A new-look All Blacks team will take to the field for their final test against France, with 10 changes in the starting XV for Saturday鈥檚 clash in Hamilton.
Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea and Rieko Ioane are the only players holding their positions in the run-on side, as the selectors opt to rotate the squad.
In the forwards, Samisoni Taukei鈥檃ho gets a rare start at hooker, while Tyrel Lomax starts at tighthead prop. With Tupou Vaa鈥檌 out with concussion, Samipeni Finau starts at blindside flanker while Luke Jacobson starts at No 8.
The backline sees Chiefs teammates Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie starting at halfback and first five-eighths respectively, while fellow Chiefs Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown make-up the midfield combination.
Sevu Reece starts on the right wing, with Ruben Love getting the start at fullback.
Beauden Barrett is out with a hand injury, so it is expected Love will provide cover at first five-eighths, with Timoci Tavatavanawai and Will Jordan named as backline over on the bench.
Hooker Brodie McAlister is in line for his debut off the bench, while George Bower, Dalton Papali鈥檌 and Noah Hotham also join the match day squad.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said there was a healthy edge in the camp this week, knowing that the French will throw everything at this final game of the series.
鈥淭here is high motivation and focus to perform in Hamilton this week. We are prepared for a determined and spirited French side and excited to play in front of a passionate, sold-out crowd.
鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Tyrel, Luke, Anton and Sevu back from injury and, with 185 caps between them, we know that they will be ready to perform at the highest level. It is also exciting to have Brodie debuting, as well as Ruben, Noah and Timoci adding to their single All Blacks cap. These men have earned their place in the team, have trained extremely hard over the last three weeks, and will take their opportunity on Saturday night.鈥
All Blacks team for the third test against France
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot 2. Samisoni Taukei鈥檃ho 3. Tyrel Lomax 4. Patrick Tuipulotu 5. Fabian Holland 6. Samipeni Finau 7. Ardie Savea (c) 8. Luke Jacobson 9. Cortez Ratima 10.鈥疍amian McKenzie 11.鈥疪ieko Ioane 12.鈥疩uinn Tupaea 13.鈥疉nton Lienert-Brown 14.鈥疭evu Reece 15.鈥疪uben Love.
Bench: 16.鈥疊rodie McAlister 17.鈥疓eorge Bower 18. Fletcher Newell 19.鈥疍alton Papali鈥檌 20.鈥疍u鈥橮lessis Kirifi 21.鈥疦oah Hotham 22.鈥疶imoci Tavatavanawai 23.鈥疻ill Jordan.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
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