Damian McKenzie earns start as All Blacks name team for Pumas clash

Playmaker Damian McKenzie will have first crack at the All Blacks’ No. 10 jersey when the New Zealanders take on Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener on Sunday morning (NZST).

McKenzie was seen training at first-five towards the end of the All Blacks’ first on-field training session in Mendoza earlier this week, while Beauden Barrett lined up at fullback.

But as announced in the early hours of Friday in New Zealand, McKenzie has officially been named to start at flyhalf for the 21^st time in Test rugby.

As for two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett, the talented utility back will provide another playmaking option against Los Pumas.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has also selected one debutant in the matchday squad, with Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa set to enter the fray of Test rugby on the right wing.

Test match regulars Ethan de Groot, Dane Coles and Tyrel Lomax make up a formidable starting front row, while Scott Barrett will partner two-Test All Black Josh Lord in a new-look second row.

Lord was seen running patterns alongside the likes of McKenzie and Barrett earlier this week at Marista Rugby Club, and veteran Brodie Retallick described his Chiefs teammate as a “great player.”

Highlanders utility Shannon Frizell will start in the No. 6 jumper, and partner captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the back row.

Aaron Smith has beaten Finlay Christie and Cam Roigard to the starting side this week, with the legendary halfback set to link up with McKenzie in the halves.

McKenzie will look to provide quality ball to an exciting backline which includes the midfield duo of Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane.

Joining Emoni Narawa in the outside backs is left winger Caleb Clarke and fullback Barrett.

The All Blacks certainly pack a punch on the bench as well, with the likes of Dalton Papali’i and Richie Mo’unga looking to make an impact late in the contest.

The match between the All Blacks and Los Pumas in Mendoza is set to get underway at 7.10 am NZST on Sunday morning,

All Blacks team to take on Argentina

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Dane Coles
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Scott Barrett
5. Josh Lord
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. Aaron Smith
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Beauden Barrett

Replacements:

16. Codie Taylor
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Dalton Papali’i
21. Finlay Christie
22. Richie Mo’unga
23. Braydon Ennor