New Zealand coach Scott Robertson announced the composition of the All Blacks to challenge France this Saturday (9:10 p.m.). Beauden Barrett returns at fly-half while Damian McKenzie takes his place on the substitutes' bench. As announced this week, Sam Cane is absent.
This Thursday noon, the All Blacks coach announced the list of 23 players who will face the Blues at the Stade de France (Saturday 9:10 p.m.). Five changes have been made from the last match against Ireland. Unlike Fabien Galthié, Scott Robertson chose a bench with five forwards and three backs.
Hit in the face, Sam Cane's package had already been announced a little earlier in the week. “We will miss Cane’s leadership and experience” explained Wallace Sititi. Speaking of Sititi, impressive against the Irish last weekend, he is logically returned to the starting XV. The third line will therefore perfectly complement the power of a New Zealand pack which has reached a milestone in recent weeks. Among the forwards, the New Zealand coach made only two changes in this front eight. Finau enters the starting XV to compensate for the injury of Sam Cane. At the hooker position, Taylor will start while Aumua switches to the bench.
Change of hinge to face the XV of France
At the scrum half position, Ratima gives up his place. A bit below in the last two matches of this autumn tour (against England and Ireland), Scott Robertson preferred to start Roigard for this shock against the XV of France. The scrum half therefore makes his return to the starting XV, having not worn number 9 since the match against Japan (September 26). He will form the hinge with Beauden Barrett, recovered from his concussion against England. A change which therefore causes Damian McKenzie to slip.
New Zealand starting XV: 15. Jordan; 14. Reece, 13. R. John, 12. J. Barrett, 11. Clarke; 10. B. Barrett, 9. Roigard; 7. Savea, 8. Street, 6. Debate; 5. See, 4. S. Barrett ; 3. Lomax, 2. Taylor, 1. Williams.
Substitutes : 16. Aumua, 17. Tungfasi, 18. Tosi, 19. Tuipulotu, 20. Lakai, 21. Ratima, 22. Lienert-Brown, 23. McKenzie.
As a reminder, France and New Zealand face each other this Saturday, November 16 at 9:10 p.m.
France
Rugby
