New Zealand v France - teams and prediction

PREVIEW: All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said his team does not feel disrespected by their French opponents, who named eight uncapped players for Saturday’s Test match in Dunedin.

Speaking at the end of a team training at the Otago Stadium in Dunedin, Barrett said his team would not take lightly a French team lacking experience.

“We’re certainly not reading into anything, that it’s a weakened French side,” Barrett told reporters.

“Any French side, you have to give the utmost respect, and we’ve certainly prepared like that.

“We haven’t had much success in recent years against the French, so we’re looking to turn that around.”

The French squad comprises 20 uncapped players out of a total of 42 tourists.

Many of the best French players were left at home, owing to injury or the long European season.

“I don’t think it’s disrespectful,” Barrett said of the team French coach Fabien Galthie had selected.

“Fabien and their management will select a team that’s appropriate to play us tomorrow [Saturday], and with debutants and a mix of experience on the bench I’m sure they’ll be firing everything at us.”

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All Blacks coach Scott Robertson echoed those sentiments Thursday, saying France had enviable depth.

“This is when they’re probably at their most dangerous when they’re underestimated,” Robertson said.

“It’s quite nice that you guys tell the story that they’re depleted and all that, then they get their backs up and we get a ferocious French team.”

The All Blacks will be able to lean on the experience of three Barrett brothers on Saturday – captain Scott, flyhalf Beauden, and inside centre Jordie have more than 280-caps combined for New Zealand.

But add in uncapped flank Du’Plessis Kirifi, and you have four players who worked the Barrett family farm.

“Du’Plessis was good friends with Jordie at school, and he came out to the farm,” Scott Barrett said.

“We were doing home kill one day, and he mucked in and helped out. So it’s great to see him get his opportunity tomorrow [Saturday].

“I said personally to Du’Plessis that he’s certainly ready for Test match rugby.

“He plays a physical game, combative, loves the breakdown, so he’s going to be a real asset to this team going forward.”

And speaking of his brother Jordie, who has just returned from a sabbatical playing for Leinster, Scott Barrett said he has added to his skill set during his time away.

“It’s been a great experience for him. He’s brought a few things back which is great for this group and I’m sure he’ll be looking to put a great performance in.”

Players to watch

For New Zealand: Coach Scott Robertson named four uncapped players – Lock Fabian Holland and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie in the starting XV, with prop Ollie Norris and flank Du’Plessis Kirifi set to come off the bench. Beauden Barrett will start at flyhalf ahead of Damian McKenzie, brother Jordie next to him at inside centre, while Rieko Ioane, who has been playing in the centres for the Blues, is on the wing. Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson miss out because of injury.

For France: Les Bleus continue their love affair with foreign-born players, South African Jacobus van Tonder one of three replacements who could make their debuts. Only Gael Fickou, who captains the side, and to an extent Mickael Guillard could be considered first choice selections. Guillard impressed in that position against a second string England outfit a week-and-a-half ago and combines with Killian Tixeront and one of the debutants, Alexandre Fischer, in the back row. The other rookies to start against the All Blacks are lock Tyler Duguid, prop Giorgi Beria, flyhalf Joris Segonds and wing Tom Spring.

Head to head

Recent results

Prediction

@rugby365com: New Zealand by 16 points

Teams

New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie.

France: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Tom Spring, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Joris Segonds, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Mickael Guillard, 7 Killian Tixeront, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Tyler Duguid, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 1 Giorgi Beria.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy.

Date: Saturday, July 5
Venue: Otago Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.05 (09.05 French time; 07.05 GMT)
Expected weather: It is an indoor stadium, so it won’t be impacted by external weather.
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)