Crotty returns to All Blacks starting line‑up

Centre Ryan Crotty returns to the All Blacks starting line‑up for Saturday's Rugby Championship game against Argentina in Hamilton.

This is the only change in the starting fifteen from the side that beat Australia in Wellington.

Anton Lienert‑Brown has been dropped to the reserves while hooker Codie Taylor and lock Luke Romano have also been named.

Crotty missed the Wellington game because of a head knock.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he has selected this team because there is a need for consistency.

He says Argentina has shown in their two recent tests against South Africa that they are a very good side and will bring their own unique challenges.

All Blacks Captain, Kieran Read will play his 90th Test match on Saturday while prop Owen Franks will play his 83rd, becoming the 10th equal most capped All Blacks player alongside hooker Andrew Hore.

Now, if Franks does not score a try on Saturday he will equal Italian prop Salvatore Perugini's record of playing the most international Tests without scoring a try.

The All Blacks have played Argentina 22 times, with 21 wins to the All Blacks and one draw.

The most recent test was at the Rugby World Cup 2015 which the All Blacks won 26‑16.

The All Blacks face Argentina at 7.35pm Saturday.

The match day 23: (with Test caps in brackets)

1. Joe Moody (15)

2. Dane Coles (41)

3. Owen Franks (82)

4. Brodie Retallick (52)

5. Samuel Whitelock (77)

6. Jerome Kaino (71)

7. Sam Cane (36)

8. Kieran Read ‑ captain (89)

9. Aaron Smith (52)

10. Beauden Barrett (41)

11. Julian Savea (45)

12. Ryan Crotty (19)

13. Malakai Fekitoa (17)

14. Israel Dagg (53)

15. Ben Smith (53)

16. Codie Taylor (5)

17. Wyatt Crockett (50)

18. Charlie Faumuina (38)

19. Luke Romano (24)

20. Ardie Savea (4)

21. TJ Perenara (21)

22. Aaron Cruden (41)

23. Anton Lienert‑Brown (1)

Source: Radio NZ