 19. Josh Lord
- 20. Wallace Sititi
- 21. Cortez Ratima
- 22. Rieko Ioane
- 23. Will Jordan
Argentina:
- 15. Juan Mallia
- 14. Matias Moroni
- 13. Lucio Cinti
- 12. Santiago Chocobares
- 11. Mateo Carreras
- 10. Santiago Carreras
- 9. Gonzalo Bertranou
- 1. Thomas Gallo
- 2. Ignacio Ruiz
- 3. Eduardo Bello
- 4. Franco Molina
- 5. Pedro Rubiolo
- 6. Pablo Matera (capt)
- 7. Marcos Kremer
- 8. Juan Martin Gonzalez
Replacements:
- 16. Agustin Creevy
- 17. Mayco Vivas
- 18. Joel Sclavi
- 19. Efrain Elias
- 20. Tomas Lavanini
- 21. Joaquin Oviedo
- 22. Lautaro Bazan Velez
- 23. Tomas Albornoz
The cannot senior football championship?
All the sky sports presenters need Father Ted style elocution lessons for their GAA coverage!
That or the Savage Eye Garda elocution to get the whesht buff out of Jim White! WAN MAYO GET STHUCK IN!
Some folk pronounce it Laytrim in Leitrim itself so we’ll give him a pass there
How the hell is he mispronouncing Connaught. It’s not like he’s never heard it before Connacht rugby team have been playing pro 12 rugby for about 15 years now. Might be a slight difference in spelling but not too hard to pick up
They probably have the English spelling with the gh. Easier to read and pronounce right with the Irish spelling of connacht.
They always mispronunce it when covering the rugby too. Expect Key-yos and Dokerteas all summer long. I don’t understand why somebody doesn’t point it out to them, Irish people work for sky after all.
In Wexford Kehoe and Keogh are both pronounced Key-Hoe. Bit like Cock-lan vs. Caw-lan for Coughlan. You’re right on the Murrans & Dokerties. It’s going to be a long summer.
They pronounce the rugby as Connaught aswell well you can take the Brit out of Ireland but ya can’t take the bast*rdisation out of the Brit!
Could they not just throw the gaa coverage over to Rachel.She be much better and she looks good in low cut tops (.)(.)
I’m starring at your comment for 15 minutes
Jim wouldn’t be the biggest fan of Gaelic games considering where his soccer loyalties lie
Look forward to hearing him pronounce ‘Emmet O’Conghaile’ when he comes on as a sub for the Dubs this summer!
Ha! That’ll be hilarious!
Considering the (Irish) announcer at the U21 All Ireland Semi Final couldn’t pronounce it (not for want of trying) and gave up and called him ‘Emmet O’Connolly’ I’d say Jim White doesn’t have a hope of getting it right.
It’s disgraceful that they couldn’t bother their holes to learn how to pronounce names and provinces. If British viewers aren’t being told the correct names then how on earth do the GAA expect to increase their following.
The GAA’s pockets are filled now they couldn’t care less about what happens after!
I completely agree,Hung Ex Eye.
Surely Jim heard of the Connaught rugby team which appears on their rugby news regularly ???
As for my beloved Mayo I cannot wait for the ‘Connot’ semi final !!!
Sky need to watch some D’unbelievables
Converted goals???? Think there getting some sports mixed up
Converted a penalty he said
Ya don’t get a conversion on goal every time you score a point , he must think ha ha
Surely he’s heard of CILLIAN Murphy? Hollywood actor an all?
Bet they say three instead of tree too. So ignorant…
There was more coverage of that game on SSN than there was on both RTE and BBCNI….as much as I’m no fan of Mr.White, wasn’t it great to see the game getting that coverage?
I eagerly await “Tip-her-rear-y’s” visit to “Cock”
Just imagine if the match is played in Páirc Uí Caoimh!
For a country that invaded us for 800 odd years, you’d think they’d know how to pronounce our names and place names.
Im looking forward to hearing that Semple Stadium is in Thurls.
Wait until they have the subtitles in afte interviewing lads from Waterford after matches
They shouldn’t have sold these games to Sky, anyone who hasn’t watched the sport will be falling about laughing, bagpipes, kilts and did you see Mayo’s 4th goal? The goalie fell over a defender. They should only have sold the Leinster, Ulster and Munster final, and all the quarters, semis and the final. I think all the other games should be ignored and RTÈ should be allowed to do them as well, everyone’s happy!
Ohhh this is wrong on so many levels, but it’s given me the best laugh of the day reading the comments. Can’t wait for their Championship coverage and pronunciations of some of the more rustic names and grounds (Páirc Tailteann anyone?), every second story on Score.ie will be takin the absolute Micky!
Christ, don’t we get enough of this….