It’s time for Love: What the All Blacks team should be for France test in Christchurch

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Four new faces and a new captain headline Dave Rennie's first All Blacks squad for 2026. Ardie Savea takes over the captaincy, joined by debutants Xavier Numia, Anton Segner, Fehi Fineanganofo, and Josh Moorby.

Who should Dave Rennie pick in his team when the All Blacks start their season against France on July 4? Read our picks below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

ANALYSIS: It’s time for Love. Ruben Love.

The Hurricanes playmaker had an outstanding season and deserves his chance to lead Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks team against France in Christchurch next Saturday night.

Love outshining Damian McKenzie in last weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific final, won 60-5 by the Hurricanes in a remarkable procession, must have been compelling for the All Blacks coaches. Love has played only five tests to McKenzie’s 74 but was far superior.

McKenzie can’t be written off from one bad performance, but his grim finals record with the Chiefs is not improving his case.

Veteran Beauden Barrett struggled with form and injury towards the end of the Blues’ flat campaign, something Rennie might consider when mulling over his selections with the looming tour of South Africa in mind. That huge challenge is to come in August and September.

Stuff rugby reporters Robert van Royen and Joseph Pearson have picked their 23s after Rennie’s first squad was unveiled on Monday. France (again) are unlikely to be at full strength after finishing their longer domestic season.

There are four new caps (Xavier Numia, Anton Segner, Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby) who could make their test debuts when the All Blacks face the French, then Italy in Wellington on July 11 and Ireland in Auckland on July 18.

Robert van Royen’s 23

All Blacks: Will Jordan, Josh Moorby, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Kyle Preston, Billy Proctor, Damian McKenzie.

Assuming Will Jordan (calf) is fit, the All Blacks could name a lethal group of outside backs to start the new season, partnering the Crusader with record-breaking Hurricanes wingers Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby.

The All Blacks need to find out if Ruben Love can handle the No 10 jersey at test level, meaning he should start at least two of the July tests.

There's no point waiting, partner him with Hurricanes team-mate Cam Roigard against France, leaving Damian McKenzie to come off the bench, or to start at fullback if Jordan is unavailable.

Tupou Vaa'i's (concussion) unavailability means it's a straight forward call to start Josh Lord and Sam Darry in the second row, while the loose forwards also name themselves.

As for the ever contentious midfield, Quinn Tupaea showed he could mix it in the No 13 test jersey last year, and he and Jordie Barrett are too good not to start.

Joseph Pearson’s 23

All Blacks: Will Jordan, Fehi Fineanganofo, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Damian McKenzie.

Love has to start at No 10 against the French. It’s now or never to determine if he can absorb the pressure of test rugby and flourish against stronger, faster defensive lines.

With Will Jordan at fullback should he shake off his calf injury, Caleb Clarke and Fehi Fineanganofo on either wing sounds terrifying for opponents. They are big, powerful runners who can scatter defenders like bowling pins.

Quinn Tupaea and Jordie Barrett are obvious midfield picks after excellent domestic campaigns, as well as Cam Roigard at halfback, who should be orchestrating a more purposeful attacking game that Rennie wants to impose.

At loose forward, the raw athleticism of Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi give them the nod (assuming Sititi has recovered from a nasty head knock) with the automatic pick of the new captain, Ardie Savea, at openside flanker.

With Tupou Vaa’i a concussion doubt, Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu should start at lock with a shade more physicality than the reliable Sam Darry.

Loosehead Xavier Numia, a dynamic prop in sizzling form, is another Hurricanes star worthy of a starting test debut with Fineanganofo.

The tireless Segner makes the bench as loose forward cover after his incredible performances for an underwhelming Blues team.