The Breakdown panel select their All Blacks 23 for France Test

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

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:

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 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

17. Xavier Numia

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Patrick Tuipulotu

20. Simon Parker

21. Cortez Ratima

22. Beauden Barrett

23. Anton Lienert-Brown

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