New Zealand to unleash try-scoring machine Waisake Naholo on Argentina
Try-scoring machine Waisake Naholo makes his All Blacks debut on Friday against Argentina with celebrated centurions Richie McCaw and Dan Carter making their final appearance before their home crowd.
Try-scoring machine Waisake Naholo makes his All Blacks debut on Friday against Argentina with celebrated centurions Richie McCaw and Dan Carter making their final appearance before their home crowd.
The inclusion of Fijian flyer Naholo for the opening Rugby Championship test is one of six changes to the All Blacks squad that scrambled to a 25-16 win in their season opener against Samoa a week ago.
We have a lot of respect for Argentina and what they bring, and understand that we will have to improve our game quite considerably from our Samoan effort
Another new All Black, hooker Codie Taylor, is set to make his first appearance off the bench.
Naholo, who blossomed with the Otago Highlanders this year, was the leading try-scorer in Super Rugby, touching down 13 times.
He comes in for George Moala on the right wing as coach Steve Hansen calls up four of the 17 squad members who featured in the Super final between the Highlanders and Wellington Hurricanes.
Senior All Blacks from that final, including Ben and Conrad Smith, are getting further time to recover before being introduced to the All Blacks limited World Cup build-up.