Hooker Codie Taylor will become New Zealand’s 14th Test centurion after being named on Friday to start against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 23:10 (SA time).
Taylor made his All Blacks debut against Argentina in Christchurch in 2015.
He followed in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather Walter Pringle, who was All Black number 30, making his debut for New Zealand in 1893.
‘Great All Black’
“Codie is a great All Black,” coach Scott Robertson said.
“The way he carries himself and the example he sets are testament to him as a person and he will front this week in the same way he has for the past 99 Tests.”
Starting alongside Taylor is a number eight at the other end of the experience spectrum.
Simon Parker will make his All Blacks debut alongside Tupou Vaa’i and Ardie Savea in the loose forwards.
“It’s a special day for Simon and his family,” Robertson said.
“He’s earned his selection through performance and consistency. He’s a big, physical man, and he’s ready to make an impact.”
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu was ruled out of the match with a facial fracture, and Anton Lienert-Brown was also ruled out with a concussion.
For the record, the Springboks have eight Test centurions.
All Black Test centurions
| Rank | Player | Position | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Whitelock | Lock | 153 |
| 2 | Richie McCaw | Flanker | 148 |
| 3 | Beauden Barrett | Flyhalf | 137 |
| 4 | Keven Mealamu | Hooker | 132 |
| 5 | Kieran Read | Number 8 | 127 |
| 6 | Aaron Smith | Scrumhalf | 125 |
| 7 | Tony Woodcock | Prop | 118 |
| 8 | Dan Carter | Flyhalf | 112 |
| 9 | Brodie Retallick | Lock | 109 |
| 10 | Owen Franks | Prop | 108 |
| 11 | Sam Cane | Flank | 104 |
| 12 | Ma’a Nonu | Centre | 103 |
| 12 | Mils Muliaina | Fullback | 100 |
TEAMS
Argentina
TBA
New Zealand
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Date: Saturday, 23 August
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 23:10 (SA time)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
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