Fit-again TJ Perenara starts at scrumhalf.
Loose forward Ardie Savea, who was born in Wellington, captains the All Blacks as regular skipper Scott Barrett is out with a finger injury.
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Prolific try-scorer Will Jordan was Thursday selected on the bench for New Zealand's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Wellington, while TJ Perenara starts at scrum-half on his return from injury.
Jordan, who can play wing or fullback, has scored 31 tries in as many Tests for the All Blacks, but a shoulder injury has kept the 26-year-old out of Test rugby since last year's World Cup final.