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Nations Championship

The Breakdown panel select their All Blacks 23 for France Test

Henry Lee

Published: 28 June 2026 16:37 PDT

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)

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.

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.

VIDEO

“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

Xavier Numia
Codie Taylor
Pasilio Tosi
Josh Lord
Tupou Vaa’i
Wallace Sititi
Ardie Savea
Peter Lakai
Cameron Roigard
Ruben Love
Leroy Carter
Jordie Barrett
Billy Proctor
Josh Moorby
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 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

Ethan de Groot
Codie Taylor
Pasilio Tosi
Josh Lord
Tupou Vaa’i
Wallace Sititi
Ardie Savea
Peter Lakai
Cameron Roigard
Ruben Love
Fehi Fineanganofo
Jordie Barrett
Billy Proctor
Will Jordan
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:

Ethan de Groot
Codie Taylor
Fletcher Newell
Josh Lord
Tupou Vaa’i
Luke Jacobson
Ardie Savea
Peter Lakai
Cameron Roigard
Ruben Love
Caleb Clarke
Jordie Barrett
Billy Proctor
Will Jordan
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

Comments

60 Comments

Blackmania 42 days ago

The latest rumours suggest:

De Groot / Taylor / Lomax

Lord / Va’ai

Segner / Lakai / Ardie (in what order?)

Roigard / Love

Clarke / J. Barrett / Proctor / Jordan / DMK

Others are suggesting Fineanganofo at right wing, Jordan at fullback, and DMK on the bench.

Apparently, Tupaea is carrying a slight injury.

The real surprise would be Segner starting to earn his first cap, with Sititi named on the bench.

The entire Hurricanes front row would also be on the bench: Numia, Aumua and Tosi.

Just a few more hours to wait!

SC 44 days ago

1 DeGroot, 2 Taukeo’aho, 3 Lomax, 4 Lord, 5 Vaa’i, 6 Parker, 7 Savea, 8 Lakai, 9 Roigard, 10 Love, 11 Fineanganafo, 12 J. Barrett, 13 Tupaea, 14 Moorby, 15 Jordan

16 Aumua, 17 Numia, 18 Tosi, 19 Tuipulotu, 20 Sititi, 21 Preston, 22 McKenzie, 23 Proctor

Tk 45 days ago

Too early for Lomax, I would go with Tosi and Newell at tighthead this week. Possibly similar thinking around Jordan and Sititi. Use those 3 the following week after a bit more training. Rennie has been watching ALB all year and didn't select him not to play, so I expect him on bench.

LondonAllBlack 45 days ago

1.De Groot

2.Taylor

3.Newall

4.Lord

5.Vaa’i

6.Sititi

7.Savea

8.Lakai

9.Roigard

10.Love

11.Fineanganofo

12.Barrett J

13.Tupaea

14.Jordan

15.Moorby

16.Numia

17. Taukei'aho

18. Tosi

19. Darry

20. Tuipulotu

21. Segner

22. Clarke

23. Preston

Bazzallina 45 days ago

Jordie to cover 10 ? I don’t mind that

Hammer Head 45 days ago

A 23 without at least 2 Barrettos?

Beauden must surely be rewarded with a cap by Didgeridoo Dave and Disco Lights Ted.

Discuss.

Harry 45 days ago

Says Dingbat Hammer Head

JW 45 days ago

Scott’s out of rugby.

unknown 45 days ago

De Groot, Taukeiaho, Newell, Lord, Vaa'i, Parker, Savea, Lakai, Roigard, Love, Fineanganofo, J.Barrett, Proctor, Moorby, Jordan

Aumua, Numia, Tosi, Darry, Sititi, Preston, McKenzie, Tupaea

JW 45 days ago

Run-of-the-Mill

unknown 45 days ago

Leroy was the lucky one due to Leicester's injury, dunno what Wilson is thinking having him start ahead of any of the other outside backs. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player but surely you strike while the iron is hot with Fehi and Josh

JW 45 days ago

Have the coaches said that?

Blackmania 45 days ago

I think we won’t be too far off this:

De Groot Taylor Newell

Darry Vaai

Parker Lakai Savea

Roigard Love

Fineanganofo J. Barrett Lienert-Brown Jordan

McKenzie

Bench: Numia Aumua Tosi Lord Sititi Segner Preston Tupaea

It’s not the team I would pick myself, but I think this is what Rennie will go with.

Parker ahead of Sititi, who’s coming back from a serious concussion.

I’m almost certain Jordan will start on the wing.

Lienert-Brown will be the surprise selection.

Fehi will get the nod for this first match ahead of Clarke.

And I expect a 6–2 split on the bench.

TokoRFC 44 days ago

I reckon this is a good side. Really like the hurricanes front row as impact.

except I hope ALB is on the bench at best.

DarstedlyDan 44 days ago

I agree that your team is a likely one. Rennie knows ALB, clearly trusts him. We are playing the French who have tall loosies - we need a 3rd line out jumper. The 6-2 works as you’ve sketched it. A 5-3 may mean Clarke on the left and Fineanganofo on the right with DMac in the reserves - they may go down this path if they expect the high ball to be an issue.

JW 45 days ago

Makes yuo cry doesn’t it. Replace Love with Beauden for the perfect hit.

cnw 45 days ago

Agree 6-2 and like most of your picks. But this will be a very fast mobile French team, especially their locks and loosies. They will also have an electric backline. So Parker does not seem the right fit to combat that speed and mobility. I worry about Sititi’s health (and so should Rennie) - so I wonder whether Rennie will go with Segner alongside Lakai and Ardie. and start with Lord and Vaa’i - a proven combination. Then have Tuipolutu and Darry supporting the hugely mobile Canes front row. Jacobson rounds that out subbing for Segner. Not a Jacobson fan, but he is more mobile that Parker and his experience at the finish could be important. (All assumes Sititi not playing - if he is, then he starts and Segner finishes).

NucK 45 days ago

If BB is anywhere near the 23…. I’ll throw a tanny!

d 44 days ago

he’s a rock solid defensive fullback, but not a #10.

KwAussie 45 days ago

It’ll be interesting to se how these selections fit in with what DR and his team think. I hope they are a lot less conservative than Razor as I felt his lack of change was a huge part of his downfall.

Personally not a fan of Jordan on the wing. With his lack of rugby I’d have him off the bench at best and might even save him for the Italy game. I’m not sure I’d have both DMac and BB in the team. For me it’s one or the other and trust the players coming through.

NucK 45 days ago

Save him for the Italy game. He needs time.

smartalec 45 days 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.

JB 44 days ago

Mils loves BB. He can’t bring himself to criticize BB when commentating, preferring to completely gloss over his mistakes. Then he pumps his tires when he does something average. Much like many others from the medias BB fan club.

SO 45 days ago

Totally agree with you think he would have the whole Chiefs team in there if he could!

JW 45 days 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).

RD 45 days 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 😀

JW 45 days ago

de Groot

Aumua

Newell

Lord

Tuipulotu

Vaa’i

Savea

Parker