New boys Tuitupou and Toeava told it's their turn to shout

Isaia Toeava (pictured) could be still overawed at his status says teammate Leon MacDonald. Ross Land / Getty Images

BUENOS AIRES - Leon MacDonald is talking up the new-look All Blacks back division - primarily because two of the most recent additions snugly fit the stereotype of rugby's strong, silent type.

The Canterbury fullback can also be relied upon to be vocal during New Zealand's one-off test with Argentina at Velez Sarsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Sunday as he helps shepherd Sam Tuitupou and Isaia Toeava through their initiation as a fledgling midfield combination.

The All BLacks team and bench to face the Pumas was confirmed this morning.

The raw Auckland duo, who fill the shoes of rested backline general Aaron Mauger and the retired Tana Umaga, are sure to be targeted by a Pumas side buoyed by their first series win (2-0) over Wales.

Yet far from focusing on their opposition, Tuitupou and Toeava are more absorbed in reaching their own understanding among a Crusaders-dominated backline spearheaded by Dan Carter.

The All Blacks premier pivot and MacDonald will be instrumental in smoothing the reintroduction of Tuitupou (six tests) and Toeava (one) to the test arena with MacDonald saying the key was bringing the pair into an ever-changing communication loop.

"There are two relatively quiet guys in the midfield with Isaia and Sam," MacDonald conceded after the backs were reacquainted at the Centro Naval club field yesterday.

"The challenge is to get everyone speaking like equals in the backline.

"We need everyone talking the whole time in terms of calls and [organising] defensive lines."

Acknowledging the 20-year-old Toeava, who is more at home in MacDonald's role of custodian, could understandably still be overawed at his status, MacDonald emphasised the inclusive nature of the current All Blacks environment.

"Isaia doesn't say a lot because he's new to it [the All Blacks], but we don't have a ranking system in the team - everyone contributes the same," he said.

MacDonald, eager to stake his claim for the initial 30-man Tri-Nations squad after sitting out the Irish series, was confident the new midfield was up to the task.

"At training it looks good," he said.

"Obviously Sam and Isaia haven't played there together in a game but we've got a lot of time to get the combination right."

The inclusion of the Crusaders back three of MacDonald, Rico Gear and Scott Hamilton, plus Carter's first test outing of 2006, should also be an insurance policy against any midfield jitters.

"There's a lot of familiarity [between the Crusaders]," MacDonald said.

"You look across and you've got your two mates next to you, that makes it a lot of more comfortable - we know how we work."

Hamilton missed the tail end of training yesterday before a small crowd of local observers, but a left ankle strain was not expected to compromise his chances of securing a first test cap.

The All Blacks return to the training paddock today before the squad is finalised with coach Graham Henry to name the reserves.

The tourists' advance party have already experienced the atmosphere at Velez Sarsfield - one of three major soccer venues in the Argentine capital - though last week's test between the Pumas and Wales may have been misleading.

Despite Argentina securing back-to-back wins over the Welsh, the atmosphere was almost funereal with a crowd of just 12,000 occupying the 50,000 seat arena.

The lack of intensity from Pumas supporters undid one aspect of the All Black's management's meticulous planning - the exposure of players to a typically raucous and antagonistic Argentine crowd.

On New Zealand's last visit in 2001, a passionate 70,000-strong throng was credited with pushing the hosts to the brink of a massive upset before a late Scott Robertson try enabled the All Blacks to escape with a 24-20 victory.

Management had hoped the Wales match would give the starting side a taste of what was in store but the crowd reaction was generally muted after an opening two-minute salvo.

"It wasn't a huge crowd but they still make a lot of noise, it was like a soccer crowd with the flags and the chants," said MacDonald, who said the test was still a worthwhile experience.

"We learned a lot about their style of play. We know they pride themselves on their forward play but the backs also played with a lot of width."

All Blacks:
Leon MacDonal, Rico Gear, Isaia Toeava, Sam Tuitupou, Scott Hamilton, Dan Carter , Piri Weepu, Mose Tuiali'i, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins (Captain), Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock

Reserves:
Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Troy Flavell, Craig Newby, Jimmy Cowan, Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF