All Blacks: Fekitoa gets first start at second-five

Malakai Fekitoa will take Ma'a Nonu's place as second-five against Argentina this Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

Coach Hansen says capable centre could eventually specialise in both positions

For two All Blacks at the opposite ends of their careers, Sunday's test against Argentina will be significant for very different reasons.

It will be Malakai Fekitoa's first start at second-five, a move from centre which coach Steve Hansen believes will be so seamless the 22-year-old could eventually specialise in both positions, and it will be Richie McCaw's 133rd match for the All Blacks, which puts him level with the great Colin Meads.

Fekitoa, a quietly spoken individual who admits he will have to work hard to make sure he is heard in the middle of what will be a noisy Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, said he was excited about the opportunity to play inside Conrad Smith in Ma'a Nonu's absence with a broken arm.

His actions against the big Argentines are likely to speak louder than any words. Fekitoa will be expected to run hard and straight, two things he does better than most. His passing and kicking, two aspects of Nonu's game which have improved massively over the past few years, will be expected to come in time.

"He's strong, he's a big carrier of the ball, he's a young Ma'a Nonu really," Hansen said. "We saw Ma'a develop over a number of seasons into a world-class player and I think we will with Malakai as well.

"He's one of those rare beasts who could play both [positions]. Ma'a is better suited at No12 and doesn't really enjoy playing centre. Conrad has only played centre, whereas Mala could probably play both pretty easily.

"He's in the early stages of his career when any opportunity is exciting so I suppose underneath there will be a little bit of nerves as there is always for young players. He hasn't played much at No12 - I'm really looking forward to that."

One player who has performed well for a long time is 33-year-old captain McCaw, who will add to a list of records and achievements when he draws level with Meads. It will be McCaw's 132nd test - his other game coming against the Barbarians in 2009. Meads played 55 tests and 78 other matches for the All Blacks.

"McCaw is a special creature and he's played a huge part in the All Blacks in his time since he started in 2001," Hansen said.

"I don't think he's finished yet, he's still got a few more to add too, hopefully. Touch wood he doesn't get injured. He's playing really well. He's enjoying it, which is important, and he's leading well."

Loose forward Jerome Kaino, who with Sam Whitelock returns to the starting line-up after injury, said Conrad Smith had briefed the team on McCaw's milestone.

"Conrad mentioned it to the team last night and some of the guys were taken aback by it. He's quite an amazing individual. When you hear those kinds of accolades and those kinds of achievements ... it's quite awesome to be in the same room and to be playing in the same team as someone that special."

Hansen added: "His whole career will mean a lot to him but it won't really register until he retires. He's a special player, a special man for that matter. He's worthy of being the man who plays the most games for the All Blacks."