Waisake Naholo isn't only an attacking weapon. Photo / Getty Images
Waisake Naholo isn't only an attacking weapon. Photo / Getty Images
Fresh from winning a Super Rugby title, Waisake Naholo's year just keeps getting better.
The powerful Highlanders wing will wear the No14 jersey in his All Blacks test debut against Argentina at AMI Stadium on Friday night and he has a chance to make the position his own if heplays anywhere near his potential.
The expectations of coach Steve Hansen might not be sky-high - Naholo is unlikely to get the attacking opportunities that he has had with the Highlanders this season - but if he does the basics well in wintry conditions, the future is a bright one.
Charles Piutau retains his place on the left wing, but when Julian Savea is judged by Hansen and co as ready to reclaim his No11 jersey, the All Blacks will have two extremely quick and powerful wings at their disposal in Savea and Naholo.
The Fijian-born 24-year-old, who scored 13 tries for the Highlanders this season, isn't only an attacking weapon, either. He has been solid under the high ball this season and has a high work-rate. After being talked out of joining French club Clermont by New Zealand Rugby, he is also highly thought of.
With Cory Jane struggling with injury and form, the pathway to the No14 jersey is opening up for Naholo. Ben Smith is also an option there, but with Israel Dagg struggling for form the All Blacks selectors might want fellow Highlander Smith in the fullback jersey for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup tests. For Crusader Dagg, much will depend on his performance on his home track.
Naholo's selection is one of six changes Hansen has made to the team that beat Samoa in Apia last week. Brodie Retallick returns to the starting XV, replacing Sam Whitelock, with Luke Romano retaining his place in the second row, despite his eye injury. Jeremy Thrush comes on to the reserves bench.
TJ Perenara starts at halfback, with Andy Ellis moving to the bench. Sonny Bill Williams and Ma'a Nonu make up a powerful midfield, with Ryan Crotty moving to the reserves - one of five Crusaders on the bench. Prop Nepo Laulala, who has signed with the Chiefs, is also present there.
Codie Taylor is in for Hika Elliot as the reserve hooker, with Liam Messam replacing Matt Todd.
Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock will make his 100th test start.
Hansen said: "There has been a lot of talk about the Rugby World Cup and so forth, but this test match is all about the here and now.
"It's important that we get away to a really good start in the Investec Rugby Championship as we will only be playing each other once this year and we only have this one home game. We will need to get points early if we are going to give ourselves a chance of winning the championship.
Image 1 of 10: Colin Meads in action during the first test at Carisbrook, Lions Tour 1971. New Zealand won 9-3. Photo / Herald archives
"We have a lot of respect for Argentina ... and understand that we will have to improve our game quite considerably from our Samoan effort."
Halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and prop Joe Moody have again been released to play for the Maori All Blacks and Jane for the New Zealand Barbarians in the match between the two sides in Auckland on Saturday.
All Blacks v Argentina AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 7.35pm Friday
Israel Dagg Waisake Naholo Ma'a Nonu Sonny Bill Williams Charles Piutau Dan Carter TJ Perenara Kieran Read Richie McCaw (c) Jerome Kaino Brodie Retallick Luke Romano Owen Franks Keven Mealamu Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala, Jeremy Thrush, Liam Messam, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty.
