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Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Scott Robertson names four new caps in the All Blacks lineup to play France in the first test
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 DuPlessis 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 Vaai 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 DuPlessis 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 final rounds of the French Top 14 competition. 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 at the 2023 World Cup. '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.' The teams are scheduled to play the second test in Wellington on July 12 and at Hamilton a week later.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Scott Robertson names 4 new caps in the All Blacks lineup to play France in the 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 final rounds of the French Top 14 competition. 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 at the 2023 World Cup. '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.' The teams are scheduled to play the second test in Wellington on July 12 and at Hamilton a week later. ___ AP rugby:
CNA
2 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
All Blacks name four debutants to play depleted France
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has included four debutants in his match-day squad for the series-opening test against a depleted France in Dunedin on Saturday. Uncapped lock Fabian Holland will start in the second row next to captain Scott Barrett, while Christian Lio-Willie will play his first test at number eight alongside openside flanker Ardie Savea and Tupou Vaa'i on the blindside. Prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi will hope to debut off the bench as the All Blacks look to snap a three-game losing streak to the French. "This is a huge moment for these men and their families; we are all thrilled for them," Robertson said of the debutants in a media release on Thursday. "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 opted for an experienced front row with Ethan de Groot, hooker Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell, while Cameron Roigard will partner Beauden Barrett in the halves. "Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality," said Robertson. "We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd." New Zealand team: 15–Will Jordan, 14–Rieko Ioane, 13–Billy Proctor, 12–Jordie Barrett, 11–Sevu Reece, 10–Beauden Barrett, 9–Cam Roigard, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Ardie Savea, 6–Tupou Vaa'i, 5–Fabian Holland, 4–Scott Barrett (capt), 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Ethan de Groot.
CNA
3 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
England name unchanged team for second test against India
England have named an unchanged team on Monday for the second test against India, set to begin on July 2 at Edgbaston, with fast bowler Jofra Archer remaining sidelined. The England and Wales Cricket Board retained the lineup that secured a five-wicket win at Headingley to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Archer, who was added to England's test set-up last week for the first time since 2021, missed training on Monday due to a family emergency, British media reports said. The 30-year-old is expected to rejoin the squad on Tuesday. ENGLAND PLAYING XI
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
England name unchanged team for second test against India
June 30 (Reuters) - England have named an unchanged team on Monday for the second test against India, set to begin on July 2 at Edgbaston, with fast bowler Jofra Archer remaining sidelined. The England and Wales Cricket Board retained the lineup that secured a five-wicket win at Headingley to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Archer, who was added to England's test set-up last week for the first time since 2021, missed training on Monday due to a family emergency, British media reports said. The 30-year-old is expected to rejoin the squad on Tuesday. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicket-keeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
