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The Breakdown panel select their All Blacks 23 for France Test

Since Beauden Barrett was restored at No.10, McKenzie has tended to be used as a second play-maker, mostly from full-back (Photo Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
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Three former All Blacks have made their selections ahead of Dave Rennie’s first Test in charge, this Saturday against Fabien Galthié’s France in Christchurch.

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Rennie and his coaching staff will select a 23-man squad on Thursday, before the brand new “Nations Championship” competition kicks off at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

On Sky Sport, Jeff Wilson, Stephen Donald, and Mils Muliaina were asked to provide their 23-man squad for the first Test of 2026 if they were the selectors.

The trio of former All Blacks had different 23’s, but all named a core group of Hurricanes players, Peter Lakai, Cameron Roigard, Ruben Love, Jordie Barrett, and Billy Proctor.

Wilson said he’s selected players on current form and familiar Super Rugby Pacific combinations that can translate to the Nations Championship.

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“I’ve pulled the trigger all over the place. I’ve got Xavier Numia getting his first opportunity. I’ve got Ruben Love starting at 10. You see Josh Moorby down there,” Wilson said.

“All year I wanted to see Will Jordan on the wing. He’s back at fullback, he’s fit and ready to go, and I’ve got plenty of talent coming off the bench, Anton Segner for me.

“I know you want to look at some test matches in isolation as a group, but for the opening test of the year, I want form, I want Billy Proctor, I want team Hurricanes to get a chance to build on all their momentum.”

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Jeff Wilson’s 23-man squad

  1. Xavier Numia
  2. Codie Taylor
  3. Pasilio Tosi
  4. Josh Lord
  5. Tupou Vaa’i
  6. Wallace Sititi
  7. Ardie Savea
  8. Peter Lakai
  9. Cameron Roigard
  10. Ruben Love
  11. Leroy Carter
  12. Jordie Barrett
  13. Billy Proctor
  14. Josh Moorby
  15. Will Jordan

Bench:

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16. Asafo Aumua

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Tyrel Lomax

19. Sam Darry

20. Anton Segner

21. Kyle Preston

22. Damian McKenzie

23. Quinn Tupaea

Muliaina, a former All Black centurion, also believes Jordan could be on the right wing on Saturday evening, alongside some in-form Hurricanes backs.

“I’ve gone a little bit strategic, I’ve gone with a little bit of experience, so De Groot is in there. I thought he had a great Super Rugby campaign. His experience, particularly when it comes to scrum time, is important,” Muliaina said on The Breakdown.

“I’ve rewarded Fineanganofo, why would you pick him a squad when he’s even going overseas to not start him.

“And then I’ve moved Will Jordan to the right side to enable the likes of Damian McKenzie to start at fallback, and a little bit has to do with what’s on the bench.”

Mils Muliaina

  1. Ethan de Groot
  2. Codie Taylor
  3. Pasilio Tosi
  4. Josh Lord
  5. Tupou Vaa’i
  6. Wallace Sititi
  7. Ardie Savea
  8. Peter Lakai
  9. Cameron Roigard
  10. Ruben Love
  11. Fehi Fineanganofo
  12. Jordie Barrett
  13. Billy Proctor
  14. Will Jordan
  15. Damian McKenzie

Bench:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho

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17. Xavier Numia

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Patrick Tuipulotu

20. Simon Parker

21. Cortez Ratima

22. Beauden Barrett

23. Anton Lienert-Brown

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Donald explained he made his 23-man selections with an eye to Italy in Wellington, leaving some firepower out of the squad and on the bench.

“I think Damian McKenzie, under Dave Rennie, will be at fullback, but I’ve got Newell and De Groot, mainly because I just want to get that platform nice and solid with a lot of experience against the French.

“I’ve got Caleb Clarke, who didn’t get a whole lot of ball [with the Blues], but you talk about being a sort of selector, I’m a two-week selector, I’ve picked with Italy in mind as well.

“I’ve got a little bit of my powder to be kept dry for Italy, and I’ve also listened to Jeff Wilson; he has harped on and on about benches, and if you look at my bench, have you seen a more dynamic, powerful, impactful bench.”

Stephen Donald:

  1. Ethan de Groot
  2. Codie Taylor
  3. Fletcher Newell
  4. Josh Lord
  5. Tupou Vaa’i
  6. Luke Jacobson
  7. Ardie Savea
  8. Peter Lakai
  9. Cameron Roigard
  10. Ruben Love
  11. Caleb Clarke
  12. Jordie Barrett
  13. Billy Proctor
  14. Will Jordan
  15. Damian McKenzie

Bench:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho

17. Xavier Numia

18. Pasilio Tosi

19. Sam Darry

20. Wallace Sititi

21. Cortez Ratima

22. Quinn Tupaea

23. Josh Moorby


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Comments

7 Comments
s
smartalec 4 mins ago

I don’t understand Mils team. Why would you have Love, DMac and BB all in the 23? You only need 2 out of those 3. Put another outside back in there.

J
JW 2 mins ago

If you’re going two playmakers you need a backup, especially if you’re listen to them when they say theyre going to keep it simple. That means no plan b (playing without two 10s).

R
RD 5 mins ago

Taylor talking up the new coach - until he gets dropped. Surprised all three had him at the No 2 starter!

Wont be many / any new players starting. Playing it safe - like Razor 😀

J
JW 5 mins ago

de Groot

Aumua

Newell

Lord

Tuipulotu

Vaa’i

Savea

Parker

Roigard

Dmac

Clarke

Tupaea

Proctor

Fehi

Barrett


Samisoni

Numia

Tosi

Darry

Segner

Lakai

Preston

Moorby


Way better than those three teams

R
RD 0 mins ago

Better with Carter to cover hb and outside backs?

N
NucK 7 mins ago

6/2 split on bench is pretty much a requirement vs France & SA. When will the penny drop?

J
JW 5 mins ago

When they listen to me.

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