Fly-half Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor are reinstated to the starting XV after missing the win against Ireland last Friday night in Dublin. Elsewhere, in three further changes to the starting line-up, Samipeni Finau is named at blindside, Sevu Reece returns to the right wing, and Cam Roigard is named in the number nine jersey.
There is a shift in the back row to accommodate Finau's inclusion, as one of the most impressive players of the Autumn Nations Series so far, Wallace Sititi, moves to number eight from blindside, with Ardie Savea now at openside.
The two teams last met at the same Stade de France venue in the opener of the 2023 World Cup, a game in which the hosts prevailed 27-13. France also won the previous meeting during the 2021 Autumn Nations Series, so will be seeking a third win in a row against an All Blacks team on a high after wins against Ireland and England. France go into this match off the back of a huge win against Japan last weekend.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion this weekend, going beyond the realms of sport: “It has been special to be here in Paris during Armistice Day. 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.”
Unavailable due to injury: Sam Cane (concussion), Mark Tele’a (hand), Sam Darry (knee), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali'i (upper hamstring).
New Zealand team to face France
15. Will Jordan (39)
14. Sevu Reece (31)
13. Rieko Ioane (79)
12. Jordie Barrett (67) (Vice-Captain)
11. Caleb Clarke (27)
10. Beauden Barrett (132)
9. Cam Roigard (8)
1. Tamaiti Williams (17)
2. Codie Taylor (93)
3. Tyrel Lomax (42)
4. Scott Barrett (78) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (36)
6. Samipeni Finau (7)
7. Ardie Savea (92) (Vice-Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (8) Replacements
16. Asafo Aumua (18)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (66)
18. Pasilio Tosi (6)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (49)
20. Peter Lakai (1)
21. Cortez Ratima (10)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (82)
23. Damian McKenzie (60)
