All Blacks team: Scott Robertson appeases fans with long-awaited Ardie Savea switch as Damian McKenzie dropped once again
All Blacks back-row Ardie Savea, who has switched to openside, in action against Ireland and playmaker Damian McKenzie.
Ardie Savea will start his first Test at flanker for over three years after moving from number eight for their encounter with France.
Scott Robertson has so far been reluctant to shift the World Rugby Player of the Year from number eight but, due to their injury crisis, he has been moved to openside.
Savea’s last appearance in the number seven jersey came against the Springboks in their 31-29 defeat in the Rugby Championship in October 2021.
That means breakout star Wallace Sititi will play in his favoured position at the base of the scrum with Samipeni Finau coming into the loose trio at blindside.
Despite the loss of Sam Cane, which has resulted in those alterations, the All Blacks have been boosted by the return of Codie Taylor, who comes back into the front-row.
Barrett brothers start
Taylor packs down at hooker alongside props Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax, while Tupou Vaa’i and captain Scott Barrett continue at lock.
Behind the scrum, there is a significant call at fly-half as Beauden Barrett returns to the starting line-up after missing the Ireland clash due to a head injury.
Damian McKenzie produced a fine display in his absence, going some way to answering his critics by starring in Dublin, but Robertson evidently sees Barrett as his first choice at the moment.
He will partner Cam Roigard, who comes in for Cortez Ratima at half-back after the Chiefs man struggled in the victories over England and Ireland.
Outside of the playmakers, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are once again at centre with Sevu Reece, who replaces the injured Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan in the back three.
France team v All Blacks: Bordeaux flyer handed debut as Fabien Galthie makes four changes
Meanwhile, Asafo Aumua returns to the bench after starting last weekend and he is joined by Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi as the front-row cover.
Patrick Tuipulotu will earn his 50th cap if he comes onto the pitch but, at the other end of the experience spectrum, youngster Peter Lakai could make just his second appearance.
There is an all-Chiefs combination ready to make an impact in Ratima and McKenzie, and they are joined by another club team-mate in Anton Lienert-Brown to complete the 23.
“It has been special to be here in Paris during Armistice Day,” Robertson said. “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.”
All Blacks team to face France
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie
Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:10 local (20:10 GMT, 09:10 NZDT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
