Back in black: Dan Carter has played for New Zealand only once this year © Getty Images

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Dan Carter is tapping into his memory bank as he reclaims the All Blacks' No.10 jersey in The Rugby Championship Test against Argentina at Waikato Stadium on Saturday, when he will make just his second Test appearance of the year because of hand and calf injuries.

Carter, 31, has played for New Zealand this season against only France in New Plymouth in June, and he has spoken of the "challenge" of having reached having had limited time training with the All Blacks.

"But I just have to draw on my experience of being in situations before where I've had injury and then returned and played well," Carter said. "It means I have to work harder with the combinations around me, which are a bit different this weekend, but the excitement levels are high."

Carter will operate outside scrum-half Aaron Smith, with whom he was last paired nine months ago in the 38-21 defeat by England at Twickenham. "It's been a while," Carter said. "Nothing changes just because I'm back in the jersey. He still has to go out there and lead like he has been leading and playing well."

Carter, meanwhile, had 60 minutes alongside debutant second five-eighth Francis Saili during the All Blacks' practice hit-outs against Canterbury and Wellington in August. He said they had worked this week on their understanding, and the key was to give the rookie the confidence to play his game.

Aaron Cruden has become New Zealand's top No.10 in Dan Carter's absence © Getty Images

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Carter, who also had an injury-disrupted 2012, will take a six-month sabbatical after the All Blacks' end-of-year tour as he looks to prolong his career through to Rugby World Cup 2015.

Carter has played 95 Tests and stands just one point short of being the first player to score 1400 Test points, but the development of Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Tom Taylor this season means his absence this season hasn't produced the alarms bells that peeled when he was felled by a groin injury during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Carter said the competition for the playmaker's position was keeping him on his toes. "It's great to see the depth we have at the moment and they've all made the most of the opportunities they've been given," he said. "It's the same for me. I've been given an opportunity, so I just have to make the most of it."

Follow live text commentary of the Test between New Zealand and Argentina on Saturday, September 7, from 5pm (AEST), 7pm (NZT), 7am (GMT)

Dan Carter practises kicking now in a different fashion to preserve his fitness © Getty Images

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