All Blacks coach puts faith in Slade

Knockout rugby is exactly that, and every team playing in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals is aware of the consequences, perhaps none more so than Argentina, who must face New Zealand at Eden Park on Sunday.

While the Pumas know playing the All Blacks in front of a home crowd will be tough, wing Horacio Agulla is excited by the prospect.

"It's a big challenge for us playing against the best team in the world,” he said. "It's going to be a massive game and a dream to play in New Zealand at the World Cup against New Zealand.”

With memories of exiting the tournament at this stage four years ago, the All Blacks are also keenly aware of what is at stake and for assistant coach Steve Hansen, no Test match this season has come close in terms of importance.

"It'll be the biggest Test of the year,” he said. “Because it's the next one and if we don't win it we go home."

Coach Graham Henry has put his faith in Colin Slade following Daniel Carter’s exit from the tournament through injury, naming the young fly half in his starting side, one of six changes made to the New Zealand side that beat Canada in Wellington a week ago.

“It's a big ask for him, but I think he's getting more comfortable,” Henry said. “I think he'll play well."

Muliaina's 100th Test

"If you walk in the company of people who believe in you, you can achieve anything,” assistant coach Wayne Smith added."He's got all the tools to make a go of it and he's got the belief and encouragement from the squad."

Mils Muliaina will play his 100th Test in an All Blacks jersey at full back while Keven Mealamu, Brad Thorn, Richie McCaw and Piri Weepu replace Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Victor Vito and Jimmy Cowan, who all move to the bench.

Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane replace Zac Guildford (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh haematoma), while Aaron Cruden, who was called into the All Blacks squad this week following Carter’s exit, is on the bench.

After a few impressive displays on the wing coming off the bench during the pool stages, Sonny Bill Williams will start out wide for the first time at Eden Park on Sunday. Despite his inexperience in the position, coach Henry believes his new wing shouldn’t be underestimated under the high ball.

"He hasn't dropped one yet as far as I know and he's had a few,” he said. "He catches them and everybody starts to wonder what he's going to do next, so maybe they won't kick it to him. He might embarrass them."

Argentina have made just four changes to their side that beat Georgia last week with Rodrigo Roncero, Manuel Carizza, Gonzalo Camacho and Martín Rodríguez returning to the starting XV at the expense of Marcos Ayerza, Mariano Galarza, Juan José Imhoff and Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

Points record

Pumas' captain Felipe Contepomi has the Argentina points record in sight, needing to score just five to overtake Hugo Porta's total of 590 international points in his career. Contepomi can also break Argentina's Rugby World Cup record for points scored if he manages 13 points against the All Blacks.

The two sides last met five years ago in Buenos Aires, with New Zealand winning 25-19. Despite the lack of recent experience against the Pumas, the All Blacks are confident they know what to expect, particularly up front.

"They're tough physically,” assistant coach Wayne Smith said. “They take a lot of pride from their pack. They've got a very good defensive system. They don't over-commit there, they've always got players on their feet available.

"They're going to be a physical test, they're going to be a tactical test, because they're very smart."

But while much is made of Argentina’s powerful play in the forwards, the New Zealand backs are also preparing to be challenged in the air.

"There'll be a fair bit of kicking,” wing Cory Jane said. “They like to put up a few bombs so we've got to make sure that us wingers or full backs have got to be on the job.

Puma patience

“They like the grind out, putting our position under pressure." For the Pumas, grinding out the game will be the key to defeating New Zealand.

"Being patient is the trick,” wing Gonzalo Camacho said. “We have to play the 80 minutes and see what happens.

"We have to respect our system and play our best in attack and be in control of our defence."

"You cannot give them 10 minutes, otherwise they can score five tries over you," added Agulla. "We have to be smart and play with our heart and lots of passion.

"We have to be 100 per cent focused. We have to trust in ourselves and each other."