The All Blacks team to play Argentina in the Investec Rugby Championship Test at Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on Saturday 1 October has been named.

The matchday 23 is (with Test caps in brackets.  New caps in bold):

1. Joe Moody (17)
2. Dane Coles (43)
3. Owen Franks (84)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (9)
5. Brodie Retallick (54)
6. Liam Squire (3)
7. Ardie Savea (6)
8. Kieran Read - capt (91)
9.  TJ Perenara (23)
10. Beauden Barrett (43)
11. Julian Savea (47)
12. Ryan Crotty (21)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (3)
14. Israel Dagg (55)
15. Ben Smith (55)

16. Codie Taylor (8)
17. Wyatt Crockett (52)
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (1)
19. Samuel Whitelock (79)
20. Elliot Dixon (1)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (21)
22. Lima Sopoaga (3) 
23. Damian McKenzie

The Test team features several changes to the 23 which played South Africa in Christchurch earlier this month.

In the forwards, loose forward Liam Squire will make his first Test start in his fourth Test, at blindside flanker, replacing the injured Jerome Kaino.  In other forward changes, lock Patrick Tuipulotu will start alongside Brodie Retallick, with Sam Whitelock moving to the bench; Ofa Tu'ungafasi comes onto the bench as replacement prop for Charlie Faumuina; while Elliot Dixon comes into the 23 as loose forward cover.

In the backs, TJ Perenara will start at halfback, with Tawera Kerr-Barlow coming onto the bench, while Anton Lienert-Brownwill start at centre in his fourth Test, replacing Malaki Fekitoa.  Damian McKenzie has been picked in a matchday 23 for the first time and will become All Black number 1154 when he makes his expected Test debut from the bench.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "When it came to selecting this side, our key focus was to select a team that would maintain a high standard of performance and also allow us to grow our player depth and experience in the Test arena.  We also took into consideration the fact that we have seven Tests under our belts this year and more Tests and a lot of international travel to come. The expectation is that this side will build on the performances we've produced so far this year and play a game we can all be proud of.

"Having said that, this weekend presents a massive challenge for us. Argentina are a very good team and we have a huge amount of respect for them.  They put us under real pressure at times during the Test in Hamilton and we've worked really hard this week to prepare for what we expect to be coming this weekend.

"Argentina are playing in front of their passionate home crowd and will feed off that passion.  They'll bring their trademark physicality as well as their flair, and ability to offload, to the contest.  We'll have to start well to take the crowd out of the game.  To do that we'll need to bring intensity, purpose and accuracy to all aspects of our game."

All Blacks v Argentina - key facts

* The All Blacks have played Argentina 23 times, with 22 wins to the All Blacks and one draw.  The All Blacks won the home Investec Rugby Championship Test match 57-22 in Hamilton earlier this month.
* If Sam Whitelock comes off the bench as expected, he will play his 80th Test and become the most capped All Blacks lock in history, overtaking Ian Jones. Meanwhile, Owen Franks will play his 85th Test, while All Blacks captain Kieran Read will play his 92nd Test, becoming the eighth-equal most capped All Black of all time.
* The All Blacks last weekend equalled their own record of scoring 24 tries in an Investec Rugby Championship season.
* Julian Savea has scored nine tries against Argentina and currently holds the joint record (with former Wallaby David Campese).
* On the subject of tries, Ben Smith's try against South Africa was the 1900th scored by the All Blacks in Test matches.  That's an average of 3.5 tries per Test throughout the team's history.

The Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. Australia 8 All Blacks 42, Saturday 20 August, ANZ Stadium, SYDNEY
2. All Blacks 29 Australia 9, Saturday 27 August, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. All Blacks 57 Argentina 22. Sat 10 September, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. All Blacks 41 South Africa 13. Sat 17 September, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Sat 1 October, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Sat 8 October, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

The All Blacks side has been named to play South Africa in the Investec Rugby Championship Test at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, on Saturday 17 September 2016.

The matchday 23 is (with Test caps in brackets):

1. Joe Moody (16)
2.  Dane Coles (42)
3.  Owen Franks (83)
4.  Brodie Retallick (53)
5.  Samuel Whitelock (78)
6.  Jerome Kaino (72)
7.  Ardie Savea (5)
8.  Kieran Read - captain (90)
9.  Aaron Smith (53)
10.  Beauden Barrett (42)
11.  Julian Savea (46)
12.  Ryan Crotty (20)
13.  Malakai Fekitoa (18)
14.  Israel Dagg (54)
15.  Ben Smith (54)

16.  Codie Taylor (6)
17.  Wyatt Crockett (51)
18.  Charlie Faumuina (39)
19.  Luke Romano (25)
20. Matt Todd (3)
21.  TJ Perenara (22)
22.  Lima Sopoaga (2) 
23.  Anton Lienert-Brown (2)

The matchday 23 features just two changes from the team that played Argentina last weekend: Ardie Savea comes in for the injured Sam Cane in the starting 7 jersey, with Matt Todd coming into the 23 as loose forward cover; while Lima Sopoaga comes into the matchday 23, replacing Aaron Cruden, who has a groin strain.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "We're really looking forward to Saturday's encounter, as South Africa is one of our traditional foes.  We have built up a great relationship over the last few years and respect the South Africans immensely."

"We know they'll be hurting and desperate to get a result after their loss on the weekend.  Therefore, our personal preparation this week will have to be at the highest level - bone deep with real clarity," he added.

"We've worked hard this week on improving in the areas we felt weren't good enough last weekend.  We're confident that those areas have been addressed and our performance will be improved.

"Whilst we have been reasonably happy with our three games to date in the Investec Rugby Championship, we are always striving for improvement and with South Africa having their backs to the wall, we know nothing but our best will be good enough.  Accuracy with intensity will be paramount."

All Blacks v South Africa - key facts

* The All Blacks and South Africa have a history dating back to 1921 when the first Test between the sides was played at Carisbrook, Dunedin.  The All Blacks won 13-5 that day.
* Since that day, the sides have played each other 91 times, with 53 wins to the All Blacks, 35 to South Africa and three draws. The most recent match was the 20-18 RWC semifinal last year.  The All Blacks 58 percent winning record against South Africa is the lowest of all the team's traditional rivals.
* All Blacks Captain Kieran Read has now won his first 15 Tests as captain, taking over the world record from All Blacks legend Sir Brian Lochore.
* Beauden Barrett has scored 303 points in first-class rugby already this year, including 
* 80 points for the All Blacks.  He has scored a total of 225 points in Test matches, which is tenth on the All Blacks list.
* Israel Dagg's booming penalty goal last weekend was his second for the All Blacks and he is now on 98 points for the All Blacks.

The Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. Australia 8 All Blacks 42, Saturday 20 August, ANZ Stadium, SYDNEY
2. All Blacks 29 Australia 9, Saturday 27 August, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. All Blacks 57 Argentina 22. Saturday 10 Sept, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 17 Sept, 7.35PM, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 1 Oct, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 8 Oct, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

Meanwhile, the following players will be available to play Mitre 10 Cup this Sunday 18 September: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu and George Moala (Auckland v Counties Manukau, Eden Park); and Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Seta Tamanivalu (Waikato v Taranaki, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton).

The All Blacks side has been named to play the third Test in the Investec Rugby Championship against Argentina at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, on Saturday 10 September 2016.

The matchday 23 is (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)

The matchday 23 features just three changes from the team that secured the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington 12 days ago: Ryan Crotty returns at second five-eighth, with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to the 23 jersey while Codie Taylor is named at replacement hooker and Luke Romano comes onto the bench as lock cover.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "In selecting this team, we felt there was the need for consistency.  The squad is five games into re-establishing themselves on the international stage and we felt that it would not be right to make a lot of changes.

"We know we'll be facing a completely different challenge this week.  Argentina will bring their traditional physicality up front and flair in the backs and we will have to be ready for whatever they throw at us.

"They have shown in their time in the Investec Rugby Championship, and especially in their two recent Tests against South Africa, that they are a very good side and will bring their own unique challenges.

"We have worked hard during the early part of the week on getting reconnected as a group, getting the understanding of our roles cemented, and getting our mental attitude right. We'll need to be right on top of our game, both mentally and physically, and play the game with real accuracy, if we are to prevail on Saturday."
 
All Blacks v Argentina - key facts

* The All Blacks have played Argentina 22 times, with 21 wins to the All Blacks and one draw.  The most recent Test was the Pool Play Test at Rugby World Cup 2015, which the All Blacks won 26 -16.
* 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). If Franks doesn't 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 Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. Australia 8 All Blacks 42, Saturday 20 August, ANZ Stadium, SYDNEY
2. All Blacks 29 Australia 9, Saturday 27 August, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 10 Sept, 7.35PM, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 17 Sept, 7.35PM, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 1 Oct, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 8 Oct, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

Meanwhile, the following players will be available to play the Auckland v Waikato Mitre 10 Cup match at Eden Park on Sunday 11 September: Patrick Tuipulotu & Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Damian McKenzie & Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

The All Blacks side has been named to play the third Test in the Investec Rugby Championship against Argentina at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, on Saturday 10 September 2016.

The matchday 23 is (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)

The matchday 23 features just three changes from the team that secured the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington 12 days ago: Ryan Crotty returns at second five-eighth, with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to the 23 jersey while Codie Taylor is named at replacement hooker and Luke Romano comes onto the bench as lock cover.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "In selecting this team, we felt there was the need for consistency.  The squad is five games into re-establishing themselves on the international stage and we felt that it would not be right to make a lot of changes.

"We know we'll be facing a completely different challenge this week.  Argentina will bring their traditional physicality up front and flair in the backs and we will have to be ready for whatever they throw at us.

"They have shown in their time in the Investec Rugby Championship, and especially in their two recent Tests against South Africa, that they are a very good side and will bring their own unique challenges.

"We have worked hard during the early part of the week on getting reconnected as a group, getting the understanding of our roles cemented, and getting our mental attitude right. We'll need to be right on top of our game, both mentally and physically, and play the game with real accuracy, if we are to prevail on Saturday."
 
All Blacks v Argentina - key facts

* The All Blacks have played Argentina 22 times, with 21 wins to the All Blacks and one draw.  The most recent Test was the Pool Play Test at Rugby World Cup 2015, which the All Blacks won 26 -16.
* 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). If Franks doesn't 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 Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. Australia 8 All Blacks 42, Saturday 20 August, ANZ Stadium, SYDNEY
2. All Blacks 29 Australia 9, Saturday 27 August, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 10 Sept, 7.35PM, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 17 Sept, 7.35PM, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 1 Oct, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 8 Oct, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

Meanwhile, the following players will be available to play the Auckland v Waikato Mitre 10 Cup match at Eden Park on Sunday 11 September: Patrick Tuipulotu & Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Damian McKenzie & Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

The All Blacks side to play the second Bledisloe Cup match in the Investec Rugby Championship at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday 27 August has been named, with new All Black Anton Lienert-Brown to make his Test debut.

The matchday 23 is (with Test caps in brackets.  New All Blacks in bold):

1. Joe Moody (14)
2.  Dane Coles (40)
3.  Owen Franks (81)
4.  Brodie Retallick (51)
5.  Samuel Whitelock (76)
6.  Jerome Kaino (70)
7.  Sam Cane (35)
8.  Kieran Read - captain (88)
9.  Aaron Smith (51)
10.  Beauden Barrett (40)
11.  Julian Savea (44)
12.  Anton Lienert-Brown
13.  Malakai Fekitoa (16)
14.  Israel Dagg (52)
15.  Ben Smith (52)

16.  James Parsons (1)
17.  Wyatt Crockett (49)
18.  Charlie Faumuina (37)
19.  Liam Squire (2)
20. Ardie Savea (3)
21.  TJ Perenara (20)
22.  Aaron Cruden (40) 
23.  Seta Tamanivalu (2)

A 21-year-old midfielder, Lienert-Brown will make his Test debut in the number 12 jersey, coming in for the injured Ryan Crotty in one of four changes to the matchday 23 which beat Australia 42-8 in Sydney in the opening match of the Investec Rugby Championship last weekend.

Prop Joe Moody returns from injury to start at loosehead prop, with Wyatt Crockett set to play his 50th Test from the bench.  In the other changes, James Parsons' experience sees him named at replacement hooker, while Seta Tamanivalu is in the 23 jersey as back cover.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "Firstly, we'd like to congratulate Anton on his Test selection.  He had a very good Super season with strong performances throughout and we expect him to take the step up. We're really looking forward to seeing him play in the international arena.  It'll be a special night for Anton on Saturdayand he and his family can be proud of what he has achieved.

"We'd also like to congratulate 'Crocky' on what will be his 50th Test.  That's also a special milestone for an All Black.  'Crocky' is the ultimate team man who has worked hard throughout his career.  His attitude and performances since bouncing back from non-selection for the Rugby World Cup squad in 2011 epitomises everything you want in a team member and he can be very proud of what he has achieved."

Reflecting on the challenge this week, Hansen said: "This Test match will tell us a lot about ourselves and Australia.  There's no doubt that one of the hardest things to do in sport is to back up a big performance with another big performance.  It's totally a mental thing, so that is something we've been working really hard on this week: getting our feet back on the ground and our attitudes right for what is going to be a really physical and demanding Test.  As always, the expectation we have placed on ourselves is to improve in everything we do.

"Australia is a proud side and will not have been happy with their performance last week. As a result, we're expecting them to throw everything they've got at us.  This should lead to a very exciting, physical and high-intensity Test match with the Bledisloe Cup being in the balance."

Anton Lienert-Brown - mini biography

Called into the All Blacks squad for the 2016 Investec Rugby Championship as an injury replacement, 21-year-old dynamic midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown has been rewarded for his consistent form for the Chiefs during the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season. Originally from Christchurch, Leinert-Brown shifted to Hamilton for rugby and study where his line-breaking, distribution and defensive strength impressed fans and selectors.  Made his provincial and Super Rugby debut in 2014.

All Blacks v Australia - key facts

* When he takes the field this weekend, Wyatt Crockett will not only play his 50th Test, but also his 300th first-class match.  Crockett also holds a unique world record: he has played in 38 consecutive Test matches without defeat.  The last loss he experienced in an All Blacks jersey was the All Blacks 2012 loss to England
* Julian Savea scored his 40th try last weekend and is thus on 200 points for the All Blacks.  Aaron Cruden is sitting on 299 points for the All Blacks.
* Beauden Barrett finished last weekend's Test match with 199 points for the All Blacks. He has also scored six tries in his last six Tests.
* All Blacks Captain Kieran Read has won his first 13 Tests as captain. All Blacks legend Sir Brian Lochore holds the world record of winning his first 14 Tests.
* The All Blacks have scored 1,885 tries to date in their history and will be the first side to score 1,900 Test tries.  France are second on 1,683 tries.

The Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. All Blacks 42 Australia 8, Saturday 20 August, ANZ Stadium, SYDNEY
2. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 27 August, 7.35PM, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 10 September, 7.35PM, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 17 September, 7.35PM, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 1 October, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 8 October, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

The All Blacks side to play the opening Bledisloe Cup match in the Investec Rugby Championship at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Saturday 20 August has been named, with replacement prop Kane Hames named on the bench.

The matchday 23 is (with Test caps in brackets.  New All Blacks in bold):

1. Wyatt Crockett (48)
2.  Nathan Harris (4)
3.  Owen Franks (80)
4.  Brodie Retallick (50)
5.  Samuel Whitelock (75)
6.  Jerome Kaino (69)
7.  Sam Cane (34)
8.  Kieran Read - captain (87)
9.  Aaron Smith (50)
10.  Beauden Barrett (39)
11.  Waisake Naholo (6)
12.  Ryan Crotty (18)
13.  Malakai Fekitoa (15)
14.  Ben Smith (51)
15.  Israel Dagg (51)

16.  Codie Taylor (5)
17.  Kane Hames
18.  Charlie Faumuina (36)
19.  Liam Squire (1)
20. Ardie Savea (2)
21.  TJ Perenara (19)
22.  Aaron Cruden (39) 
23.  Julian Savea (43)

27-year-old Tasman and Chiefs prop Kane Hames came into the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement for Joe Moody and will become the sixth new All Black of 2016 and All Black number 1152 if he takes the field, as expected, off the bench on Saturday.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "The selectors are very happy with the 23 selected for this Test match and we're looking forward to seeing them play.  This Test match will be another stepping stone in the re-establishment of this group on the international stage and we know that Australia will throw everything at us, which is what Test rugby is all about. With more than 800 Test caps of experience in our matchday 23, I'm confident we have the experience to deal with the challenge."

Hansen added: "This week has been about getting our preparation and attitude dead right and, therefore, there's an expectation that this group will bring real intensity and physicality and a high level of skill execution come Saturday.

"We're all really excited about this first Investec Rugby Championship Test match. It's against one of our most respected rivals and the Championship itself is one of the best competitions in the world.  It produces an exciting brand of rugby and world-class players, which both teams have.

"We're also playing for the Bledisloe Cup, which after the Rugby World Cup, is probably the most important trophy we play for.  Both teams will be desperate to get their hands on it which will create added pressure. It's about embracing that pressure and taking it on.  Our attitude has always been - and still is - that we don't hold the Bledisloe Cup by right; we have to go out and earn the right to take it. As a group we're really looking forward to this challenge on Saturday."

All Blacks v Australia - notable facts

* The All Blacks matchday 23 for the opening Investec Rugby Championship Test packs 822 caps worth of experience.
* The All Blacks and Australia have played each other 155 times, with 106 wins to the All Blacks and 42 to Australia, with seven draws.
* Jerome Kaino will play his 70th Test match on Saturday.  He is the most capped blindside flanker of all time.
* The All Blacks head in to the opening Bledisloe Cup Test on the back of a three-nil Steinlager Series win over Wales in June.
* The All Blacks have held The Bledisloe Cup since 2003.

The Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 20 August, 8.05PM, ANZ Stadium,
SYDNEY
2. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 27 August, 7.35PM, Westpac Stadium,
WELLINGTON
3. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 10 September, 7.35PM, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 17 September, 7.35PM, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 1 October, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 8 October, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

The All Blacks selectors, Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox, have selected their squad for the 2016 Investec Rugby Championship.

The squad is as follows: (with province, Investec Super Rugby team and Test caps in brackets)

Forwards:

Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington / Hurricanes, 39)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury / Crusaders, 5)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty / Chiefs, 4)

Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury / Crusaders, 48)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland / Blues, 36)
Owen Franks (Canterbury / Crusaders, 80)
Joe Moody (Canterbury / Crusaders, 14)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland / Blues, 1)

Locks
Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay / Chiefs, 50)
Luke Romano (Canterbury / Crusaders, 24)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland / Blues, 9)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury / Crusaders, 75)

Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty / Chiefs, 34)
Elliot Dixon (Southland / Highlanders, 1)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland / Blues, 69)
Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury / Crusaders, 87)
Ardie Savea (Wellington / Hurricanes, 2)
Liam Squire (Tasman / Highlanders, 1)

Backs:

Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato / Chiefs, 21)
TJ Perenara (Wellington / Hurricanes, 19)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu / Highlanders, 50)

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki / Hurricanes, 39)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu / Chiefs, 39)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland / Highlanders, 2)

Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury / Crusaders, 18)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland / Highlanders, 15)
George Moala (Auckland / Blues, 2)
Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau / Chiefs, 33)

Outside backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay / Crusaders, 51)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki / Highlanders, 6)
Julian Savea (Wellington/ Hurricanes, 43)
Ben Smith (Otago / Highlanders, 51)

Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder and Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai weren't considered for selection due to injury.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said he and his fellow selectors were very happy with the squad and combinations they had come up with.

"The form of the players in Investec Super Rugby has been outstanding and, whilst there is not a lot of change from the Steinlager Series squad, it was still a challenging team to select.  It was more a case of who do we leave out, rather than who do we pick.

"We're confident that we've picked the right players for the Championship, with some proven combinations and some Test experience being balanced out by the need to continue to grow the newer players in our environment."

Hansen said the number one goal for the All Blacks, clearly, was to win the Investec Rugby Championship but there were also secondary goals supporting that.

"One is to re-establish our team, from a leadership and playing point of view.  The second goal is to grow the understanding and confidence of our newer players, both on and off the track; and thirdly, we want to play a standard of rugby that we can all be proud of and excited by," he said.

"The quality of the opposition we'll face during the Investec Rugby Championship will require a growth in our physicality, intensity and the standard of our preparation. How well we do that will be reflected in our results.  It's going to be a very competitive Championship, which we're all really looking forward to.

"By the end of the tournament, we'd expect to have a greater understanding of where the 32 individual players are at, and their ability to cope and perform at Test level."

The makeup of the squad, which will again be captained by number eight Kieran Read, sees 18 forwards selected (three hookers, five props, four locks and six loose forwards) and 14 backs (three halfbacks, three first five-eighths, four midfielders and four outside backs) and has a total of 968 Test caps experience.

The squad is made up of five Blues players, six Chiefs, five Hurricanes, nine Crusaders and seven Highlanders while 12 of New Zealand's provinces are represented, with eight Canterbury players, six from Auckland, four from Wellington, two each from Southland, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty, and one player each from Counties Manukau, Waikato, Tasman and Otago.

The All Blacks squad will assemble on Thursday this week for a two-day camp on Auckland's North Shore minus the five Hurricanes who are preparing for this weekend's Investec Super Rugby Final.  Five additional players will also attend the camp: Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu and their fellow Chiefs back Anton Lienert-Brown as well as Blues loose forward Steven Luatua, Blues outside back Melani Nanai and Crusaders loose forward Matt Todd.

Following this week's camp, the All Blacks will re-assemble in Auckland next Thursday 11 August to prepare for the opening Test of the Investec Rugby Championship, the Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Sydney on Saturday 20 August. The squad will play training matches against Counties Manukau and Northland in the "Game of Three Halves" event at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe on Friday 12 August before heading to Sydney on Sunday 14 August.

The Investec Rugby Championship - All Blacks Tests

1. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 20 August, 8.05PM, ANZ Stadium, SYDNEY
2. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 27 August, 7.35PM, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 10 September, 7.35PM, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
4. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 17 September, 7.35PM, AMI Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
5. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 1 October, 7.10PM, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, BUENOS AIRES
6. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 8 October, 5.05PM, Growthpoint Kings Park, DURBAN

All Blacks and The Investec Rugby Championship - The Highlights

* The All Blacks head in to the Investec Rugby Championship on the back of a three-nil Steinlager Series win over Wales in June.

* The All Blacks won The Rugby Championship in 2012 - 2014, have held The Bledisloe Cup (played between New Zealand and Australia) since 2003 and The Freedom Cup (played between New Zealand and South Africa) since 2010.

New Zealand Rugby has tonight congratulated All Blacks captain Richie McCaw on becoming the most capped rugby player in history.

McCaw’s historic milestone was achieved as he captained the All Blacks to a 41-13 Bledisloe Cup victory against the Wallabies at Eden Park tonight.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen presented McCaw with a specially embroidered All Blacks jersey to commemorate the historic occasion.

NZR Board Chairman Brent Impey said: “the achievement of 142 Tests in the modern international game is an incredible accomplishment and it is a great honour for the game in New Zealand that our most successful All Blacks captain is now the most capped player of all time. That this record breaking feat occurred on New Zealand soil is particularly special and something we should all be proud of.”

NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew said “to surpass the benchmark of the longest serving and best rugby player at the international level and go past the record held by Brian O’Driscoll is a very significant achievement, and I can’t think of anyone more fitting to get to that milestone than Richie McCaw.

“The vast majority of the 142 Tests he has started and played 80 minutes, always giving 100 per cent and with a winning record that is almost unbelievable. He is quite appropriately now the most capped international player of all time and we celebrate that achievement with him.

“Since his debut in 2001 he has led by example, every minute of every day, both on and off the field. He is a great inspiration for others and we’re fortunate that he still has much more to give and we are all looking forward to the contribution he will make for the rest of the year and whatever else he finally decides.

“Let’s enjoy this moment. He is the most capped Test rugby player of all time and to have an All Black Captain in that position is great for all of us, and most importantly great for him, his family and the people who have been around him all that time.”