Carter out, Cruden starts
6 Sep 2012
All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter has been withdrawn from the side to face Argentina at the weekend.
Carter was initially named to start but has succumbed to a calf strain. Aaron Cruden takes his place, with Beauden Barrett covering on the bench.
Julian Savea has finally been given another start for the Blacks. The Canes winger, who scored a hat-trick against Ireland on debut, has not featured since the second Test. He is one of five changes to the run-on XV for Saturday’s Test.
Victor Vito also gets a start ahead of Liam Messam, but coach Steve Hansen has resisted resting captain Richie McCaw. McCaw starts but in all probability will only play 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has finalised his team for Saturday’s clash. The Pumas had named their starting side on Tuesday, and on Thursday confirmed their bench.
The last time the two teams met was in last year’s World Cup quarter-final. The All Blacks won 33-10.
All Blacks – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Ben Smith.
Argentina – 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (c), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Subs: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Leonardo Senatore, 20 Thomas Leonardi, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

59 Comments
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7 Sep 2012, 06:24 am
@super_adi-41: jason emery romped against the likes of samoa in the JWC but got found out by the baby boks…
might have to switch though as his dimensions don’t scream big lad at all.
7 Sep 2012, 07:03 am
@Transformation-51:
Can’t see him making Ab status….. due to his size……probably Maori Ab/ S15 at best.
7 Sep 2012, 07:59 am
This is a bloody good team!
7 Sep 2012, 09:35 am
Transie,Te Rangatira
Emery has similar dimensions to Ellison…..could put on weight in years to come
7 Sep 2012, 09:40 am
@mshiniwami-54: what 1.79m 86kg?
7 Sep 2012, 10:13 am
Hansen is doing a great, GREAT, job so far in his management of transferring the ownership of the team from Henry to himself.
The AB’s are attempting to play at a level way beyond the expansive limits Henry was comfortable with.
That said, satisfactory execution has only been around the 75% mark so far in the RC. That needs to improve.
7 Sep 2012, 10:23 am
@Brads-56: yep, 30 handling errors are not on!
7 Sep 2012, 10:45 am
@Transformation-57:
IF it ever happens that the 2012+ AB’s get their collective act together, we will see some records this current vintage of opposition will pray is broken.
7 Sep 2012, 10:55 am
@Brads-58:
By that I mean the AB’s always front at full strength, while the opposition worrying about some issue unrelated to the immediate challenge.
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