New Zealand v Argentina LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates from Rugby Championship

The Cake Tin isn’t close to full to the rim, but there’s a decent crowd in Wellington, where it is cold and a little windy. Classic Wellington conditions, really.

South Africa have made an early statement of Rugby Championship intent – will the All Blacks do likewise?

Pablo Matera takes the reins for Argentina with Julian Montoya recovering from a rib injury. Ignacio Ruiz is the beneficiary of his skipper’s absence at hooker while old-stager Agustin Creevy provides highly-experienced back-up; at the other end of the age spectrum on the bench, young lock Efrain Elias is set for a debut after an impressive U20 World Cup campaign in South Africa. Matias Moroni shifts to the wing as Lucio Cinti comes in to the midfield.

Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Eduardo Bello; 4 Franco Molina, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez; 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras; 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Matias Moroni; 15 Juan Cruz Mallia.

Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo; 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz.

Captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the All Blacks’ first two fixtures of the Rugby Championship, with Ardie Savea stepping up to skipper in his stead. Barrett is joined in the treatment room by fellow lock Patrick Tuipulotu, prompting an opportunity for Sam Darry after a debut against Fiji, while Ethan Blackadder occupies the blindside. Stephen Perofeta is absent with a calf problem, making the return from shoulder surgery of Will Jordan timely — he bolsters the back three options on the bench.

New Zealand XV: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 8 Ardie Savea (captain); 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Mark Tele’a, 12 Jordan Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 14 Sevu Reece; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi; 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Will Jordan.

There’s little time to reflect on that opener – the second game of the opening day of the 2024 Rugby Championship is almost upon us, with New Zealand and Argentina preeparing to tangle in Wellington. Let’s check in on the two teams…

A commanding performance from the world champions, showing their class and flexing their muscles in a dominant victory in Brisbane. Some signs to encourage Joe Schmidt with the Wallabies’ defensive fight, but there is so much work to do on their kicking game, set piece and attacking accuracy.

That final go lasts less than 30 seconds. Luke Reimer drops the ball cold as he readies himself for a stern South African examination in contact, and that’s that!

Into the final moments with South Africa still putting their bodies on the line defensively. A crunching hit and pilfering fingers from Malcolm Marx ensure they survive a last goalline stand, and a brilliant kick chase draws a penalty up on their own ten-metre.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu fancies more, aiming for the corner…but missing. Australia gather and will have a last go.

But the Springboks will finish with 13 men – Jesse Kriel thrusts up a pinching paw trying to intercept a wide pass, but can’t gather. Luke Pearce shows his fourth yellow card of the contest as Australia eye one more score.

Handre Pollard overcooks his restart, granting the hosts a midfield scrum back on halfway. Malcolm Marx returns from the sin bin to be part of the counter-shove.