Iliesa Tora
RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist
Eight players
of Pasifika heritage have been named in the All Blacks
match-day 23 to battle France at One New Zealand Stadium in
Christchurch on Saturday.
Captain Ardie Savea, who is
of Samoan heritage, leads the pack in what is a historic
game for the team’s Pacific connection in their opening
Nations Championship game of 2026.
All Blacks head
coach David Rennie is of Cook Islands heritage, through his
mother, and one of his assistants, Fa’alogo Tana Umaga is of
Samoan origin.
Savea is joined by Peter Lakai and
Caleb Clarke in the starting lineup, in the All Blacks’
first test at the new Christchurch venue. On the bench are
Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi
and Fehi Fineanganofo.
There are likely debuts for
Hurricanes pair Numia and Fineanganofo, two of the four new
caps in the squad.
Aumua is making a comeback after
after missing the 2025 international season because of
injury.
Rennie has been true to his word of selecting
on form, handing the reins at first-five to Ruben Love, who
will start ahead of veteran Beauden Barrett and Damian
McKenzie. Barrett is not in the match-day 23 while McKenzie
will start at fullback.
Savea will start at numbet
eight, while Lakai is named at six for the first
time.
Rennie said the 23 is reflective of Super Rugby
form, as well as crucial Test match experience.
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“There
is no doubt players have forced our hand as selectors
through quality Super Rugby performances. We have selected
an exciting blend of experience and youth, with a powerful
bench that will add impact,” he said.
“We know we will
be facing a formidable French side with a strong set piece,
kicking game and ability to keep the ball alive, so we will
need to be physical, accurate and alert. We’ve worked hard
and connected well over the past nine days. That clarity
will give us the opportunity to express ourselves.
“It
is an honour to play the first Test match at the new
Christchurch stadium and to bring the All Blacks back to
this proud rugby region. What a way to start our season,
playing under the roof in front of a sold-out
stadium.”
Tough lock forward Tupou Vaa’i was not
considered because of concussion.
The Test will be the
All Blacks’ first in Christchurch in four years, and 13
years since the French last played there, which was in the
30-0 loss in 2013.
France and New Zealand have
previously played each other 67 times, with the All Blacks
winning 51 of those. France has only beaten the All Blacks
four times on New Zealand soil.
This will be the 10th
Test match for France in Christchurch, with just one
resulting in a loss for the All Blacks. That was in 1994,
when the match at Lancaster Park was lost 8-22.
The
match kicks off at 7:05pm.
All Blacks
(Test caps in brackets): 1. Ethan de Groot (40), 2. Codie
Taylor (106), 3. Fletcher Newell (35), 4. Josh Lord (12), 5.
Sam Darry (8), 6. Peter Lakai (8), 7. Luke Jacobson (24), 8.
Ardie Savea (106) (Captain), 9. Cam Roigard (17),
10.Ruben Love (5), 11.Caleb Clarke (33), 12. Jordie
Barrett (78), 13.Quinn Tupaea (24), 14.Will Jordan
(54), 15.Damian McKenzie (74).
Bench:
16.Asafo Aumua (20), 17.Xavier Numia *, 18.
Tyrel Lomax (48), 19.Patrick Tuipulotu (56),
20.Wallace Sititi (19), 21.Cortez Ratima (21),
22.Billy Proctor (11), 23.Fehi
Fineanganofo*
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