Scott Robertson explains the new halves pairing for the All Blacks ahead of France

Scott Robertson and his coaching staff have made five personnel changes to the All Blacks starting team to play France, including a new halves pairing after beating Ireland 23-13 last week.

Form pair Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie return to the bench as Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett return from head knocks, while Cam Roigard, Samipeni Finau, and Sevu Reece have been given a chance to start.

Finau and Reece were forced changes as Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a suffered injuries, but the elevation of Roigard is a chance to see more of the Hurricanes halfback.

Fixture

Internationals

France

30 - 29

Full-time

New Zealand

All Stats and Data

Robertson said that Roigard’s kicking game tipped selection in his favour, with the No 9 possessing a monster 60m boot from the base that rivals his opposite Antoine Dupont.

“He’s been impressive, hasn’t he?” Robertson said of Roigard.

“He’s taken his opportunity, and we believe this is the match for him, just with the game management, the kicking, there will probably be a fair bit of kicking if the match goes to plan for both teams.

“And you know Beauden comes back in after playing extremely well against England. He’s clear with his head knock.”

Last week’s man of the match Damian McKenzie returns to the bench to make way for Beauden Barrett.

After playing such a pivotal role against Ireland, Robertson said it was a decision they thought long and hard about.

Robertson labelled McKenzie “the world’s best” bench player with his ability to come on and “change the game”.

“It’s great, it’s a great discussion to have when you’ve got two 10s in form, and both good tacticians, you know, both kicking well,” Robertson said.

“This the part that worked deeply at and, you know, the one thing about D-Mac is he’s probably the best off the bench, we believe, in the world.

“When he comes on, he can change the game, and now he’s doing it as a starter. So it’s a good discussion to have.”