Team Naming Thursday - All Blacks Edition

Photo courtesy of Zimbio.com

This morning, NZT the All Blacks side was named to face the mighty Puma's this weekend in La Plata. As expected a fairly standard lineup was rolled out by Shag and his fellow coaching staff to solidify top spot on the Rugby Championship ladder. 

Aaron Cruden returns to the lineup after his knee injury sustained in the opening game of the Rugby Championship in Sydney, this sees Beauden Barrett drop back to the bench.

Sam Cane continues in the number 7 jersey, with Richie McCaw not expected back until next weekend against the Springboks.

Kieran Read has been declared fit after an injury niggle threatened to throw a spanner into the works, however as a precaution Tanerau Latimer is as I write this on a plane winging his way to Buenos Aries as a back up.

All Blacks

1. Tony Woodcock

2. Andrew Hore

3. Owen Franks

4. Brodie Retallick

5. Sam Whitelock

6. Liam Messam

7. Sam Cane

8. Kieran Read (Capt)

9. Aaron Smith

10. Aaron Cruden

11. Julian Savea

12. Ma'a Nonu

13. Conrad Smith

14. Ben Smith

15. Israel Dagg

Reserves

16. Keven Melamu

17. Wyatt Crockett

18. Charlie Faumuina

19. Jeremy Thrush

20. Steven Luatua

21. TKB

22. Beauden Barrett

23. Charles Pituau