Contepomi: Calls for perfect performance

The bookies have given New Zealand a 27-point start on the Pumas and Contepomi admitted his men will be playing for pride first. He is barely considering the chance of an upset.

"Over 80 minutes we have to play the game and put up a performance we can be proud of," said the former Leinster fly-half, who is five points short of setting a new Argentina points record. "We have to try to do the perfect game and if we prepare our tactics well, then luck may go our way.

"We can make that luck for ourselves, but we are up against the best team in the world."

Exeter wing Gonzalo Camacho is one of four players recalled to the Pumas side to face the All Blacks, along with full-back Martin Rodriguez, lock Manuel Carizza and veteran prop Rodrigo Roncero.

With the exception of number eight Leonardo Senatore, who has taken over from the injured Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, it is the same Argentina team that started their victory over Scotland.

New Zealand have selected Contepomi's former Toulon team-mate Sonny Bill Williams on the wing.

Williams' handling skills are feared the world over but he is an unknown quantity on the wing, particularly under the high ball which is a tactic the Pumas are sure to use.

"Sonny Bill Williams is a great player, an outstanding player, wherever he starts on the pitch," said Contepomi.

"He will start on the wing but probably through the game he will be moving all around the pitch, that's the way he plays.

"He's unbelievably skilful, his individuality makes him one of the best players in the world.

"He might not be comfortable in that position but I am sure the team that he has got around him, and there is loads of experience around him, will make him feel comfortable."

New Zealand fly-half Colin Slade, meanwhile, is eager to make the most of his opportunity on the biggest stage of all in Auckland.

Slade has inherited the number 10 jersey following the tournament-ending groin injury to the All Blacks' inspirational playmaker Dan Carter.

Rather than be over-awed by the challenge of filling the void created by Carter's absence, Slade is determined to deliver at Eden Park.

He said: "It's an opportunity and it's one I've got to think positively about.

"I can't be any way burdened by it - I've got to be excited about it.

"It is an opportunity. I wasn't expecting it, I don't think anyone else was, either, but that's the way it's worked out.

"It's what every young fellow dreams of - to play in a World Cup, albeit through the disappointment of DC's injury."

Slade said he will do his best to relax and enjoy the occasion.

"I'm a young guy but I'm pretty enthusiastic about it and pretty excited about the opportunity," he said. "I'm going out there to be me - I'm not going out there to be DC.

"I'm going to play my game and lead the team the best way I know how.

"I want to go out there and assert myself from the start of the game.

"Sometimes things don't come off and you take a step back and breathe and relax.

"My job out there is to direct the team on the field and knowing that I'm going to start from the beginning of the game makes it a little bit easier to prepare for."

Slade will start outside scrum-half Piri Weepu and inside centre duo Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, with Mils Muliaina set to win his 100th Test cap at full-back.

The 23-year-old Highlanders fly-half has been boosted by the backing of his experienced colleagues.

He said: "It's been awesome. The guys have been supporting me all week, preparations have been good.

"With DC going down there's a loss of leadership there, but other guys have stepped up and will continue to do so.

"It's made me calm down, I suppose and made me realise that they are going to help me out to do what's best for the team."

Smith said he expected Slade to raise his game.

The 29-year-old centre, who is set to win his 53rd cap on Sunday, said: "Everyone trusts you've been picked by the selectors and that you've got the quality to handle pressure situations that come with being an All Black.

"Regardless of the position you don't need to help them. They'll step up.

"You've got to have faith in them and that way, if they're good enough, they'll return the favour.

"That's what Sladey's done and that's what countless players have done in the All Black jersey.

"You put trust in them and you put faith in them and they deliver and that's when the team really functions."

The All Blacks' match with the Pumas is set to reunite their first-choice back row for the first time since the Tri-Nations.

Captain Richie McCaw is set to return from a foot injury alongside number eight Kieran Read and blindside flanker Jerome Kaino.

Kaino said: "It's awesome to have the two boys back. Richie and Reado add a lot to the team and also to how my game's played.

"To have them back takes a lot of pressure off me to try and lead these locks around."