Brisbane (Australia) (AFP)

All Blacks coach Ian Foster made major changes to his squad for the Argentina game on Saturday, retaining just three of the Pumas victorious players last Sunday and including Damian McKenzie as the opening half.

Last weekend, the Blacks were ruthless with Mario Ledesma's men, crushing them 39-0.

But Foster also has to juggle a busy schedule and has therefore made the choice to leave some of his executives to rest: "With five tests in a row and a gap of six days between the two matches against Argentina, we had to do some selection changes - required five tests in a row ".

Usually lined up at the back, McKenzie has only started one of his last 34 tests as an open half.

But Foster is confident the 26-year-old will be able to slip into the playmaker role he regularly occupies with the Waikato Chiefs, which allows him to leave Beauden Barrett on the bench.

Scrum-half TJ Perenara, back Jordie Barrett and winger George Bridge will continue this second test in a row against the Pumas.

Ardie Savea, who will be captain, will make his return to the third row in a completely revamped pack that will also include veteran mainstay Joe Moody, for his first start of the year after foot surgery.

- Vigilant Blacks -

Despite their final victory over the Argentines, the Blacks remain vigilant.

"We expect a huge reaction from Argentina and we have to make sure we are prepared for it because we know what an injured beast is capable of," said Foster, whose players are next to meet the champions of the Springboks world.

For their part, the Pumas hope, in the absence of victory, at least score points this time.

Argentina's three-quarter-quarter Santiago Carreras against South Africa during the Rugby Championship in Port Elizabeth on August 14, 2021 Michael Sheehan AFP / Archives

The management decided to make six changes, starting with the opening half of the Stade Français Nicolas Sanchez, replaced by the versatile Santiago Carreras.

Besides Sanchez, winger Bautista Delguy and crosses Matias Moroni and Jeronimo de la Fuente lost their place in the rear, to the benefit of Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares and Emiliano Boffelli.

Among the forwards, third row Juan Martin Gonzalez and second row Tomas Lavanini replace Rodrigo Bruni and Guido Petti.

New Zealand roster for the match against Argentina (Saturday 12:05 / 10:05 GMT):

J. Barrett - Jordan, Ioane, Tupaea, Bridge - (o) McKenzie, (m) Perenara - Savea (cap), Sotutu, Blackadder - Vaa'i, Tuipulotu - Lomax, Taukei'aho, Moody

Alternates: Taylor, Bower, Tuungafasi, S. Barrett, Jacobson, Christie, B. Barrett, Ennor

Line-up of Argentina vs New Zealand:

Mallia - Cordero, Cinti, Chocobares, Boffelli - (o) Carreras, (m) Bertranou - Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez - Lavanini, Alemanno - Medrano, Montoya (cap), Gigena

Substitutes: Socino, Muzzio, Pieretto, Petti, Lezana, Garcia, Miotti, Moroni

© 2021 AFP