New Zealand hunt for true identity in Rugby Championship

An evolving New Zealand squad will be under pressure to challenge South Africa for Rugby Championship silverware amid growing impatience with progress under Scott Robertson.

After dominating the southern hemisphere tournament from 2021-23, the All Blacks surrendered last year's title to the Springboks in Robertson's first season in charge.

Two losses to South Africa and a home defeat by Argentina showed the New Zealanders struggling to move on from a post-World Cup exodus of senior players.

The All Blacks have since won seven out of eight tests, including a 3-0 whitewash in the home series against a depleted France in July.

However, home media remain sceptical about their regeneration mid-way through the World Cup cycle.

"I think it’s a team that's really trying to find our identity this year," prop Fletcher Newell told New Zealand media in Cordoba.

"I feel like we showed glimpses of it against France but we want to build on those areas.

"We want to play fast and to be really strong in our set piece, and pride ourselves in those areas."

The All Blacks may be glad to start their Rugby Championship campaign with a two-test tour of Argentina where they have never been beaten by the hosts - despite losing to them at home and in Australia in recent years.

They will hope to build momentum before a pair of all-important home tests against Rassie Erasmus's Springboks in Auckland and Wellington next month.

While Erasmus is eager to build depth to reinforce an ageing Springboks squad before their World Cup title defence, Robertson has tinkered at the edges of his roster while keeping the core intact.

He unveiled a couple of tactical shifts against the French, shifting centre Rieko Ioane to the wing to make way for Billy Proctor while moving