After a warmup against Japan last week, the All Blacks begin their European Tour with a Test against France in Paris. Join us for live scores from 7.00am AEDT.
Fielding a ‘weakened’ starting XV against the Brave Blossoms, the All Blacks coasted to a 54-6 win and have recalled a host of players to be virtually at full strength against the French.
In come Israel Dagg, Ma’a Nonu, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock and Tony Woodcock, while skipper Richie McCaw and first-five Dan Carter will again start after making successful returns from injury last week.
To further strengthen the the side Owen Franks and Cory Jane will also come back into the side after missing last week with injury.
When the French toured New Zealand back in June the world’s number one side recorded comfortable 23-12, 30-0 and 24-9 victories over the visitors.
That said, France had come off a long domestic season, with the likes of Morgan Parra, Yannick Forestier and Wenceslas Lauret all staying at home.
They’ll come into this Test at the Stade de France significantly more optimistic this time around having the advantage of being rested, compared with the All Blacks who are nearing the end of another gruelling Super Rugby and international season.
With the home side expected to challenge the All Blacks’ scrum through the likes of Nicolas Mas, we should see a far closer contest.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Apparently, Nonu missed five tackles, so he wasn't that outstanding after all.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I'll say this much for Kerr-Barlow: he saved the day against France. Paris wasn't one of Aaron Smith's better performances. He's improved this season against forward packs that put him under pressure, but France rattled him. That chargedown that led to a penalty for France was cringe inducing. The fact that he realised his kick would be charged, tried to work a few more phases and then got it charged down anyway was incredibly frustrating.
Wii
Guest
Yes I am serious
Wal
Guest
The last few games have hi-lighted a few All Black players shortcomings: Kerr-Barlow - too excitable and takes wrong options too frequently Saili - tries to do too much on attack Crockett - not good enough at scrum time Coles - strong around the paddock on attack, but no presence on defence or on turnovers Owen Franks - still an excellent defender but had not been the same at scrum time since Brad Thorn retired Mealaumu - not the same player he was, but still comfortably better than Coles Ben Franks - adds very little and lacks discipline The AB selectors picked the right squad to ensure they had enough experience to try and go unbeaten on this tour, but it is a massive pity Cane, Luatua, Cruden, Toomanga-Allan and Halai haven't been able to start a match against quality teams like England or France away from home... a lost opportunity for the RWC
chann wee
Guest
may be back up for Cane , but not the incumbent 7. NZ have invested in Cane too much to discard him after 3 years :) But Savea is a very good player; he was the saving grace for NZ at JRWC 2013. Cane could become the leading try-scoring forward. Hansen has ear-marked him heir-apparent to the king.
chann wee
Guest
@ Rugby Tragic : "" New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has announced 17 players who will be contracted for the new season, as preparations for the Olympic Games step up a gear. Tietjens said he was very pleased with the calibre of players who have committed to the All Blacks. "This is a very strong squad with a core group of players who have performed consistently well for the team, particularly in the past season, together with some exciting young talent who will help build depth as we move towards the Olympics in 2016," he said. "The really good news is that we now have eight specialist sevens players. This is all part of our plan to build a group of players who can devote themselves to sevens and so play their part in helping us win gold at Rio in 2016." The newcomers are former New Zealand U20 player and Southland back Marty McKenzie and Wellington speedster Ambrose Curtis who made his debut at the Gold Coast Sevens. Young Waikato players Declan O'Donnell and Joe Webber also return to the squad having last played in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Four additional players will be contracted by early next year as part of the All Blacks Sevens Wider Training Group. New Zealand Sevens squad: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Scott Curry (tba), Ambrose Curtis (Wellington), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Bryce Heem (Tasman), Ben Lam (Auckland), Mark Jackman (Canterbury), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Marty McKenzie (Southland), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Declan O'Donnell (Waikato), David Raikuna (North Harbour), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Waikato). ""
jeznez
Roar Guru
Savea looks incredibly promising. He was outstanding against my Tahs this season.
the 3rd hokage
Roar Rookie
wait til the world sees ardie savea, mark my words, after the RWC ardie savea will be the incumbent no7.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Luke Braid I think is on the radar for AB's but probably a fair bit down the pecking order. After the concern of Richie McCaw being difficult to replace, Sam Cane has stepped up to the mark, Matt Todd, is next cab off the rank behind Cane then there are few others, including Luke Braid and Latimer. Then making it more crowded is the powers to be appear to be making an investment in Ardie Savea. Regarding Kurt Baker, I think he is going to focus on the 15's game and I believe he has signed up for the Highlanders for 2014 (not 100% sure of that)
Common Sense
Guest
15. Marshall 14. Halai 13. Nonu 12. Saili 11. Piutau 10. Noakes 9. Weepu 8. Moala 7. Braid 6. Kaino 5. Donnelly 4. Luatua 3. Faumuina 2. Mealamu 1. Woodcock Pretty intimidating really, especially if their world class coaching staff can unite this team and hone their skills.
David
Guest
thanks for the stat and no surprises there and is a testament to thier dominance. Those stats showed that the AB are the most clinical side in the world. Its a reflection of thier 'let the opposition do all the attacking and well wait and pounce on thier mistakes' game plan. Furthermore the ABs won this game based on defense. This is the kind of game that will decide and win world cup. Tense, low try scoring, a lot penalties and it great to see the MIB win these type of games. It has more of a positive effect mentally than winning games 'pretty'.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
In this case, the opposition had more ball because of penalties and All Black mistakes and probably because Peyper plays such a long advantage.
Chan Wee
Guest
any idea why L Braid is not in contention for MIB? as a former IRB junior world player, would have thought him to get a look in. BTW , is Kurt Baker not playing in the 7S team?
Roland Chan
Roar Rookie
Seriously? I don't see anything here other than an observation. And there's a smiley too. :) IT's actually quite normal for the ABs to have less of the ball and still easily win because they quickly score and the opposition then spins it's wheels trying to get through the defence.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
*post match comment* ... neither disappointed!
Wii
Guest
Posts like this just annoy me. The point of the game of rugby is to score more points than your opposition. You have 80 mins to do so it doesn't matter if you only play 10mins of good rugby as long as you score more than your opponent. The best team scores more points as that is after all the point of the game.
Chan Wee
Guest
lies , damn lies & statistics :D cheers
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Piutua was great ben, but 'not perfect'. He missed a couple of tackles that could have been costly
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Lucky thing!
moaman
Guest
I would reserve judgement on the Defence NOS until these two teams square off on a decent surface.Stad de France was pathetic as far as a pitch is concerned.Magnificent stadium,crowd and ambience otherwsie.