Barrett back at 10 for All Blacks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to play France at Stade de France, Paris.
There are five personnel changes to the starting fifteen this week, including the return of hooker Codie Taylor and first flyhalf Beauden Barrett following the successful completion of HIA assessment protocols.
Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie will be ready to make an impact off the bench.
A head injury to Sam Cane in the Ireland match has resulted in a rejigged loose-forward trio; Samipeni Finau comes in at blindside, Ardie Savea shifts to openside and Wallace Sititi will play at No.8.
Peter Lakai will provide loose forward cover with the opportunity to notch up his second All Blacks cap.
Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima will again share the scrumhalf duties, with Roigard in the starting No.9 jersey this week.
Sevu Reece returns to the right wing, with Mark Tele’a out due to a hand injury.
The winner of the Test will be awarded the Dave Gallaher Trophy, which All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said has provided plenty of inspiration for the team this week.
“It has been special to be here in Paris during Armistice Day,” Robertson said.
“We have honoured those commemorations as a team and also acknowledged the significance of the Dave Gallaher Trophy, named after one of our greatest All Black Captains who led the ‘Originals’ in the first ever Test match against France, and lost his life 11 years later in World War I. This is a trophy we would love to hold, and the players are prepared to take their opportunity in Paris this Saturday night.”
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevy Reece, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyral Lomax, 2 Codie Talor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.
Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT; Sunday, November 17; 09.10 NZ time)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
