New Zealand have made wholesale changes for their Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in New Plymouth on Saturday, including a recall for Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Coach Steve Hansen billed the promotion of seven players, when he named his side Thursday, as a chance for them to take “opportunities” after his front-line unit struggled to beat Australia in their last outing.
It will be the flying wing Milner-Skudder’s first Test since the 2015 World Cup final.
Meanwhile, also in the backs, TJ Perenara starts at halfback, while Tawera Kerr-Barlow makes his first appearance of 2017 on the bench. Anton Lienert-Brown has been named at 13.
In the forwards, Vaea Fifita gets his first start in his second Test, named at blindside flanker, while lock Luke Romano makes his first start of the year.
WORLD XV POLL
Ardie Savea starts at openside flanker with Sam Cane moving to the bench. Prop Wyatt Crockett also returns to the matchday 23 on the bench.
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles , 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Luke Romano , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Vaea Fifita , 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Kieran Read (c) , 9. TJ Perenara , 10. Beauden Barrett , 11. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Anton Lienert-Brown , 14. Israel Dagg (65) 15. Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi , 19. Scott Barrett , 20. Sam Cane , 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Lima Sopoaga ,23. Ngani Laumape.