Bay of Plenty hooker Nathan Harris will make his All Blacks debut off the bench against Argentina in the red-hot atmosphere of La Plata, Buenos Aries on Sunday morning.
Harris, 22, replaces Dane Coles, who has flown home to be at the birth of his first child. There is every chance that Te Puke born-and-bred Harris will be in the team to play the Springboks in Johannesburg next weekend, meaning the rookie rake will start his international rugby career against two of the toughest packs in world rugby.
North Harbour captain Bryn Hall, who captained Harris in the New Zealand under-20s at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship, described him as a true professional.
Hall says he first played against Harris for St Peter's College against Tauranga Boys' College First XV and has the utmost respect for him.
"He was always a chirpy, confident player, with great leadership skills both technically and tactically," Hall said. "The experience I had with him in the New Zealand under-20s, I can only say positive words about him, both on and off the field. He is a real professional off the field.