Hooker Codie Taylor will become the 14th All Black to play 100 Tests, while there’s a new face at the back of the scrum for Saturday’s match against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Taylor, who made his Test debut against Argentina in Christchurch in 2015, becomes just the second All Blacks hooker to reach the milestone after Keven Mealamu (133 Tests).
The 34-year-old will be joined in the spotlight by 25-year-old Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker, who makes his Test debut at No 8. Ardie Savea shifts to openside flank in the only changes to the starting pack that beat Los Pumas 41-24 in Córdoba.
“Codie is a great All Black,” said coach Scott Robertson. “He carries a huge amount of mana in our group and it’s important we put out a performance that makes him and his whānau proud in his 100th Test. The way he carries himself and the example he sets are testament to him as a person. He will front this week in the same way he has for the past 99 Tests.
“Equally, it’s a special day for Simon and his family. He’s earned his selection through performance and consistency. He’s a big, physical man, and he’s ready to make an impact.”
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In other changes to the match 23, prop Tamaiti Williams and loose forward Wallace Sititi return from injury to bolster the bench, while lock Josh Lord replaces the injured Patrick Tuipulotu (facial fracture). Midfielder Quinn Tupaea is also included among the reserves.
“All of the players who have come into the squad have worked really hard and earned their place at training,” Robertson added. “It’s great to have Tamaiti and Wallace back. Our bench will bring energy and impact to the battle.”
ALL BLACKS – 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (vc), 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Simon Parker, 7 Ardie Savea (vc), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie.
A special night in Buenos Aires awaits 🖤#CT100 pic.twitter.com/0mJykqd4B7
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 21, 2025
Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
