Kieran Read is expecting a lot of noise when he leads his side onto the pitch in front of a sold out Estadio Jose Amalfitani on Sunday morning (NZT), the first time the All Blacks have played at the venue in ten years.
The venue is familiar for some, with
the Highlanders and Chiefs playing the Jaguares at the stadium earlier in the year.
"It's going to be nice and loud, what we expected so looking forward to tomorrow night," Read said.
Read himself has never played at the stadium but was given insight into the rabid Buenos Aires crowd from Chiefs and Highlanders teammates who have.
"They've certainly said how it can feel like it's right on top of you," Read said. "We're expecting a few more people to cram in tomorrow night so it's going to be a good atmosphere."
Chiefs utility Damian McKenzie is one of a handful of All Blacks that have played at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, but tomorrow the atmosphere will almost certainly be more relentless.
After a brilliant breakout Super Rugby season, McKenzie is poised to earn his first international cap following a revamp of the side that dismantled South Africa two weeks ago. Liam Squire, who missed the Highlanders trip to Argentina after a concussion, will get his first start in place of the injured Jerome Kaino.
Read is confident that with nine total changes and four new starters everyone is more than prepared.
"It's a different thing I guess, turning up and starting a test match so a lot of these guys are really itching at the bit to get out there and really contribute to this team.
"We're a squad now of 32 and anyone who steps into the team just has to perform their role and that's all we ask of them."
Read spoke highly of Squire, who will join him in the back row.
"He's got some great skills and he's a physical beast as well to be honest.
"Certainly once he lets some things happen he can put on some great hits on defence.
"He's got all the benchmarks of a really quality test player."
Read then dispelled any word of the All Blacks starting slow.
"We're trying to start well. Test matches are test matches, they're wars of attrition.
"You're not going to break teams down straight away. We've just got to make sure that we stay nice and calm and stick to our processes in those occasions.
"When opportunities do present themselves, if it's in the first five minutes great, if it's a bit later on then we've got to take them then."
The All Blacks captain also insisted the Pumas, who got off to a hot start last time the two met, will not be taken lightly.
"This Argentinian side is pretty damn good; they're very impressive so far in the Championship.
"At home they are a different beast so we're looking forward to a big challenge."
All Blacks side to face Argentina:
Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Patrick Tuipulotu, Brodie Retallick, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Samuel Whitelock, Elliot Dixon, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Damian McKenzie
