Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half for the first time for New Zealand in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina at Napier’s McLean Park.
Selectors decided not to risk further injury to Aaron Cruden after he went off with a chest problem in last month’s 51-20 win over Australia.
“Aaron could have played but the selectors weren’t prepared to take the risk,” said head coach Steve Hansen.
Barrett has made two previous starts, both at full-back, in a 21-Test career.
2014 Rugby Championship
16 August: Australia 12-12 New Zealand, South Africa 13-6 Argentina
13 September: New Zealand v South Africa, Australia v Argentina
23 August: New Zealand 51-20 Australia, Argentina 31-33 South Africa
27 September: South Africa v Australia, Argentina v New Zealand
6 September: New Zealand v Argentina, Australia v South Africa
4 October: South Africa v New Zealand, Argentina v Australia
Hansen has made two other changes to the side from the Eden Park demolition of the Wallabies.
Israel Dagg comes in at full-back and Ben Smith will shift to right wing to accommodate Dagg, with Cory Jane dropping out of the matchday squad.
Argentina make two personnel changes from their 33-31 defeat by South Africa on 23 August, with Leonardo Senatore replacing flanker Pablo Matera, who suffered a partial shoulder dislocation in Salta, while winger Horacio Agulla comes in for Manuel Montero.
Senatore’s inclusion at number eight forces a back-row reshuffle, with Juan Manuel Leguizamon moving to open-side flanker and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe switching to the blind-side.
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino moves to the left wing to accommodate Agulla.
New Zealand: Dagg; B Smith, C Smith, Nonu, Savea; Barrett, A Smith; Crockett, Coles, Franks; Retallick, Whitelock, Messam; McCaw (capt), Read. Replacements: Mealamu, Franks, Moody, Thrush, Cane, Perenara, Slade, Fekitoa.
Argentina: Tuculet; Agulla, Bosch, Martin Hernandez, Amorosino; Sanchez, Landajo; Ayerza, Creevy, Herrera; Galarza, Lavanini; Fernandez Lobbe, Leguizamon, Senatore.
Replacements: Cortese, Noguera Paz, Chaparro, Alemanno, Baez, Cubelli, Gonzalez Iglesias, Imhoff.
