All Blacks have announced their lineup to play against France in the Rugby World Cup 2023 opener scheduled for Friday at 10:15 EAT.
In the backs, they have employed Beauden Barrett at fullback, flanked by wingers Will Jordan and Rieko Mark Telea on the wings.
The centre pairing consists of Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane while Richie Mo’Unga and Aaron Smith, are the halfback duo.
In the forwards, the back row features Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, and Dalton Papalai’i. Savea is at number eight while Cane is on the openside flank position while Papalai’i starts as the blindside flanker.
The locking combination has Scott Barrett and Samuel Whitelock.
In the front row, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, and Ethan de Groot have earned starts.
All Blacks squad
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’Unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Dalton Papalai’i, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaai’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 David Havili, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku
