All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson and his co-selectors, Assistant Coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison, have named their All Blacks team to play France at Stade de France, Paris.
Unavailable due to injury: Sam Cane (concussion), Mark Tele’a (hand), Sam Darry (knee), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali’i (upper hamstring).
There are five personnel changes to the starting fifteen this week, including the return of hooker Codie Taylor and first five-eighth Beauden Barrett following the successful completion of HIA assessment protocols. Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie will be ready to make an impact off the bench.
A head injury to Sam Cane in the Ireland match has resulted in a rejigged loose-forward trio: Samipeni Finau comes in at blindside, Ardie Savea shifts to openside and Wallace Sititi will play at number 8. Peter Lakai will provide loose-forward cover with the opportunity to notch up his second All Blacks cap.
Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima will again share the halfback duties, with Roigard in the starting jersey this week.
Sevu Reece returns to the right wing, with Mark Tele’a out due to a hand injury.
The winner of the Test will be awarded the Dave Gallaher Trophy, which All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said has provided plenty of inspiration for the team this week.
All Blacks match-day 23 (caps in brackets)
1. Tamaiti Williams (17)
2. Codie Taylor (93)
3. Tyrel Lomax (42)
4. Scott Barrett (78) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (36)
6. Samipeni Finau (7)
7. Ardie Savea (92) (Vice-Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (8)
9. Cam Roigard (8)
10. Beauden Barrett (132)
11. Caleb Clarke (27)
12. Jordie Barrett (67) (Vice-Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (79)
14. Sevu Reece (31)
15. Will Jordan (39)
16. Asafo Aumua (18)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (66)
18. Pasilio Tosi (6)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (49)
20. Peter Lakai (1)
21. Cortez Ratima (10)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (82)
23. Damian McKenzie (60)
