All Blacks team named to play France in Paris

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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.

LIVE on Sky Sport – Sunday 17 November:  All Blacks vs France, 9.10AM (NZST). Highlights available on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube. 

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) 

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. 

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

MATCH FACTS 

  • France are the current Dave Gallaher Trophy holders, having won the last challenge match 40-25 at Stade de France in 2021.  
  • The All Blacks have played 63 Tests against France since 1906 for a record of 48 wins, 14 losses and one draw.  
  • France won the last Test between the two teams 23-11 in Paris during pool play at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.  
  • Stade de France has hosted nine Tests between the All Blacks and France. The All Blacks record against France at the venue is six wins, two losses and a draw.  
  • The All Blacks also played three Tests at the venue during the 2023 RWC including their quarter final win over Ireland and the 11-12 loss in the final to South Africa. 

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