Sonny Bill Williams and Dan Carter rested by New Zealand ahead of August Bledisloe clash in Sydney

SONNY Bill Williams and Dan Carter have been given a fortnight’s rest to freshen up for the Wallabies in Sydney on August 8.

All Black stars rested for Wallabies

SONNY Bill Williams and Dan Carter have been given a fortnight’s rest to freshen up for the Wallabies in Sydney on August 8, magnifying the task for Australia to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup.

Williams and Carter would be guaranteed starters for any other team playing the world No.2 Springboks, but New Zealand’s extraordinary depth has allowed them to rest the two midfielders from their South African trip in preparation for Australia in back-to-back Bledisloe clashes next month.

The star duo were left out of the All Blacks’ 31-man touring squad to Johannesburg, where the world champions will face the Boks next weekend in the only encounter between the top two sides prior to the World Cup.

But the Kiwis have suffered a major blow, with rookie winger Waisake Naholo suffering a broken leg in his Test debut, ruling him out of the World Cup.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said his touring squad selections were based on three criteria.

“Firstly, we have picked experienced players who are well aware of the challenge of playing South Africa at home,” Hansen said.

“Secondly, we want to give some other players the opportunity to see how they cope under the extreme pressure of playing South Africa; and thirdly, we took into consideration the fact that some players in the squad could do with having a break for various reasons, so they will be staying home to freshen up.”

After their brilliant displays against Argentina last Friday in the opening match of The Rugby Championship, it can be safely assumed both Williams and Carter fall into the third category.

Williams had been under some pressure heading into the Pumas Test in Christchurch, struggling in 2015 to consistently reach the excellence he showed prior to his move back to rugby league two years ago.

New Zealand’s Dan Carter passes the ball as he is tackled during the match against Argentina.

A sub-par showing in the previous weekend’s hard-fought win over Samoa by Williams had some questioning his chances of making New Zealand’s World Cup squad.

But in typically stoic fashion, Williams rediscovered some trademark form against Argentina, causing havoc in attack with his sublime one-handed offloads and slick passing, while pulling off an early contender for hit of the tournament in defence.

Carter was composed at five-eighth and is the firm favourite to wear the No.10 jersey at the World Cup, with contenders Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga travelling to South Africa to potentially stake their claims.

While the All Blacks were largely dominant in their bonus point 39-18 victory, Argentina scored two tries that will worry Australia ahead of their match in Mendoza next weekend.

The Pumas used the rolling maul to great effect in the second half, powering through the Kiwis to allow skipper Agustin Creevy to score a double in six minutes.

Sonny Bill Williams (left) of New Zealand is tackled by Argentina’s Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias.

Creevy’s tries in the 55th and 61st minutes showed how difficult it is to stop the precise Argentinian rolling maul from close range, and they will certainly look to duplicate the results against the Wallabies.

Argentina physically battered Australia last year in Mendoza to pull off a shock win, their first ever in The Rugby Championship.

Another area the Wallabies will need to be wary of against the Pumas is the breakdown; Argentina won six turnovers against the All Blacks.

New Zealand’s travelling squad to South Africa

Hookers: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu and Codie Taylor

Props: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala and Tony Woodcock

Locks: James Broadhurst, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano and Samuel Whitelock

Loose forwards: Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Kieran Read and Victor Vito

Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith

First five–eighths: Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga

Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith

Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea and Ben Smith

Originally published as Sonny Bill Williams and Dan Carter rested by New Zealand ahead of August Bledisloe clash in Sydney