All Blacks v France: Ruben Love wins race for No 10 jersey, two debutants for season opener
Ruben Love has won the race to wear the All Blacks’ No 10 jersey, while Dave Rennie has sprung several surprise selections for his matchday 23 to face France in Christchurch on Saturday.
After a standout season for the Hurricanes, leading the team to a second title and first in a decade, Love’s Super Rugby form has been rewarded with his first start at No 10 at test level.
The 25-year-old’s previous appearances for the All Blacks – under Scott Robertson – have all come at fullback, but the partnership with Cam Roigard has proven too tempting for Rennie to ignore in his maiden side.
The loose forward trio is arguably the biggest talking point of Rennie’s first team, with Peter Lakai and Luke Jacobson selected for the sides of the scrum, as captain Ardie Savea returns to No 8.
Wallace Sititi will provide cover off the bench, nearly a month on from a concussion that ended his Super Rugby campaign.
Love isn’t the only Hurricanes title-winner to be rewarded, with standout wing Fehi Fineanganofo named to make his test debut, albeit off the bench as the pair of Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan will start on the flanks.
Jordan’s return to the wing is another change from the Robertson era, after the 28-year-old established himself as the first-choice fullback despite having started his career as a winger under Ian Foster.
Damian McKenzie has been selected at fullback in Rennie’s maiden side, while there is no room for Beauden Barrett in the matchday 23.
Tupou Vaa’i has not recovered from a concussion suffered in the Chiefs’ Super Rugby final defeat to the Hurricanes, and that means Josh Lord and Sam Darry form the second row, while Patrick Tuipulotu covers lock on the bench.
There are no major surprises in the front row, with Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell selected, while Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia has been named to debut off the bench, alongside club teammates Tyrel Lomax and Asafo Aumua.
“There is no doubt players have forced our hand as selectors through quality Super Rugby performances,” Rennie said.
“We have selected an exciting blend of experience and youth, with a powerful bench that will add impact.
“We know we will be facing a formidable French side with a strong set piece, kicking game and ability to keep the ball alive, so we will need to be physical, accurate and alert. We’ve worked hard and connected well over the past nine days. That clarity will give us the opportunity to express ourselves.
“It is an honour to play the first test match at the new Christchurch stadium and to bring the All Blacks back to this proud rugby region. What a way to start our season, playing under the roof in front of a sold-out stadium.”
All Blacks team to play France: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Peter Lakai, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Fehi Fineanganofo
That's all folks!
Alex Powell
Right then, that'll be all from us tonight. There will be plenty of analysis and reaction from our reporters on the ground to come over the next couple of days, though.
Be sure to check back in on Saturday night, when the Dave Rennie era begins!
Until then, thanks for joining us.
Christopher Reive
Rennie on moving Will Jordan back to the wing
Christopher Reive
"I spoke to Will maybe a couple of months ago when I was down here with the Crusaders, spoke to him about fullback versus wing.
"He said oh, a couple of years ago he would have always said fullback.
"Now he's happy with either. I think the type of game that Will plays, he'll get his hands on the ball a lot and having a couple of guys in the backfield with that sort of skillset, great aerially, excellent kicking games, optimistic, will have a crack when it's on, and that's really exciting for us."
Rennie on how he wants the team to play
Christopher Reive
"We want them to express themselves. It's test match footy so we understand there are times they're going to get into an arm wrestle, but we want them to play with optimism."
Why Fineanganofo on the bench:
Alex Powell
“He’s been excellent. We’re expecting a lot of contestable kicking. Caleb Clarke is excellent going both ways.
“Damian and Will are excellent, this was the best mix.”
Dave Rennie on the loose trio
Christopher Reive
"It's just numbers on the back for me. Sounds like some people got excited about the change.
"We like Luke [Jacobson], we think he's tough.
"What they've got is a complementary skillset, so we're excited to see them work together."
Rennie on McKenzie, Jordan
Alex Powell
Asked about Jordan's return to the wing:
"[We have] two of the best fullbacks in the world, on the field at the same time".
Dave Rennie will be addressing media at 4.45pm
Christopher Reive
We'll bring you a livestream of that media session.
No Beauden Barrett
Alex Powell
One massive call from Rennie is the complete omission of Beauden Barrett.
With Love and McKenzie at first five and fullback respectively, Rennie has seen no place for another playmaker in his first 23.
At 35, the fact he'll be 36 by the next World Cup, and Richie Mo'unga to return later this year, have we now seen the end of Beauden Barrett?
Christopher Reive
An additional note
Christopher Reive
There are no vice-captains indicated in the squad.
Three initial take aways from the squad
Christopher Reive
1. Peter Lakai at blindside flanker is a bit of a curveball. He played most of the game there off the bench replacing Samipeni Finau early in Paris in 2024, but most commonly sighted with No 7 or 8 on his back. He lines up alongside Luke Jacobson (openside) and Ardie Savea (No 8) in the first test.
2. Whether it's conscious or not, Rennie has made a statement by undoing two of Scott Robertson's biggest selection changes. Will Jordan going back to the wing after spending the better part of the last two years at fullback is a huge change to make. Elsewhere, you can say the same about Ardie Savea shifting back to No 8 after playing 2025 as the first-choice on the openside.
Both players are more than capable of adjusting to new jobs – as we've already seen from both of them.
3. Ruben Love gets rewarded for his form with a shot at test level. Great to see and I'm interested to see how he goes with the step up – obviously in familiar territory alongside Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett.
Dave Rennie:
Alex Powell
“There is no doubt players have forced our hand as selectors through quality Super Rugby performances,” said Rennie.
“We have selected an exciting blend of experience and youth, with a powerful bench that will add impact.
“We know we will be facing a formidable French side with a strong set piece, kicking game and ability to keep the ball alive, so we will need to be physical, accurate and alert. We’ve worked hard and connected well over the past nine days. That clarity will give us the opportunity to express ourselves.
“It is an honour to play the first test match at the new Christchurch stadium and to bring the All Blacks back to this proud rugby region. What a way to start our season, playing under the roof in front of a sold-out stadium.”
All Blacks team to play France
Christopher Reive
1. Ethan de Groot 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Josh Lord 5. Sam Darry 6. Peter Lakai 7. Luke Jacobson 8. Ardie Savea (C) 9. Cam Roigard 10. Ruben Love 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Quinn Tupaea 14. Will Jordan 15. Damian McKenzie
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua 17. Xavier Numia (uncapped) 18. Tyrel Lomax 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Wallace Sititi 21. Cortez Ratima 22. Billy Proctor 23. Fehi Fineanganofo (uncapped)
Unavailable: Tupou Vaa'i (concussion)
Not long to go...
Alex Powell
We're just a couple of minutes away from the first team of the Dave Rennie era!
Christopher Reive
Speaking on Ryan Bridge Today today, 60-test All Black Jeff Wilson predicted Ruben Love would start at No 10. You can watch that interview here:
Christopher Reive
There has been plenty said about what the French squad might look like for this test as they are missing nine Top 14 finalists. The squad arrived in New Zealand late last night and are having today off before getting into their work tomorrow.
Their squad is named at 7pm this evening.
Christopher Reive
If the previous All Blacks coaching regime served up word salad, then new assistant Neil Barnes brings “meat and three veg” communication, writes Mike Thorpe.
Christopher Reive
Our lead rugby writer Liam Napier had a look at the squad and picked his likely team for Saturday night's test. You can find that here:
Christopher Reive
Areas of interest
Christopher Reive
For me, there are three aspects of this squad that pique my interest.
The first is the loose trio. Captain Ardie Savea will surely be there, but who plays alongside him? Rookie All Black Anton Segner was terrific for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific, while Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi all bring test experience.
The second is who plays No 10. The calls for Ruben Love to get a shot have been very loud on the back of an impressive Hurricanes campaign.
The third is who gets the nod on the wings. Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo (uncapped), Josh Moorby (uncapped) and Leroy Carter all have claims, though Will Jordan could add to the equation if Rennie wants to play Love at 10 and Damian McKenzie or Beauden Barrett at fullback.
All Blacks squad for July window
Alex Powell
Just a reminder of the players Dave Rennie has to pick from this month:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho
Loosehead props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia (uncapped)
Tighthead props: Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tyrel Lomax
Locks: Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Jamie Hannah (uncapped) joins the squad as injury cover for Vaa’i (concussion)
Loose forwards: Anton Segner (uncapped), Ardie Savea (captain), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi
Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston
First fives: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Ruben Love
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo (uncapped), Josh Moorby (uncapped), Leroy Carter, Will Jordan
Unavailable due to injury: Fabian Holland, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Scott Barrett, Tamaiti Williams
Kia ora!
Alex Powell
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to the Herald's live coverage of the first All Blacks team naming of 2026!
Dave Rennie will drop his team at 4pm, so make sure you stay with us as we bring you everything as soon as it arrives!