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Potential debutant as All Blacks make wholesale changes for final France Test
By Henry Lee reporting from Hamilton
Scott Robertson and his coaching staff have made key changes to the All Blacks 23-man squad for the third and final France Test in Hamilton.
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FMG Stadium Waikato will host their only Test match of the year, and the final Test match in New Zealand before the Springboks take on the All Blacks at Eden Park on September 6.
Ardie Savea has been named the captain once again with Scott Barrett out with a lower leg injury.
Ethan de Groot keeps his place in the No.1 jersey, while Samisoni Taukei’aho moves from the bench into the starting lineup, alongside returning prop Tyrel Lomax.
Dutch-born Fabian Holland will make his third start in a row at lock, after playing 80 minutes in both of the first two Test matches of the year.
Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau is named at blindside flanker, alongside Savea, and Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson who has recovered from concussion to be available for the third Test.
Cortez Ratima has been shifted from his bench role into the starting side, partnering his club teammate Damian McKenzie for the first time this international campaign.
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It’s an all Chiefs midfield duo with Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown combining in their home region of Hamilton, in Lienert-Brown’s first appearance of the year for the All Blacks in the No.13 jersey.
Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece are trusted on the wing, in the positions they started the first Test in, before Reece picked up an injury in the first minute.
Hurricanes playmaker Ruben Love makes his first start in the No.15 jersey for the All Blacks, moving Will Jordan to the bench.
Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister is in line for a potential All Blacks debut off the bench, who is joined by Crusaders duo Fletcher Newell and George Bower for impact.
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Blues loose forward Dalton Papali’i will be looking to make his first appearance for the All Blacks this season off the bench, alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi who is in the No.20 jersey for the third straight week.
Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham will look to add energy off the bench in his second Test for the All Blacks, after making his debut in San Diego against Fiji.
Last week’s debutant Timoci Tavatavanawai and standout fullback Will Jordan make up the rest of the bench.
Full All Blacks lineup for third Test against France:
- Ethan de Groot
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Tyrel Lomax
- Patrick Tuipulotu (Vice-captain)
- Fabian Holland
- Samipeni Finau
- Ardie Savea (Captain)
- Luke Jacobson
- Cortez Ratima
- Damian McKenzie
- Rieko Ioane
- Quinn Tupaea
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Sevu Reece
- Ruben Love
Bench:
16. Brodie McAlister
17. George Bower
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Dalton Papali’i
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi
21. Noah Hotham
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai
23. Will Jordan
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Scott Barrett (calf); Caleb Clarke (ankle); Tupou Vaa’i (concussion); Beauden Barrett (hand)