Sam Cane of New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
- Former captain Sam Cane has been brought back into the All Black squad
- Tamaiti Williams gets a start at prop
- Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke to start on the wings
- Rieko Ioane back at centre
All Black coach Scott Robertson has recalled former skipper Sam Cane and reshuffled his backline after their shock 38-30 loss at Sky Stadium last weekend.
Cane comes into the match day 23 for the first time in 2024 and will have the opportunity to add to his 95 Test caps from the reserves.
There are three changes in the backline where wings Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan start on the left and right wings respectively and Rieko Ioane reclaims the No.13 jersey.
It will be Jordan's first start of the season after returning via the reserves against Argentina in Wellington from a shoulder injury that had kept him out of the first three Tests of the year. The 26-year-old will wear the No.14 jersey for the 26th time, while Clarke returns to the squad after a standout performance against Fiji in San Diego in July.
Ioane switches back with Anton Lienert-Brown, who moves to the reserves alongside fellow demoted back Mark Tele'a.
The starting forward pack has just one change with Tamaiti Williams gaining his third test start at loose head prop in place of Ethan de Groot, who is having a neck injury assessed.
The side will again be led by Ardie Savea, with Dalton Papali'i and Ethan Blackadder completing the loose trio.
"We've reflected deeply on our performance and our preparation individually and collectively is something we have all owned. Our intent and focus has shifted solely to Eden Park," Robertson said.
All Blacks v Pumas
Kick-off: 7.05pm, Saturday 17 August (NZT)
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
All Blacks: 1. Tamaiti Williams 2. Codie Taylor 3. Tyrel Lomax 4. Tupou Vaa'i 5. Sam Darry 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Dalton Papali'i 8. Ardie Savea (c) 9. TJ Perenara 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Rieko Ioane 14. Will Jordan 15. Beauden Barrett
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi 18. Fletcher Newell 19. Josh Lord 20. Sam Cane 21. Cortez Ratima 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Mark Tele'a
Pumas: TBC
