All Blacks team naming: Scott Robertson makes three changes for second test against France
Scott Robertson has named his matchday 23 to face France in Wellington on Saturday
That's all from us
Alex Powell
Right then. That'll conclude our live coverage for the morning.
Scott Robertson will front media in about an hour, so we'll have plenty more from the All Blacks today.
Thanks for joining us, and be sure to tune in on Saturday night for live coverage of the second test.
Debut for Tavatavanawai
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Get excited, Highlanders fans.
After a standout season in the south, the 27-year-old is in line for his first test cap.
Tavatavanawai played for Fiji at Under-20 level, but relocated to New Zealand to play in Marlborough.
After impressing with Tasman, he earned a contract with Moana Pasifika and played two seasons there, before shifting to the Highlanders.
It was there where coach Jamie Joseph made the call to shift him into midfield, where he excelled this year – and stood out with both his ability to break the line and turn the ball over.
Unavailable due to injury
Alex Powell
Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Sevu Reece (concussion); Scott Barrett (calf).
Razor keeps the faith
Alex Powell
Good to see. The only real changes to the starting side have come because of injury.
Billy Proctor has been given another chance after looking a tad below par in Dunedin, while we'll get another look at the Tupou Vaa'i experiment on the blindside.
Christian Lio-Willie stays at No 8 after his debut last week, while Du'Plessis Kirifi and Ollie Norris will earn their second caps off the bench.
Scott Robertson:
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“Test series are a unique and exciting opportunity. Both teams now have a better idea of what they’re going to get on Saturday night, and both will lift for this next occasion. We know where we need to improve,” Scott Robertson said.
“It is also awesome to be part of a double-header with the Black Ferns, who will take on Australia at 4.30pm. We’ve enjoyed connecting with the team this week and know they will put on a spectacle for the fans at Sky Stadium, in their last domestic game before the Rugby World Cup.”
Team named
Alex Powell
There we go then. Three changes for the All Blacks.
Patrick Tuipulotu comes straight into the starting side, in place of the injured Scott Barrett. Ardie Savea assumes the captaincy.
On the wing, Caleb Clarke returns on the left, and shifts Rieko Ioane to the right.
On the bench, Timoci Tavatavanawai comes in for his first test cap, presumably covering both wing and midfield.
All Blacks team:
Ethan de Groot
Codie Taylor
Fletcher Newell
Patrick Tuipulotu
Fabian Holland
Tupou Vaa’i
Ardie Savea (C)
Christian Lio-Willie
Cam Roigard
Beauden Barrett
Caleb Clarke
Jordie Barrett
Billy Proctor
Rieko Ioane
Will Jordan
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Ollie Norris
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Samipeni Finau
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai
23. Damian McKenzie
Not long now!
Alex Powell
About five minutes until the team is named. How many changes will we see?
Wing woes
Alex Powell
The All Blacks do have an issue as to who'll wear No 14 on Saturday.
Sevu Reece was the only out and out right winger in the squad, after Robertson picked just two specialists.
Will Caleb Clarke make a comeback? Will Rieko Ioane change sides? Will Timoci Tavatavanawai earn his first cap after starting his Super Rugby career in the No 14?
We'll find out shortly.
France say no to Hamilton
Alex Powell
While we wait for the team, France have turned down the chance to spend the week of the third test in Hamilton.
Instead, Les Bleus will base themselves in Auckland. The All Blacks, meanwhile, will be in Kirikiriroa for the week.
Where do the All Blacks improve?
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Less than an hour to go...
Alex Powell
Team naming expected at 10am this morning - stay with us until then.
Stick or twist?
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Two of the bigger selection calls last week saw Billy Proctor picked at centre ahead of Rieko Ioane, and Tupou Vaa'i at No 6.
Both had some success in Dunedin, but as is the case with the All Blacks, there is the chance to give someone else an opportunity.
But with plenty of selection quandaries on his plate, will Scott Robertson keep the faith for Wellington?
Gregor Paul reports.
France v New Zealand to meet in semifinals
Cameron McMillan
We'll have another France-New Zealand match-up next week with the two nations to meet in the semifinals at the Under-20 Championship. Both teams topped their pools today, New Zealand beating Ireland 69-22 while France also cruised with a 52-26 win over Argentina.
Cameron McMillan
French set to ring the changes
Cameron McMillan
French publication L'Equipe is reporting a possible 10 changes to the side that ran out in Dunedin including Théo Attissogbe being moved to the wing after a strong showing at fullback.
How many changes?
Alex Powell
Scott Robertson will have to make at least two fresh selections for this second test.
Captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out with a calf injury, while Sevu Reece faces a week stand down after failing a head injury assessment in the opening minute in Dunedin.
Just who replaces them, though, is anyone's guess.
Kia ora!
Alex Powell
Good morning, and welcome to the Herald's live coverage as the All Blacks name their side for the second test against France.
We'll bring you everything as it comes to hand, with the team expected at 10am.
All you need to know for second test
The French will be buoyed by their first test performance as they look to beat the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2009.
However, they have never beaten the All Blacks in Wellington, a city named after the man who orchestrated France’s most famous defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
Their poor record in the Capital includes a shock World Cup pool loss to Tonga in 2011.
All Blacks v France history
Played - 65
All Blacks won - 49
France won - 15
Draws - 1
All Blacks points scored - 1694
France points scored - 925
All Blacks v France - What happened last time in Wellington?
2018 - All Blacks 26 France 13
Benjamin Fall was sent off for clipping Beauden Barrett in the air in just the 11th minute and France were never going to upset the All Blacks with 14 men for the majority of the match.
Joe Moody broke clear to run 23m to open the scoring, followed by another individual effort from Ben Smith, giving the home side a 14-3 lead after 20 minutes. Jordie Barrett, starting at fullback, scored on both sides of halftime to extend the lead to 26-6.
France were twice denied tries by the TMO before eventually crossing over right on fulltime. The win secured the Dave Gallaher Trophy with a game in hand.
France’s record in Wellington
1961 - All Blacks 5 France 3
1968 - All Blacks 9 France 3
1987 - France 55 Romania 12
1999 - All Blacks 54 France 7
2001 - All Blacks 37 France 12
2007 - All Blacks 61 France 10
2009 - All Blacks 14 France 10
2011 - Tonga 19 France 14
2018 - All Blacks 26 France 13
All Blacks v France line-ups
All Blacks side:
Named Thursday, 11.45am. Scott Barrett and Sevu Reece have already been ruled out.
France side:
Named Thursday, 7pm.
All Blacks v France form guide (last five tests)
All Blacks: W, W, L, W, W
France: L, W, W, W, L
The All Blacks have won seven of their last eight since back-to-back defeats in South Africa last year. Scott Robertson’s winning percentage will reach 75% with a victory this week.
All Blacks v France referee
Christophe Ridley of England is in charge of the second test in Wellington.
This will be his first All Blacks test, though Quinn Tupaea, Tupou Vaa’i, Ollie Norris, Samipeni Finau and Billy Proctor may remember him as he was in charge of a New Zealand under-20s defeat to Wales in 2019. Ridley’s only test featuring France was a Six Nations clash last year when they drew with Italy.
All Blacks v France TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.16 Draw: $21 France: $5
All Blacks v France series schedule
Saturday, July 5, All Blacks 31 France 27, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Saturday, July 12, 7.05pm – All Blacks v France, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Saturday, July 19, 7.05pm – All Blacks v France, FMG Stadium, Hamilton
All Blacks v France - how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v France, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
Plus James McOnie & Mike Lane of The Alternative Commentary Collective will be providing commentary on their iHeartRadio stream.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.