McCaw not leaping out at Pumas

All Black skipper Richie McCaw will join the alternate XV but is an unlikely starter for Sunday's test against Argentina.

The flanker left yesterday with 10 other teammates and the rest of the All Black coaching staff to link up with the side already in Buenos Aires.

"Richie could be in the 22 for the test," assistant coach Steve Hansen initially suggested.

"His chances are 60-40, that he is likely to be staying in his tracksuit."

McCaw went straight from the Super 14 playoffs into captaining the All Blacks in both tests to win the series against Ireland.

Others in a similar category - Aaron Mauger and Rodney So'oialo - have been spelled from the trip to Argentina which doubles as the final trial before the Tri-Nations squad is revealed on June 27.

Thought was given to resting McCaw as well, assistant coach Steve Hansen said, but everyone agreed it was better he remain with the squad.

McCaw's international captaincy was in its infancy and it was best for him to keep building relationships with the rest of his squad.

He would be also able to assist stand-in skipper Jerry Collins.

The extras chosen for the trip to Argentina had been picked because of their utility value and specialist backup for hooker and halfback roles.

Players such as Ma'a Nonu, Craig Newby and Neemia Tialata would cover more positions than alternatives such as Casey Laulala, Marty Holah and Clarke Dermody.

Others such as deputy five-eighths Luke McAlister would benefit from being involved in the different pressure of a test in Buenos Aires.

The extra group had been pencilled in before the All Blacks completed their series win against Ireland at the weekend and the Pumas beat Wales.

The only change the selectors considered had been Troy Flavell.

He complained of a sore back at Eden Park and was replaced after 53 minutes but the lock/loose forward passed a medical yesterday in Auckland and was declared fit to travel.

Hansen said he had not seen any footage of the Pumas 45-27 win against Wales in Buenos Aires but the All Blacks had been in the audience and would now comprehend the atmosphere and Pumas style they would face this weekend.

Eleven of the side picked to play Argentina have not played for a month since the Super 14 final while Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Ali Williams and Sam Tuitupou have been out of action for six weeks.

Most pressure will come on the untried midfield combination of Tuitupou and the rookie Isaia Toeava who is being used at centre as the search continues for Tana Umaga's replacement. Toeava and Jerome Kaino have been special projects for the All Black selectors, players they have marked as the best potential for the next World Cup.

The next evidence of whether those schemes have altered will come next week when the squad returns from Argentina and the Tri-Nations group is announced.

All Blacks v Argentina

Buenos Aires, 11.30am Sunday

Leon MacDonald 15
Rico Gear 14
Isaia Toeava 13
Sam Tuitupou 12
Scott Hamilton 11
Daniel Carter 10
Piri Weepu 9
Mose Tuiali'i 8
Chris Masoe 7
Jerry Collins (c) 6
Ali Williams 5
Jason Eaton 4
Greg Somerville 3
Anton Oliver 2

Extras: Tony Woodcock Jimmy Cowan, Byron Kelleher, Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Craig Newby, Neemia Tialata.