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Veterans return for All Blacks as team to play France named
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks have named their team to face France with veterans Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett returning after missing the Ireland Test under return to play protocols.
Both veterans resume their starting roles at hooker and first five-eighth, with Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie moving to the bench.
Robertson has also opted for a back row re-shuffle with regular openside Sam Cane injured. Ardie Savea will start in the No 7 jersey for the first time this year, with Wallace Sititi moving to No 8 and Samipeni Finau getting a start at blindside. Hurricanes flanker Peter Lakai has been named as the loose forward reserve.
In another switch, halfback Cam Roigard will wear the No 9 jersey for the first time this year to partner Barrett in the halves with Cortez Ratima moving to the finishing role on the reserves.
Sevu Reece comes back into the side to replace Mark Tele'a who has been ruled out with a hand injury.
“It has been special to be here in Paris during Armistice Day," Robertson said.
"We have honoured those commemorations as a team and also acknowledged the significance of the Dave Gallaher Trophy, named after one of our greatest All Black Captains who led the ‘Originals’ in the first ever Test match against France, and lost his life 11 years later in World War I.
"This is a trophy we would love to hold, and the players are prepared to take their opportunity in Paris this Saturday night.”
All Blacks team to face France:
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Tupou Vaa'i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Ardie Savea
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cam Roigard
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Peter Lakai
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Damian McKenzie
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Nice one John. I agree that defence (along with backfield kick receipt/positioning) remains their biggest issue, but that I did see some small improvements in it despite the scoreline like the additional jackal attempts from guys like tupou and the better linespeed in tight. But, I still see two issues - 1) yes they are jackaling, but as you point out they aren't slowing the ball down. I think some dark arts around committing an extra tackler, choke tackles, or a slower roll away etc could help at times as at the moment its too easy for oppo teams to get quick ball (they miss L wright). Do you have average ruck speed? I feel like teams are pretty happy these days to cop a tackle behind the ad line if they still get quick ball... and 2) I still think the defence wide of the 3-4th forward man out looks leaky and disconnected and if sua'ali'i is going to stay at 13 I think we could see some real pressure through that channel from other teams. The wallabies discipline has improved and so they are giving away less 3 pt opportunities and kicks into their 22 via penalty. Now, they need to be able to force teams to turnover the ball and hold them out. They scramble quite well once a break is made, but they seem to need the break to happen first... Hunter, marika and daugunu were other handy players to put ruck pressure on. Under rennie, they used to counter ruck quite effectively to put pressure on at the b/down as well.
Go to commentsYes, probably why he still annoys me even now
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