All Blacks v France Test #1
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As well as the selection of Tu’inukuafe, in the number 17 jersey, the All Blacks front row is also bolstered by the return of Owen Franks and Joe Moody to the All Blacks Test side, with Codie Taylor at hooker. Ofa Tuungafasi and Nathan Harris are the other front row run-on replacements.
Steinlager Series skipper Samuel Whitelock will captain the Test side for the second time in his 97th Test, and is in the second row alongside Scott Barrett. Liam Squire is at blindside flanker, with Sam Cane at openside and Luke Whitelock at number eight. Vaea Fifita and Ardie Savea will provide loose forward impact off the bench.
In the backs, the inside pairing of Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett will start, with Ryan Crotty at 12 and Anton Lienert-Brown is at centre. In the back three, Rieko Ioane is on the left wing, Ben Smith on the right and Jordie Barrett starts at fullback. TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie and Ngani Laumape provide back cover off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Barrett brothers will make All Blacks history as the first trio of brothers to make an All Blacks Test starting XV.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “We’re really looking forward to the weekend and had a great week of training. Whilst rugby is a complicated game, we’ve worked hard at simplifying those complexities this week so that we can go out and play with real confidence, high energy and genuine intent on the weekend.
“The players have worked hard on getting clarity of role and are up for the challenge that this French side brings. Statistics show that they’re the best defensive team in world rugby at the moment, and history has shown us what can happen when they flick the switch on attack.
Hansen also congratulated Tu’inukuafe on his selection in the matchday 23.
“It has been a spectacular rise for Karl, but his selection is well deserved and we look forward to watching him play his part on Saturday night. He and his family can be very proud about what he is about to achieve.
“It’s also a special night for the Barrett family with Beaudy, Scott and Jordie all starting the Test match, the first trio of All Black brothers to do so, so we congratulate them on their historic milestone.
Hansen said the team was looking forward to kicking off the international season.
"The team are really looking forward to getting out in the Test arena and playing at a packed-out Eden Park in front of our loyal and supportive home fans."
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I think with Jordie , B Smith and Beauden in there ,
It also puts Dmac on notice a bit ,
Richie Mounga could be on that bench and FB is already well covered
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@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks Squad for France:
It also puts Dmac on notice a bit ,
He should be a supersub, covering
10
11
14
15
and occasionally 9too short for an 8 really, and I decline to comment on 'X' factor
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Forward 13 as expected, but looks short on locking power. Went for most experienced midfield, which I understand. Very much want to see Goodhue get a run in this series. As before I'd have had Mo'unga on bench with potential change up from BB to 15. Both better than Dmac in these possies respectively.
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Congratualtions to Karl Tuinukuafe. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play.
I am unilaterally deciding to remove the apostrophe from his name, based on the advice from Mimic's mum in the Telea v Tele'a discussion. Any honky knows how to pronounce Tui without the assisting apostrophe.
However the apostrophe in Tu'ungafasi is still definitely required.
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The team is:
Maxime Medard, Teddy Thomas, Mathieu Bastareaud (c), Geoffrey Doumayrou, Remy Grosso, Anthony Belleau, Morgan Parra, Kevin Gourdon, Fabien Sanconnie, Judicael Cancoriet, Yoann Maestri, Paul Gabrillagues, Uini Atonio, Camille Chat, Dany Priso.
Replacements: Adrien Pélissié, Cyril Baille, Rabah Slimani, Bernard Le Roux, Alexandre Lapandry, Baptiste Serin, Jules Plisson, Gael Fickou.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12066033
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@pukunui said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
The big question is: Are we going to be wearing black?
Yes.
The artists formerly known as the Tricolores may have trashed the second best kit in international rugby, but ....... they now at least wear the correct shade of blue. Even if they now don't even know what colour their shorts and socks are supposed to be. If only they had a convenient reference to look at.
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Disappointed Goodhue isn't starting, but it's not like ALB hasn't been in good form and he has experience.
Would have preferred Romano on the bench in case of an early injury. Fifita could be effective against a tired defense though.
Biggest gripe with the team is DMac on the bench. Completely redundant - we already have ample cover for fullback and wing. Mo'unga extremely unlucky not to get in ahead of him, DMac is definitely a coach favourite despite his "one good thing among four complete fuckups" style of play.
I love Jordie but he also has "coach favourite" status at the moment, very lucky to be picked ahead of Wise. Long term he is likely to be a regular fixture though so can see why they want him on the paddock after his remarkable debut against the Lions.
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shit team. crap bench. Our days at the top are numbered.
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so who kicks, JB or BB?
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
so who kicks, JB or BB?
Depends.
For goal, consistently, no matter what the psychic energy is doing that particular week - then JB.
On a good day - then either.
On a bad day, In the general direction of the air beside the side of a barn - then also BB.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
Disappointed Goodhue isn't starting, but it's not like ALB hasn't been in good form and he has experience.
Would have preferred Romano on the bench in case of an early injury. Fafita could be effective against a tired defense though.
Biggest gripe with the team is DMac on the bench. Completely redundant - we already have ample cover for fullback and wing. Mo'unga extremely unlucky not to get in ahead of him, DMac is definitely a coach favourite despite his "one good thing among four complete fuckups" style of play.
I love Jordie but he also has "coach favourite" status at the moment, very lucky to be picked ahead of Wise. Long term he is likely to be a regular fixture though so can see why they want him on the paddock after his remarkable debut against the Lions.
Agree with most of that. I just don't see what Fifita brings that makes him a test lock. Other than height. Very much Isaac Ross Mk2. Happy for him to have a stormer and prove me wrong though.
Can see why they started ALB. Hopefully Goodhue gets a chance in test 2 or 3.
Also agree on Dmac, his fullback cover isn't needed with 3 guys in the team who are better there. So it is a direct shoot out as pure 10 cover and i think Mounga is a clear winner there.
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you'd have to think Goodhue will get a run this series, while he played on the NH tour, it wasn't a test
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I didn't think that anyone could top Rancid's love of the Barrett whanau but clearly I was wrong as Hansen surely hearts them the most.
I don't like moving Smith to accommodate Jordie, maybe if Jordie had been outstanding this year - but he's only been good to average (still I've never been a huge fan of Naholo so I suppose I can't be too complainy).
No Frizell for a 7 minute cameo is also disappointing.
