World Cup holders New Zealand name strong side to face Argentina
Sunday 20 September 2015 16:50, UK
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has named his strongest side for the start of their World Cup defence against Argentina on Sunday.
Hansen has made just one change to the team that thumped Australia in Auckland last month, with Jerome Kaino replacing Victor Vito at blindside flanker.
Captain Richie McCaw plays his 17th World Cup match while Tony Woodcock will equal Jason Leonard's record of 104 Test starts at prop.
Dan Carter and Aaron Smith form the half-back partnership with Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu named in midfield. Sonny Bill Williams is named among the replacements.
Although 11 of the starting line-up are making their World Cup debuts, the starting XV boasts 1,103 caps between them.
"We're all itching to get started and with 11 of the 23 players about to take part in their first Rugby World Cup match, there's real excitement, enthusiasm and hunger in the group," said Hansen.
"We've selected what we believe is a very strong team. We have the utmost respect for Argentina who we know a lot more about now because of their involvement in The Rugby Championship. But it also means they know a lot more about us."
Sunday's contest at Wembley will be the 22nd meeting between the countries. New Zealand have won 20 of those, with the other ending in a draw.
Argentina have included seven World Cup debutants in a youthful team to take on the All Blacks in the Pool C opener.
The seven - four forwards and three backs - are in a line-up with five changes from the side beaten 26-12 by South Africa in their last Test in Buenos Aires a month ago.
Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade has named Guido Petti, one of the debutants, in the second row in place of Benjamin Macome.
Flanker Pablo Matera, also at his first tournament, and No 8 Leonardo Senatore return to the back row.
Only one of Sunday's pack, former captain Juan Fernandez Lobbe, did not play in Argentina's surprise 37-25 win over the Springboks a week earlier in their closing Rugby Championship clash in Durban.
Fernandez Lobbe keeps his place at openside flanker while Juan Manuel Leguizamon, a fellow veteran of the Pumas' third place at the 2007 World Cup, drops to the bench to make way for Senatore.
In the backs, Tomas Cubelli is preferred to fellow debutant Martin Landajo at scrum-half to partner Nicolas Sanchez, while the experienced Saracens centre Marcelo Bosch returns in place of Matias Moroni.
Five players on the bench are also in line for their first World Cup appearance.
