All Blacks: Injured duo return

All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino has recovered from injury to start against Argentina this weekend. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Sam Whitelock and Jerome Kaino will provide a boost to the re-shuffled All Blacks team against Argentina at La Plata on Sunday after recovering from their injuries.

Whitelock is back from a rib injury he suffered against the Pumas in Napier which kept him out of the victory over the Springboks in Wellington, and Kaino is back from an elbow problem he suffered against Australia in the Sydney stalemate.

Both are key components of a forward pack which will be tested by the big Argentines ahead of the return test against the Boks in Johannesburg, and both will help add composure to a team hindered by injury and absence.

Keven Mealamu starts at hooker after Dane Coles' departure to be at the birth of his son, Beauden Barrett starts at first-five following Aaron Cruden's failure to make the flight to Buenos Aires and Malakai Fekitoa starts at second-five in the absence of Ma'a Nonu, who has a broken arm.

"After a good week of preparation, we are really looking forward to, and excited by, the challenge that playing Argentina in Argentina brings," coach Steve Hansen said.

"There is an expectation that we will have a quality performance full of excitement, energy, physicality and accuracy. To beat the Argentines will require that of us, as they have been playing very well and have improved a lot since last year. With this being only their second home game in the Championship, there will be huge expectation on them to win."

Hansen said he was looking forward to seeing Malakai Fekitoa playing at No12: "Though it's disappointing having Ma'a injured, it is a great opportunity for the young man and one I'm sure he will take."

Hansen added he was also looking forward to seeing Nathan Harris make his test debut off the bench.

"Nathan has been developing very well. It's well known that we don't have a lot of depth in this position, but we feel that Nathan is ready and capable of doing a very good job."

Skipper Richie McCaw celebrates another milestone by equalling Colin Meads' 133 All Blacks matches. It will be McCaw's 132nd test, his other appearance coming against the Barbarians in 2009. Meads played 55 tests.

A bonus point victory will almost certainly wrap up the Rugby Championship for the All Blacks.

All Blacks team to play Argentina (test caps in brackets):

1. Wyatt Crockett (31)
2. Keven Mealamu (117)
3. Owen Franks (61)
4. Brodie Retallick (31)
5. Samuel Whitelock (57)
6. Jerome Kaino (52)
7. Richie McCaw (c) (131)
8. Kieran Read (66)
9. Aaron Smith (33)
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea (26)
12. Malakai Fekitoa (4)
13. Conrad Smith (80)
14. Ben Smith (33)
15. Israel Dagg (41)

Reserves:
16. Nathan Harris (0)
17. Joe Moody (3)
18. Ben Franks (35)
19. Jeremy Thrush (7)
20. Sam Cane (18)
21. TJ Perenara (7)
22. Colin Slade (12)
23. Cory Jane (51)