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Veterans return for All Blacks as team to play France named
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks have named their team to face France with veterans Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett returning after missing the Ireland Test under return to play protocols.
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Both veterans resume their starting roles at hooker and first five-eighth, with Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie moving to the bench.
Robertson has also opted for a back row re-shuffle with regular openside Sam Cane injured. Ardie Savea will start in the No 7 jersey for the first time this year, with Wallace Sititi moving to No 8 and Samipeni Finau getting a start at blindside. Hurricanes flanker Peter Lakai has been named as the loose forward reserve.
In another switch, halfback Cam Roigard will wear the No 9 jersey for the first time this year to partner Barrett in the halves with Cortez Ratima moving to the finishing role on the reserves.
Sevu Reece comes back into the side to replace Mark Tele’a who has been ruled out with a hand injury.
“It has been special to be here in Paris during Armistice Day,” Robertson said.
“We have honoured those commemorations as a team and also acknowledged the significance of the Dave Gallaher Trophy, named after one of our greatest All Black Captains who led the ‘Originals’ in the first ever Test match against France, and lost his life 11 years later in World War I.
“This is a trophy we would love to hold, and the players are prepared to take their opportunity in Paris this Saturday night.”
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All Blacks team to face France:
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Ardie Savea
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cam Roigard
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Peter Lakai
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Damian McKenzie
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
This is our strongest team of the year. Its taken to the Euro tour but we have a impactful bench that can bring the game home
Thats the best NZ team right there (barring injuries).
Dmac off the bench makes sense. BB to kick the ball around a bit to (hopefully) tire out those big French forwards.
But we also know the French just lurv a good kick fest. So it could be boring for a bit. Interspersed with some ridiculous tries from either side.
Dupont, who starts this game provisionally rated 9/10 by the Rugbypass people, is going to need attention.
My heart says NZ but my bum says France. Hopefully I’m wrong. And/or it’s tight.
The game. Not my bum. My bum is tight.
Hope BB can handle the rush defense
Ratima didn't have a great game Vs Ireland, Roigard deserves the start, but I'm really glad Ratima stays in the 23 rather than going for TJ.
In Ratima's defence he didn't get much protection from his forwards. Also the Irish forwards spent a considerable amount of time on the NZ side of the ruck. Fair play if you get away with it. By the time Roigard was on the pitch the ref was wise to the Irish cynical play.
Good looking powerful team who are very capable of beating the French. If they 'click' it should be very entertaining.
I think this will be the most talked about game of the year.
Great selections.
Still no de Groot but that's what happens when you give a sucker a break.
And good luck to Finau, the #6 is his for the taking if he can show power, physicality & a solid tackle technique that keeps him card free. Being a tall, big, guy, who hits hard, he needs to be careful.
Hopefully, this is the game where the ABs get that complete performance that we all know is within reach.