Ruben Love starts at No 10 as Dave Rennie springs a few surprises for first test of the year
Thursday, 2 July 2026
Ruben Love has won the race for first crack in the All Blacks’ No 10 jersey.
However, in one of a few surprises sprung by new head coach Dave Rennie, Damian McKenzie will also start against France in Christchurch on Saturday night.
McKenzie has been named at fullback for the first test in the Rennie era, meaning Will Jordan will play on the right wing.
Blues winger Caleb Clarke rounds out the back three after getting the nod on the back of his ability under the high ball, Rennie said, meaning neither record-breaking Hurricanes flyer is in the starting XV.
Fehi Fineanganofo, who along with Josh Moorby scored a Super Rugby record 17 tries this year, has been named on the bench.
He’s one of two uncapped players in the 23, with loosehead prop Xavier Numia also set to make his All Blacks debut off the bench.
Rennie admitted the loose forwards mix was hotly debated when he and fellow selectors Neil Barnes and Sir Graham Henry sat down, before they settled on captain Ardie Savea moving from openside flanker to No 8.
Having started 10 games in the No 7 jersey for the All Blacks last year, Savea’s switch means Luke Jacobson will start in his old spot, while Peter Lakai will start at blindside flanker.
“I suppose it's just numbers on the back for me. Sounds like some people got quite excited about the change, but all of those guys have played a little bit of eight,” Rennie said.
“We like Luke, Luke's tough. He'll have a real physical presence against the French, and we think that's really important. Both Pete and Ardie will also give us post tackle presence, but excellent athletes who suit our type of game.”
Lakai was immense at No 8 for the Hurricanes this year, and started four tests there last year. He has not made a first-class start in the No 6 jersey.
However, Rennie defended the move, pointing out the ‘only difference’ was he would be packing down at No 6 at scrums.
“We like Ardie at No 8. We could have played Ardie at No 7. What they’ve got is a complementary skill-set, exciting to see them work together.”
A year after Beauden Barrett started 10 of the All Blacks’ 13 tests at first five-eighth, the veteran has not been named in the 23.
Indeed, it is time for the selectors to find out if Love, who has five test caps to his name, can carry his strong form in the Hurricanes No 10 jersey into the test arena.
“He was outstanding [for the Hurricanes]. I'm sure there won't be too many arguments about that selection, he sits in around Cam [Roigard] and Jordie [Barrett], which will give him a lot of comfort,” Rennie said.
“He's really confident, really clear, he's spent a lot of time with [attack coach] Mike Blair, his ability, even in meetings, running things, has been impressive.”
Rather than roll with another Hurricane at centre, Rennie has opted for Chiefs second-five eighth Tupaea in the No 13 jersey over Billy Proctor.
Tupaea, arguably the most destructive ball carrier in the team, started two tests in the No 13 jersey last year and looked the part.
“I wouldn’t say hard,” Rennie said on picking the team. “There’s always good people missing out, so you’re having conversations with guys who are really close to maybe playing their first test as an All Black, to someone like a Beauden, who has been around for a long time.
“I’ve been really impressed with Beauden, I haven’t coached Beauden before, his contribution has been massive, he’s training really well, he’s been impressive.”
As for moving Jordan, one of just three Crusaders in the 23 for the first test at the 30,000 capacity One New Zealand Stadium, Rennie said he spoke to him during the Super Rugby season regarding where he preferred to play.
Jordan, having admitted he would have always opted for fullback a couple of years ago, made it clear he was more than happy to play on the wing.
“I think the type of game that we will play, he will get his hands on the ball a lot. Having a couple of guys in the backfield with that kind of skill set - great aerially, excellent kicking games - optimistic we'll have a crack when it's on, it’s really exciting for us,” Rennie said, adding having ‘the best two fullbacks in the world’ on the park at the same time excited him.
Lock Tupou Vaa’i (concussion) and prop Pasilio Tosi (’niggle’) were unavailable for the test.
All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (capt), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Feh Fineanganofo.
Stuff readers select their starting XV
Ahead of the official squad naming, we invited readers to select their All Blacks line-up against France, with Stuff’s team selector. See how readers voted below:
No one scored 15 out of 15 because Peter Laki, announced as Blinside Flanker - was not in our list of contenders for that potion.
But no one scored 14 out o15 either.
These are the people who scored 13 out of 15: Mike Davey, Kathy Moor, Peter M J Conrad, Ralph.
How well did your selection line up with the official squad? Any surprises from today’s naming? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you’re using the Stuff app on iOS you’ll need to view Stuff.co.nz on a browser to view and post comments.