
Four All Blacks debutants to face France in first Test
Injuries to Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Wallace Sititi, and Luke Jacobson forced changes to the squad.
Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half, while Rieko Ioane has been moved to the wing.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on Thursday named four uncapped players in New Zealand's matchday 23 for the first of three Test matches against France.
Lock Fabian Holland and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie will start in Dunedin on Saturday, while prop Ollie Norris and flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi will come off the bench for debuts.
"This is a huge moment for these men and their families," Robertson said.
"We are all thrilled for them. For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian's Highlanders supporters and Christian's Otago fans will be out in full force.
"Ollie and Du'Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready."
Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson miss out because of injury.
Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half, picked ahead of Damian McKenzie, while Rieko Ioane, who has been playing in the centres for Auckland Blues, is on the wing.
New Zealand XV (15-1): Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Christian Lio-Willie, Ardie Savea, Tupou Vaa'i; Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett (capt); Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi, Samipeni Finau, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
Incoming Tour (SA time): Saturday, 5 July
New Zealand v France - 09:05
Saturday, 12 July
New Zealand v France - 09:05
Saturday, 19 July
New Zealand v France - 09:05
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Monaco's Pogba 'dreams' of returning to France squad
Paul Pogba has his eye on a return to the France set-up after he was unveiled at Ligue 1 club Monaco on Thursday (Frederic DIDES) Paul Pogba said during his unveiling at new club Monaco on Thursday a return to the French national team "would of course still be a dream and a bonus for me". The 2018 World Cup winner boasts 91 caps for France, but has not represented Les Bleus since March 2022 due to injuries and an 18-month suspension for doping which ended four months ago. Advertisement "It's the wish of every French football player to represent the France national team, but there are stages," said the 32-year-old. "Today I'm at stage one: coming back and performing well. "There are spots to be won and you have to earn them because it's a very, very good group, a great team," he added. In Pogba's absence, France reached the final of the 2022 World Cup but were beaten on penalties by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina. They also reached the semi-finals of the European Championship last year, before losing 2-1 to eventual winners Spain. Midfielder Pogba signed a two-year contract with Ligue 1 club Monaco on Saturday in a bid to relaunch his career. Advertisement The former Manchester United player has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, suspension and an extortion case in which he was the victim. Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year. In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros ($15.3 million) from Pogba in 2022. Having won four Italian league titles with Juventus and the 2017 Europa League with English side Man United, Pogba will now play club football in his home country for the first time in his professional career. cb-eba/gk/nf/pi


Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Scott Robertson names 4 new caps in the All Blacks lineup to play inexperienced France in 1st test
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named four new caps including Netherlands-born lock Fabian Holland in his team to play France in the first rugby test at Dunedin on Saturday. Holland has been named in the starting lineup along with Crusaders backrower Christian Lio-Willie. Chiefs prop Ollie Norris and Hurricanes backrower Du'Plessis Kirifi are on the bench. The 22-year-old Holland was born in the Netherlands and moved to Christchurch as a teenager to play high school rugby before signing with the Dunedin-based Highlanders, first at age-group level, then in Super Rugby. Lio-Willie was initially named in Robertson's squad for the France series as injury cover from Chiefs backrower Luke Jacobson. He has been promoted into the starting lineup in place of Wallace Sititi, World Rugby's Breakout Player of the Year last year, who has an ankle injury. Lio-Willie will play at No. 8 while Ardie Savea will start on the openside flank and lock Tupou Vaa'i on the blindside. 'This is a huge moment for these men and their families,' Robertson said of the new caps. 'We are all thrilled for them. 'For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian's Highlanders supporters and Christian's Otago fans will be out in full force. Ollie and Du'Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready.' Robertson has moved regular outside center Rieko Ioane to the right wing and has named Billy Proctor in the No. 13 jersey for his third test. Proctor will combine in midfield with Jordie Barrett who missed the Super Rugby season while playing for Leinster in Ireland. All three Beauden brothers are in the starting lineup with Beauden at flyhalf and captain Scott at lock where he will combine with Holland. Will Jordan will start at fullback while Damian McKenzie has been named on the bench. Sevu Reece is on the left wing. France has sent an understrength team for the three-match series, choosing not to select players who were involved in the closing rounds of the French Top 14 competition, with the final between Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse played just last Saturday. Still, France has a record of beating the All Blacks when least expected. France beat New Zealand 30-29 in the last match between the teams in November last year. That victory gave France a record-tying third straight victory against the All Blacks, matching their best winning streak from 1994-95. 'Facing France is always special,' Robertson said. 'They bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we've had a fantastic 10 days together, preparing for the three-test series ahead of us.' However, France coach Fabien Galthié named five uncapped players in a hugely inexperienced starting side. Two of those are in the backs with Joris Segonds picked at flyhalf and Tom Spring on the right wing, while in the forwards Giorgi Beria debuts at prop with Tyler Duguid selected at lock and Alexandre Fischer at flanker. There are three other novices named among the reserves for Six Nations champion France , which left out star wingers wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud, while star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont was never considered since he is still recovering from a serious right knee injury. Galthié's side has only three players in the starting lineup with more than 10 test caps: veteran captain Gaël Fickou at center (94 caps), prop Rabah Slimani (57) and left winger Gabin Villière (18). Scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec (10 caps) partners Segonds in a raw halves pairing set to be severely tested in Dunedin given the majority of Robertson's side is vastly experienced and packed with mainstays. The teams are scheduled to play the second test in Wellington on July 12 and at Hamilton a week later. ___ AP Sports Writer Jerome Pugmire in Paris contributed. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!
Today, 3 July 2025, Mike Maignan turn 30. Now in his fourth season with the Club, the French goalkeeper has been a constant source of leadership and a top performer between the sticks. He made 53 total appearances in all competitions in 2024/25 and kept 15 clean sheets. He was often decisive, making a host of great saves, including in the derby against Inter in the Cup and again against Fiorentina. Maignan is such an important member of the group, as the campaign just gone has proven. Since his arrival in 2021, Magic Mike has won the confidence of his teammates and the supporters due to his technical brilliance, calmness and charisma. So, join us now in wishing him all the best for the future. Happy birthday, Mike! The new PUMA Home Kit 2025/26 is available: buy it now!