Argentina v New Zealand
Nathan Harris set for debut as All Blacks make changes
ESPN Staff
September 25, 2014

Hooker Nathan Harris is expected to make his Test debut for the All Blacks when they face Argentina in the the Rugby Championship in La Plata on Saturday after being named on the replacements' bench.

Harris, who was expected to make his debut next week against South Africa, was brought into the side after Dane Coles returned home early to be at the birth of his first child.

"We've known that we were going to have to bring Nathan in for the next leg so we're just going one game earlier," Hansen said. "It's not too big of an adjustment at all really. We've been training for it; you expected the unexpected. Nathan and Keven have been doing everything. We've planned for it and it's happened.

"I'm looking forward to it actually. It's taken a long time to get him to this point. If he gets through the next two games I'm sure he's going to be a great All Black because they will be the biggest tests he'll ever have."

Another enforced change comes at fly-half where Beauden Barrett replaces the disgraced Aaron Cruden.

Malakai Fekitoa will start at the unfamiliar inside centre position after Ma'a Nonu was ruled out for the season with a broken arm he picked up against South Africa a fortnight ago. "Though it's disappointing having Ma'a injured, it is a great opportunity for [Fekitoa] and one I'm sure he will take," Hansen said.

Hansen has recalled loose forward Jerome Kaino who had been sidelined with hyper-extended elbow he sustained against Australia, while Sam Whitelock also replaces Jeremy Thrush in the second row after recovering from a rib cartilage injury.

New Zealand:

Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Joe Moody, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Cory Jane

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