Ardie Savea starts at No 8 for the All Blacks against Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday.

With regular No 8s Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson still injured, Savea shifts from openside flank to the base of the scrum, joining Du’Plessis Kirifi and Tupou Vaa’i in the back row.

Robertson’s only other significant change sees Cortez Ratima start at scrumhalf, partnering the fit-again Beauden Barrett. Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham’s injuries opened the door for Ratima’s selection.

Jordie Barrett lines up at inside centre next to Billy Proctor, with Will Jordan, Sevu Reece and Rieko Ioane forming the back three.

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Up front, captain Scott Barrett returns from injury to partner Fabian Holland in the second row, while Fletcher Newell continues at tighthead in Tyrel Lomax’s absence, alongside hooker Codie Taylor and loosehead Ethan de Groot.

On the bench, Robertson has opted for experience in the Rugby Championship opener, with Finlay Christie preferred over uncapped Kyle Preston at scrumhalf and Anton Lienert-Brown named ahead of Quinn Tupaea and Timoci Tavatavanawai.

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“We’ve had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform,” Robertson said.

“We know the Pumas’ identity is a fast and physical game and we’ve selected a team that will embrace the occasion.

It’s been 30 years since the All Blacks played in Cordoba and we are looking forward to the passion and energy of the home crowd.”

ALL BLACKS – 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 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 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images