New Zealand, France make mass changes to sides for third Test / Photo: William WEST - AFP
New Zealand, France make mass changes to sides for third Test
New Zealand and France overhauled their teams Thursday ahead of a third and final Test which both sides are viewing as a chance to build for the future.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said he will "trust the young fellas" to complete a series sweep after making 10 starting changes for Saturday's match in Hamilton.
French counterpart Fabien Galthie unveiled eight starting changes from the side hammered 43-17 in the second Test in Wellington.
Galthie recalled six players to the starting side who were involved in the tight 31-27 first Test loss in Dunedin but omitted in Wellington.
Among them are veteran midfield back Gael Fickou -- restored as captain -- experienced prop Rabah Slimani and impressive back-row forwards Mickael Guillard and Alexandre Fischer.
Galthie chose to leave most of his first-choice personnel at home, travelling with a tour party featuring 22 uncapped players and numerous fringe Test contenders.
"This is the best possible team," he told reporters on Thursday, addressing critics of a vastly inexperienced line-up for the second Test.
"It's a difficult time for the team, we hear what's being said. It's part of the game but our determination is redoubled."
Replacement prop Demba Bamba is the only player in Galthie's 23-man match-day squad in Hamilton making his first appearance of the tour.
Scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec and wing Theo Attissogbe will have started in all three Tests while seven players won't have taken to the playing field at all.
Robertson stayed true to his pre-series pledge to give game time to all of his squad's players, with hooker Brodie McAlister poised to make his Test debut from the bench and fullback Ruben Love running out for a first start.
Love and McAlister are among eight players in the 23 who played no part in the first two Tests
Only wing Rieko Ioane is retained from last week's starting back line, with Robertson keen to assess a host of new faces as he builds towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
"When the chances come up, you can't not play them, you've got to get them out there," Robertson said.
"It's the ability to trust the young fellas, set them up to be successful and off you go."
Robertson took comfort that three of the promoted starting players -- prop Tyrel Lomax, fly-half Damian McKenzie and midfield back Anton Lienert-Brown -- have all played more than 50 Tests.
McKenzie replaces 136-Test veteran Beauden Barrett, who suffered a hand injury at training which requires a scan.
Ardie Savea is captain for a second straight match in the absence of regular skipper Scott Barrett, who injured a calf muscle in the first Test.
New Zealand (15-1):
Ruben Love; Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Rieko Ioane; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (capt), Samipeni Finau; Fabian Holland, Patrick Tuipulotu; Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Dalton Papali'i, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Noah Hotham, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Will Jordan.
France (15-1):
Leo Barre; Theo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortere, Gael Fickou (capt), Gabin Villiere; Antoine Hastoy, Nolann Le Garrec; Joshua Brennan, Mickael Guillard, Alexandre Fischer; Matthias Halagahu, Hugo Auradou; Rabah Slimani, Pierre Bourgarit, Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: Gaetan Barlot, Paul Mallez, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Killian Tixeront, Pierre Bochaton, Thibault Daubagna, Emilien Gailleton
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