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Halfback Morgan Parra and five-eighth Remi Tals will form a unique hinge at the centre of the France team as Philippe Saint-Andre named his side on Thursday for Saturday’s one-off Test match against New Zealand in Paris.
The pairing will be the ninth different combination tried out by Saint-Andre since the 2012 Six Nations tournament as he bids to achieve his first win at the helm against the world champions.
Clermont’s Parra was rested during France’s June tour of New Zealand but the 24-year-old, who has 51 caps, returns as a points scorer.
Tals was preferred over Toulouse’s Jean-Marc Doussain, who drops on to the bench after playing in the 24-9 loss to the the world champions in New Plymouth last June.
“It was Morgan’s experience, with a lot of selections and his kicking ability which made the difference,” explained Saint-Andre.
“Jean-Marc works extensively with the goal, he scored in New Zealand, but he is Toulouse’s second or third scorer,” said Saint-Andre, whose side lost the series 3-0 on their June tour of New Zealand.
Tals, who has two caps, made his international debut this summer after winning the French title with Castres. The 29-year-old played a few minutes in France’s crushing 30-0 defeat in Christchurch.
Otherwise there were few surprises with Saint-Andr opting for continuity with Biarritz flanker Wenceslas Lauret and Castres prop Yannick Forestier both returning after missing the June tour.
The 46-year-old Saint-Andre’s record since he took over the job at the beginning of 2012 is a modest seven wins, two draws and nine defeats.
The All Blacks – who only beat the French 8-7 in the 2011 World Cup final – go into the game with a record in their last 30 Tests of 28 victories, one defeat and one draw.
After tackling the All Blacks in Stade de France, France next face Tonga in Le Havre on November 16 and South Africa in Stade de France on November 23.
France: Brice Dulin, Yoann Huget, Florian Fritz, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Mdard, Rmi Tals, Morgan Parra, Wenceslas Lauret, Damien Chouly, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pap, Nicolas Mas, Benjamain Kayser, Yannick Forestier. Reserves: Vincent Debaty, Dimitri Szarzewski, Rabah Slimani, Sbatien Vahaamahina, Antonie Claassen, Jean-Marc Doussain, Camille Lopez, Gal Fickou.
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.