After the big victory against Japan (52-12), the French XV will undergo a real test. Saturday evening, the All Blacks arrive, with two successes in Ireland and England. And for this meeting, the Blues staff should make some changes, forced or desired.
Three potential starters, François Cros, Damian Penaud and Uini Atonio are already out for the match against the All Blacks. Left with a concussion at half-time, the Toulouse third row cannot apply. Just like the Bordeaux winger, already out against Japan and still ill, who returned to Bordeaux and will be absent for the rest of the tour.
Right pillar Uini Atonio is injured in the calf, and “should only return to competition next week”, according to William Servat, co-trainer of the conquest and specific tasks. Affected in the iliac crest, Thibault Flament trained separately this Tuesday afternoon but will apply on Saturday evening.
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Gabin Villière aligned on the wing
These absences inevitably make people happy. Prop Tevita Tatafu will experience his second consecutive selection, this time with a real test against the New Zealand front row.
Author of a superb entry against Japan, Paul Boudehent will start on the third row, and Gabin Villière on the wing. The Toulon winger takes advantage of the absences of Penaud and Attissogbe to find a starting place in the Blues for the first time since the match against Uruguay at the 2023 World Cup.
Returning executives
Last Saturday, against Japan, Gaël Fickou sat on the bench, Charles Ollivon in the stands. In four days, against the All Blacks, they should both be in the group of 23.
Feedback which can be explained by a need for common experience desired by the Blues staff. Last Thursday, at a press conference, Fabien Galthié hinted at it half-heartedly: “Facing the Blacks, we will try to structure a team with the best potential, without putting it in difficulty on certain points which are essential at this level – there.” The return of defense captain Gaël Fickou and his 91 selections in the center of the field goes in this direction, and pushes Emilien Gailleton to the bench.
A bench with a priori only six forwards and two three-quarters, to compete with the power of New Zealand. A formation which could push Matthieu Jalibert out of the 23, preferring a more versatile player like Gailleton. Antoine Dupont would then act as opener in the event of a problem for Thomas Ramos.
The choice Romain Buros
More surprisingly, at the back, Fabien Galthié chose something new. And will reward Romain Buros, performing well with Union Bordeaux Bègles for several months. We expected a sixth consecutive start for Léo Barré, rather convincing against Japan, but it was the Bordelais who occupied the back of the field within the team of “white chasubles”, expected to start, this afternoon at Marcoussis.
Four new players should therefore join the starting XV on Saturday, including three from the back line: Gaël Fickou, Gabin Villière and Romain Buros.
The probable French XV against the All Blacks: Buros – Villière, Moefana, Fickou, Bielle-Biarrey – Ramos, Dupont – Roumat, Aldritt, Boudehent – Meafou, Flament – Tatafu, Mauvaka, Gros.
