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Five new faces for France against unchanged All Blacks
By Alex Fisher
Jacques Brunel has rung the changes ahead of France's second Test with New Zealand, the coach making five alterations to the side who were thrashed in Auckland.
France were overwhelmed in the opening match of their three-Test series against the All Blacks, losing 52-11 at Eden Park.
Back-row duo Judicael Cancoriet and Fabien Sanconnie make way for Mathieu Babillot and Kelian Galletier, while Bernard Le Roux starts ahead of Paul Gabrillagues at lock.
In the backs, the injured Remy Grosso makes way for Gael Fickou, and Benjamin Fall takes Maxime Medard's position at full-back for the clash in Wellington.
Brunel has opted to keep faith with half-back pairing Morgan Parra and Anthony Belleau, while Mathieu Bastareaud will again lead the European side in the absence of Guilhem Guirado.
In contrast, New Zealand are unchanged for the second match, with Steve Hansen naming the same 23-man squad.
"As we have a big focus right now on developing our game and working on our skillsets, connections and combinations, it isn't beneficial to be making wholesale changes, if any at all, to the playing 23," said Hansen.
"Whilst we were really happy with the way we finished last weekend's Test, we're fully aware that we still have a lot of work to do over the rest of the series.
"The French would've taken a lot of confidence out of their first 50 minutes on the weekend and will be coming to play on Saturday night. Therefore, it will require us to raise our game to an even higher level.
"Rather than being inhibited by this, we'll be embracing and walking towards the challenge. We'll be looking to play our own high-energy game with real intent.
"When it comes to our performance, we know there are high expectations from our fans. This, in turn, demands that we drive our own expectations even higher."
FRANCE
Benjamin Fall, Teddy Thomas, Mathieu Bastareaud, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Gael Fickou, Anthony Belleau, Morgan Parra; Dany Priso, Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Bernard Le Roux, Yoann Maestri, Mathieu Babillot, Kelian Galletier, Kevin Gourdon.
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Cyril Baille, Cedate Gomes Sa, Paul Gabrillagues, Alexandre Lapandry, Baptiste Serin, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard.
New Zealand: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Luke Whitelock.
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, Ngani Laumape.
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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