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All Blacks assistant coach hints Lakai will play ahead of Dupont challenge

(Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

The All Blacks have set their sights on France and their superstar captain Antoine Dupont as they prepare for a rematch in Stade de France in Paris this weekend.

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Both sides met on opening night of the Rugby World Cup at Stade de France where Dupont’s France got off to the best possible start with a 27-13 win.

Ultimately both nations were beaten by South Africa, France shocked in the quarter-finals while a 14-man All Blacks side put up a valiant effort in the final.

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Last time it was legend Aaron Smith donning the No 9 jersey, now two fresh faces will line up opposite Dupont for the first time. Cortez Ratima has started each Test on the tour with Cam Roigard closing out the game from the bench.

All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen said they can’t wait to get out there and face off against the “master” Dupont.

“They’ll be inspired to play against, essentially, the master on the weekend,” Hansen told reporters on Tuesday.

“He’s an absolute pleasure to watch. He’s out there, he loves the game, he plays with great passion, he’s obviously a great leader.

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“He’s a phenomenal player and one I’ve watched for many years and really enjoyed watching him.

“Many would say he’s one of the greatest already.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
2
Average Points scored
25
28
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
100%

Dupont has had a dream summer, first capturing a gold medal with the sevens team at the home Olympics, before a whirlwind US tour to rub shoulders with Hollywood’s most famous stars.

Hansen was in awe of Dupont’s reach and said the bigger his star shines can only be good for the game.

“You want to see superstars,” Hansen said.

“It’s what grows the game. It’s what makes young girls and boys want to play rugby and we want to see him play.”

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The All Blacks were dealt a blow following the victory against Ireland with Sam Cane ruled out with concussion and winger Tele’a suffering a hand injury.

Rookie lock Sam Darry also suffered an MCL injury, leading to three call ups from the All Blacks XV. Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Chay Fihaki have joined the side.

Fixture
Internationals
France
30 - 29
Full-time
New Zealand
All Stats and Data

Cane has quickly assumed the role of starting openside since returning to play against Argentina during the Rugby Championship.

Hansen hinted that Lakai now has the opportunity in Cane’s absence, however there is every possibility he plays from the bench with Savea moving to No 7 and Wallace Sititi moving to No 8 in a backrow re-shuffle.

“We know what Sam’s future looks like, but where he is currently, he’s done nothing but care, support and guide the young group,” Hansen said.

“His performances have also been outstanding.

“The opportunity now is for Peter Lakai and the group to step up and Sam will be there right with them.”

Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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Comments

42 Comments
D
DC000 26 days ago

The kiwi lad is about get eaten more than his missus in the pen at home after the latest shearing.

C
Cantab 28 days ago

A good TEAM will always have the advantage over a STAR in a side that over relies on him and thinks they don't have to perform themselves.

J
JW 28 days ago

Surprised theres no word on DP and Blackadder, they were both mentioned for a possible rejoining in the squad for Ireland. Now nothing. Has injury scratched them or a change in heart about using who's already on tour?


Would love to see both 9's go after Dupont so they can see first hand how he handles pressure. Lakai can go after him as well. We get to see what sort of speed and guile he can bring the jersey plus Dupont has such a status that it would be no skin off the bone if Dupont made them look like the inexperienced players they are.


And you never know, they could possibly harass him into the ground and shut him down to guarantee vicotry!

S
SC 28 days ago

Ryan said this week that Blackadder and Papalii would not be joining the team for any further tests. Neither have recovered and neither would be fit enough to play a test according to Ryan.

B
Bruiser 28 days ago

Finau needs to start at 6. If he cant cut in this match, then time to move on with him, but lets see now

S
SC 28 days ago

No. Win the test vs France.


No time to experiment with a serial underachiever like Finau.

S
SC 28 days ago

I truly hope Pete Lakai starts at 7 and Finau stays parked on the bench.


6 Sititi, 7 Lakai, and 8 Savea is an extremely athletic back row and Finau freezes when he plays test matches against teams with packs his own size.


Lakai had a very impressive Super Rugby season for the Hurricanes at 7 and why move Sititi and Savea from the positions they are both playing very well to have them do different roles?

D
Danoz 27 days ago

I agree with Sititi 6 Lakai 7 Savea 8 will be a big headache for France with those 3 workers

S
SC 28 days ago

DuPont has won how many international titles in XVs rugby? Very very few.


Yes he is a champion club player but no RWC championships and only one Six Nations title in a career that is approaching a decade long.

L
LB 28 days ago

So the france national team is no longer called 'Les Bleus' just 'Dupont" ?

H
Head high tackle 28 days ago

Only for their home games. Dupont doesnt travel overseas for EOYTs etc. Averages 7.5 tests a year.

C
Chiefs Mana 28 days ago

Course he'll play, he's 4th in the depth chart now with all the injuries.

D
DrinkAwayTheConcussion 28 days ago

6) Samipeni

7) Lakai

8) Wallace

20) Ardie


Bring the experience and leg drive on for the last 20-30 minutes.

We have got to start trusting these young fullas.

S
SC 28 days ago

You lost all credibility starting Finau ahead of Savea. That’s just ridiculous.

S
SC 28 days ago

Did OllieMathis even get signed to a Super Rugby contract?

H
Head high tackle 28 days ago

Why wouldnt you start our best and most experienced backrower?

T
Toaster 28 days ago

You can’t be serious benching Ardie in any match


Especially more so after losing Cane

J
Jmann 28 days ago

If you could only choose one of Carter or Dupont in a team. It would be dan carter 100% of the time.

N
Nickers 27 days ago

Only if you haven't spent any time watching 6 Nations, Top 14, or Champions Cup.

J
JW 28 days ago

What if I said I wanted to go with a Dupont and Carlos combination?

G
GL 28 days ago

Different positions

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N
Nickers 8 minutes ago
'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Razor seems totally at sea to me.


He squandered his first year when he could have been bringing in loads of new players at the expense of results. Instead he chased the win from week to week, ironically using the same players that have been underperforming and NOT winning for years to put in mediocre performances.


The new generation of players is here right now but Razor is clearly not ready for them. Lakai, Love, Proctor, Plummer etc... could all have 5 or so games under their belt. Instead they get 2 minutes at the end of the game to win a "cap" like this is still the 80s.


He had a license to be bold this year - an obligation after 4 years of conservatism under Fozzie. But in reality it wasn't until inuries forced his hand that any progress was made this season.


Worryingly, much like Fozzie, he seems unable to diagnose and fix what is not working on attack. He desperately needs some better assistants around him.


The comparison to SA is not really a fair one. Rassie is probably under the least pressure of anyone in all of World Rugby this year coming off back to back World Cups win. It's like the ABs in 2016 - everyone thought they would have a post world cup slump but it was the exact opposite. With no pressure and no fear they payed some of the most incredible rugby that has ever been played by the All Blacks, every new player was an instant super star and it seemed like nothing could go wrong. Much the same way 2017 hit the ABs like a ton of bricks I'm sure SA will endure something similar in 2025.

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