All Blacks v France
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ
The series has been decided but there's still plenty to play for in Hamilton tonight, as the All Blacks and France roll out much-changed teams from last weekend's match in Wellington. Scott Robertson's side prevailed comfortably 43-17 after leading 29-3 at halftime, but little can be read into it given the lineups we see in front of us tonight.
French coach Fabien Galthié has been vocal during the week around the refereeing, will that play a part in a game that is attracting a capacity crowd to FMG Stadium Waikato - the first time the All Blacks and France have played a test here.
Scott Robertson and Fabian Galthie. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Team lists
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (vc), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Dalton Papali'i, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Noah Hotham, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Jordie Barrett
France: 1. Baptiste Erdocio, 2. Pierre Bourgarit, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Matthias Halagahu, 6. Alexandre Fischer, 7. Joshua Brennan, 8. Mickaël Guillard, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Antoine Hastoy, 11. Gabin Villière, 12. Gaël Fickou (c), 13. Nicolas Depoortère, 14. Théo Attissogbé, 15. Léo Barré
Bench: 16. Gaëtan Barlot, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifénua, 20. Killian Tixeront, 21. Pierre Bochaton, 22. Thibault Daubagna, 23. Émilien Gailleton
All Black selections
Luke Jacobson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Locals are calling this side the Mana Blacks or All Chiefs, given the local prominence in selection. No fewer than seven Chiefs players are in the starting team, but while it's tempting to think it's a geographic call, all the picks actually make sense no matter where the team would be playing tonight.
Samisoni Taukei'aho comes in because Codie Taylor needs a rest, Luke Jacobson is there because of Tupou Vaa'i's injury and subsequent loose forward reshuffle, the inside backs have been rotated and the midfield pairing are both deserving of starts.
French selections
Nolan Le Garrec celebrates his try during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between France and England. Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
While the names may not be overly familiar, this is a very strong French side and their most experienced with 350 test caps between them. Skipper Gaël Fickou anchors an exciting backline, with the strike weapons of Gabin Villière, Théo Attissogbé and Léo Barré all very impressive so far on the tour. In the pack, Mickaël Guillard looks like an absolute superstar already, while monstrous lock Matthias Halagahu adds his presence to a big tight five.
Once again, the team will be guided around the park by influential halfback Nolann Le Garrec, who is paired with Antione Hastoy at first five.
Key stats
Will Jordan scores a try. Photo: Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz
All Black lock Fabian Holland has played the entirety of his first two tests, with a tackle count of 31 and a missed tackle count of 0.
The last time France toured New Zealand it ended with an All Black clean sweep, with the third test in the 2018 series being a 49-14 result in Dunedin.
Will Jordan currently needs nine more tries to break Doug Howlett's all time All Black record of 49.
What they're saying
"It was a consideration that they know their way around the park down the road here pretty well. Play a lot of footy together, which always helps. They get to run out in front of their people." - Scott Robertson on his selections from the Chiefs.
"Clearly, we need the scrums and mauls to be refereed properly. We need to be officiated as if we were playing on neutral ground- (he repeats) neutral ground. I'm not usually one to talk much about refereeing, but when I have expectations, I express them." French coach Fabien Galthié.
The last time they met
All Blacks 43 - 17 France
The All Blacks did what they do best in Wellington, hammering a big scoreline on the visitors early and allowing themselves plenty of time to shift gears later in the game. Tries were very slick, especially Tupou Vaa'i's effort in the first half, which came off some fantastic offloads.
What's going to happen
While the team is different, once again the All Blacks will look to turn the game into a track meet as fast as they can. They've shown a couple of different attacking shapes so far in the series, so it's likely they'll combine the two to confuse the French defence. On the other hand, the French kicking game will be crucial to their chances, although the All Blacks showed last weekend that they are more than happy for contestable ball to hit the deck and become counterattack opportunities.
