CAPTION: Fabian Holland is among four uncapped players named in the All Blacks side to face France in Dunedin. PHOTO: John Cowpland / action press
All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their team to play France in the first match of the three-test Lipovitan-D July Series at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
LIVE on Sky Sport – Saturday 5 July: All Blacks vs France, 19:05PM (NZST). Highlights available on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube. All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant)
- Ethan de Groot (29)
- Codie Taylor (96)
- Fletcher Newell (22)
- Scott Barrett (80) (Captain)
- Fabian Holland *
- Tupou Vaa’i (38)
- Ardie Savea (94) (Vice-Captain)
- Christian Lio-Willie *
- Cam Roigard (10)
- Beauden Barrett (134)
- Rieko Ioane (81)
- Jordie Barrett (68) (Vice-Captain)
- Billy Proctor (2)
- Sevu Reece (32)
- Will Jordan (41)
- Samisoni Taukei’aho (30)
- Ollie Norris *
- Pasilio Tosi (7)
- Samipeni Finau (8 )
- Du’Plessis Kirifi *
- Cortez Ratima (11)
- Quinn Tupaea (14)
- Damian McKenzie (61)
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone)
Four players are set to make their All Blacks debut in Dunedin – lock Fabian Holland and loose forward Christian Lio-Willie are named in a strong starting fifteen, while prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi will prepare to debut off the bench.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the uncapped players have worked hard to get to this point and are ready to step into the test arena.
“This is a huge moment for these men and their families; we are all thrilled for them. For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian’s Highlanders supporters and Christian’s Otago fans will be out in full force. Ollie and Du’Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready.”
An experienced front row of local hero Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell will face the French pack, with recalled All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and 7-test prop Pasilio Tosi in the reserves. Captain Scott Barrett pairs with Holland at lock and Samipeni Finau prepares to make an impact off the bench.
Tupou Vaa’i will start at blindside flanker, a position he has occasionally played for the All Blacks and Chiefs. Vice-Captain Ardie Savea will wear the No.7 jersey and Kirifi will provide loose forward cover.
Cam Roigard and Beauden Barrett start and 9 and 10 respectively, with Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie set for impact roles.
Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor will combine in the midfield, with Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan in the back three, and test recall Quinn Tupaea providing cover.
“Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we have had a fantastic ten days together, preparing for the three-test series ahead of us. We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd,” Robertson said
MATCH FACTS
- The All Blacks and France will contest the Dave Gallaher Trophy, named after the 1905–06 All Black captain who was killed in Belgium during World War I.
- The All Blacks have won 48 tests against France’s 15, with one match drawn.
- After a sequence of 14 victories for New Zealand from 2009 to 2018, France has won the last 3 matches, 2021, 2023 and 2024, all at Stade de France.
- France has the greatest number of wins against the All Blacks of any Northern Hemisphere opponent.
- The test venue, Forsyth Barr Stadium, is the site of the last New Zealand win against France. The only prior test in Dunedin saw a French win 27-22, at Carisbrook in 2009, meaning both teams have won one and lost one in the city.
- Rieko Ioane is second for most all-time tries against France with 6, two behind Joe Rokocoko on 8.