Finlay Christie is in line for his first test match in 13 months after being named on the All Blacks reserves for Sunday's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Cordoba

He's been preferred to uncapped Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston on the bench to deputise for Cortez Ratima.

Captain Scott Barrett bolsters the second row after sitting out the final two tests against France with a calf injury and packs down alongside Fabian Holland, who starts his fourth straight test.

Tupou Vaa'i and Du'Plessis Kirifi start at blindside and openside respectively, while Billy Proctor is back at centre and Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece start on the wings.

The full team is - in the forwards De Groot, Taylor, Newell, Scott Barrett, Holland, Vaa'i, Kirifi, Savea.

The backs are Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Proctor, Reece, Jordan.

The reserves are Taukei'aho, Norris, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Finau, Christie, Lienert-Brown, McKenzie.

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