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After a scratchy performance at Eden Park last weekend, the All Blacks will be out to step it up when they meet France in Christchurch this evening. We’ll have live scores from 5.35pm AEST.
The ten-point win over the French certainly wasn’t pretty, and while an inspired French effort might have had something to do with it, coach Steve Hansen will be demanding improvement tonight.
Already the All Blacks boss has singled out under-performing backs Israel Dagg and Julian Savea, who through various reasons weren’t at their best last Saturday night.
A repeat performance tonight and the pair might expect to be watching from the sideline in the third Test in New Plymouth next Saturday.
Hansen had named an unchanged starting XV from the one that played in Auckland last week but a hamstring injury to lock Brodie Retallick during the week has forced a swtich.
Jeremy Thrush had been expected to be promoted from the bench, but Crusaders second-rower Sam Whitelock has been named to make an earlier-than-expected return from a finger injury suffered against the Chiefs three weeks ago.
After missing the first Test with injury Piri Weepu and Tony Woodcock both come back into the 22, but Hansen could only find a place on the bench for the pair.
With some of their Top 14 stars traipsing down to New Zealand late after the conclusion of the French domestic season, France were somewhat understrength last weekend, opting to rest those who had been involved in the Top 14 finals series.
Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has re-introduced experienced flyhalf Frederic Michalak and prop Nicolas Mas, while flanker Bernard Le Roux has been called in to make his Test debut for the injured Fulgence Oeudraogo, making four changes overall.
65-Test veteran Michalak has been in and out of the French team in recent years and has played more in the number nine jersey than ten in recent tours, but Saint-Andre appears to have gone with experience in favour of Camille Lopez, who debuted last Saturday night.
France bounced back from their loss to the All Blacks on Saturday night by taking on the Blues in a tour match, which they comfortably won 38-15.
Will the All Blacks take it up another notch after last weekend, or can the French cause an unlikely upset?
Find out from 5.35pm AEST and leave your thoughts in the space below.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.