Team news: Scott Barrett leads All Blacks against Los Pumas in Argentina

Barrett will start alongside Fabian Holland in the second row in one of nine changes to the team that finished the July Series against France in Hamilton.

Tupou Vaa'i also returns to action after missing the Hamilton Test through injury and will wear the No.6 jersey for the fourth time in a Test. Vaa'i will be part of a balanced loose forward trio, with Du'Plessis Kirifi at openside in his second Test start, and Ardie Savea at No.8 in what will be his 98th Test for the All Blacks and 100th match.

Cortez Ratima and Beauden Barrett start at halfback and first five respectively, with Finlay Christie and Damian McKenzie providing impact from the reserves. Christie returns to the All Blacks match day 23 for the first time since the second Test of the 2024 July Series against England at Eden Park.

Billy Proctor starts his fifth Test in the No.13 jersey, alongside Jordie Barrett in the midfield. Wings Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece combine with Will Jordan in the back three.

There is a wealth of experience in the reserves where backs Finlay Christie, Anton Lienert-Brown and  Damian McKenzie have a combined 172 Test caps. In the forwards, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris and Pasilio Tosi provide impact in the front row along with lock Patrick Tuipulotu and loose forward Samipeni Finau.

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the squad was fully focused and prepared for the start of the tournament.

"We've had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform," said Robertson.

"Scott and our leaders have led from the front and there's a lot of focus and motivation in the group for the start of the campaign.

"We know the Pumas identity is a fast and physical game and we've selected a team that will embrace the occasion. It's been 30 years since the All Blacks played in Cordoba and we are looking forward to the passion and energy of the home crowd."

All Blacks - 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.