Four Hurricanes players have been named by the All Blacks to face Argentina in their opening match of the 2025 Rugby Championship.
Du'Plessis Kirifi, Jordie Barrett, and Billy Proctor have all been named to start, while Pasilio Tosi is set to appear off the bench at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba on Sunday morning NZT.
Barrett, an All Blacks vice-captain, and Proctor will reinstate their midfield partnership after starting the first two tests of last month's July series against France, with Barrett featuring as a reserve in the third test.
All up, it will be the third time the Hurricanes duo have partnered together as All Blacks midfielders. At Super Rugby level, they have started alongside each other as midfielders on 23 occasions since 2022.
In the forward pack, Kirifi retains the No 7 jersey after starting the final test of the French series in Hamilton, where he scored his first try for the All Blacks. This weekend's test will be his fourth consecutive international appearance since making his test debut against France in Dunedin last month.
Tosi, meanwhile, will play his 10th test as an All Black from the bench in what will be his first outing for the national side since the second test of the French series.
Sunday's clash against Los Pumas presents Kirifi, Proctor, and Tosi with their first opportunities to play Argentina at test level.
It will also be the first time Barrett has played in Argentina since the All Blacks defeated Los Pumas 41-12 in Mendoza during the 2023 Rugby Championship, and the first time Kirifi and Proctor have returned to play in Argentina since the Hurricanes beat the Jaguares 26-23 in Buenos Aires during the pre-Covid edition of Super Rugby in 2020.
The test will be the opening match of the Rugby Championship for both the All Blacks and Los Pumas, with the All Blacks setting out to reclaim the title after the Springboks broke their three-year winning streak last season.
“We've had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform,” All Blacks head coach Scott 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.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 9:10am Sunday NZT, and will be available to watch live on Sky Sport.
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