(L-R) Nepo Laulala, David Havili, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown, Brodie Retallick, Codie Taylor, Aaron Smith, Scott Barrett, Beauden Barrett and Sam Whitelock. Photo / Getty Images.
(L-R) Nepo Laulala, David Havili, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown, Brodie Retallick, Codie Taylor, Aaron Smith, Scott Barrett, Beauden Barrett and Sam Whitelock. Photo / Getty Images.
Brodie Retallick has been named All Blacks captain for their Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Brisbane on Sunday.
Retallick will become the 71st All Blacks test captain, replacing Ardie Savea who has been left out after failing HIA tests against the Wallabies in Perth last Sunday.
Retallick will skipperthe side from lock, becoming the fourth skipper the All Blacks have used this year.
"Brodie is a great leader in this team and we don't take his leadership for granted," All Blacks coach Ian Foster said in a statement.
"We think this is a great honour for him, and he and his family can be hugely proud. He's playing really well and leads from the front. He has come back into the black jersey this year and just picked up where he left off.
"He also has an experienced partner in Beaudy (Barrett) alongside him who is bringing a calmness to the team and a sense of direction and we're seeing that in the way he plays."
In the starting front row, hooker Asafo Aumua will be making his first test start, alongside Karl Tu'inukuafe, who comes in for George Bower, and Nepo Laulala. Prop Joe Moody will make his eagerly-awaited return to the national side via the bench after undergoing foot surgery this year. Tyrel Lomax is the other reserve prop, coming into the 23 for his third test of the year. Samisoni Taukei'aho is reserve hooker.
In the second row, Scott Barrett will once again start alongside Retallick, with Tupou Vaa'i again the reserve lock. In the loose forwards, Luke Jacobson comes in at number eight for his third test start of the year, alongside Akira Ioane at six and Dalton Papalii in the seven jersey. Ethan Blackadder will once again provide loose forward impact from the bench.
In the backs, TJ Perenara starts at halfback with Brad Weber reserve, and Beauden Barrett is at 10 in his 95th test. David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown are again the midfield pairing, George Bridge will start on the left wing, with Sevu Reece coming in on the right and Jordie Barrett is again at fullback.
There is no place in the 23-man squad for try machine Will Jordan, with Damian McKenzie and Rieko Ioane the bench options.
Codie Taylor has also been left out after failing his HIA tests against the Wallabies in Perth last Sunday.
(L-R) Nepo Laulala, David Havili, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown, Brodie Retallick, Codie Taylor, Aaron Smith, Scott Barrett, Beauden Barrett and Sam Whitelock. Photo / Getty Images.
All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: "We've had a great build up in Perth and we're looking forward to getting to Queensland to finish our preparation. The key to selection this week has been about managing the player workload across the whole squad, which I think all teams will be doing in the Championship. We want to ensure we have a fresh, excited squad ready to play a physical and passionate Argentinian team.
"They've had a tough time on the road with matches in Europe and South Africa before coming to Australia. But we know from last year that when they spend a lot of time together it really unifies them, so we're expecting a torrid game."
All Blacks matchday 23 is (test caps in brackets):
