Match preview | All Blacks v France

Played: 63

Won: All Blacks 48, France 14, Drawn 1

Last time: All Blacks 13, France 27 (8 September 2023 – Rugby World Cup)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

CH, CH, CHANGES

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.

FRESH FOCUS

Halfback Cam Roigard noted that after two demanding Test matches against England and Ireland, the team's challenge now is to reset and refocus. 'France plays a little differently from Ireland, with some superstars who can create something from nothing. The key for us is to be aware of that difference while building on the momentum we've gained so far.' Roigard also expressed his excitement about the prospect of facing France's world-class halfback, Antoine Dupont. 'It's exciting—he has an incredible skill set and the ability to change a game. He can create line breaks out of nowhere or position his team in crucial areas to secure the win. Playing against the best will be an exciting opportunity,' said Roigard.

RAZOR'S WORD

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said that despite playing changes, France's strengths remained the same. "They like to play down your end of the field, and once they get rolling and offloading and go through you, they're very hard to stop. "They are a very instinctive team. They've got a balance of French flair and high discipline, and some stars that can punish you with their feet. We're aware of all their strengths."

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

All Blacks Vice Captain Ardie Savea shared the team's awareness of their heritage and the connection with Armistice Day, Dave Gallaher, and the centennial of the Invincibles. "We've acknowledged that, and among those men, as well as men before them, there were All Blacks who fought in World War One and died in war. We've touched on that and how special it is to honor them and their families. "They gave the greatest sacrifice to come over and fight for freedom. We get to honor them by playing the game that our nation loves with a poppy on our shoulder and acknowledge them, because what they did was a lot greater than throwing around a rugby ball."

DAVE GALLAHER TROPHY

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. “It has been special to be here in Paris during Armistice Day. We have honored 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.”

New Zealand (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)  

Reserves: 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)

France

1. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Tevita Tatafu, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. Paul Boudehent, 7. Alexandre Roumat, 8. Grégory Alldritt, 9. Antoine Dupont (captain), 10. Thomas Ramos, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12. Yoram Moefana, 13. Gaël Fickou, 14. Gabin Villière, 15. Romain Buros.

Reserves: 16. Julien Marchand, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Georges-Henri Colombe, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Mickaël Guillard, 21. Charles Ollivon, 22. Nolann Le Garrec, 23. Émilien Gailleton.