All Blacks deploy big guns

The All Blacks have named a full-strength side for their World Cup opener against Argentina at Wembley on Sunday.

The team has an average age of 28 and features 1 013 Test caps in the starting XV and a further 316 caps on the bench.

Richie McCaw leads a powerful pack, with Dane Coles the least experienced player despite having featured in 30 Tests.

In the backline, Aaron Smith and Dan Carter combine as the first-choice 9-10 pairing, with relative newcomer Nehe Milner-Skudder on the right wing.

The 11 All Blacks set to make their first World Cup appearances are Ben Smith, Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett.

All Blacks – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

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