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Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 June, 2004, 07:20 GMT 08:20 UK
Tuiali'i to make NZ debut
Mose Tuiali'i
Number eight Mose Tuiali'i will make his All Blacks debut as one of 10 new starters against Argentina on Saturday.

With the Tri-Nations series against Australia and South Africa next month, coach Graham Henry is giving all his 26-man squad some match experience.

Henry has retained only Chris Jack in the pack that started against world champions England last weekend.

Fly-half Andrew Mehrtens, the All Blacks' highest scorer, is set to make his first start since December 2002.

There were times when I wondered whether I would ever make it back
Andrew Mehrtens
Mehrtens, who has scored 932 points for New Zealand, came on as a replacement in the 36-12 victory over England.

Only captain Tana Umaga, Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina and Nick Evans remain in the back line, while Byron Kelleher, Mehrtens and Sam Tuitupou start in place of Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer and Daniel Carter.

"There were times when I wondered whether I would ever make it back," Mehrtens said on Tuesday.

"I never doubted my ability and now that I've been given another chance, I've got to make sure I pay back those that have faith in me."

In the pack, open-side flanker Richie McCaw is back from injury and is joined up front by Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Jack, Simon Maling, Jerry Collins and Tuiali'i.

The reserves bench is possibly one of the strongest in recent All Blacks history with regular starters Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Spencer, Carter and Marshall all waiting in the wings.


New Zealand team: Nick Evans, Mils Muliaina, Tana Umaga (captain), Sam Tuitupou, Joe Rokocoko; Andrew Mehrtens, Byron Kelleher; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Simon Maling, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Mose Tuiali'i
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Dan Carter




SEE ALSO
New Zealand 36-12 England
19 Jun 04  |  Internationals
Henry delight at victory
19 Jun 04  |  Internationals
New Zealand v England photos
19 Jun 04  |  Photo Galleries


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