All Blacks determined to finish long tour on emphatic note

New Zealand's Jordie Barrett dejected after the Ireland loss. Photo / Getty Images.

There is no shortage of hurdles to clear as the All Blacks seek to harness their hurt and finish this year's odyssey on an emphatic note. France in Paris is the obvious obstacle, a not insignificant one at that. Yet approaching the end of a long, arduous tour, several other pressing challenges await.

Selection reveals tactical aims. By ushering in seven changes to his starting team, many of which carry a fine line between risk and reward, Ian Foster is clearly attempting to counter mental and physical fatigue.

Defeat in Dublin confirmed the All Blacks were wanning. While in good spirits prior to the Irish loss, 12 tests over 10 weeks largely confined to hotels has extracted a mental toll. After Dublin, where the All Blacks were forced to make 238 tackles, Foster sensed further fatigue particularly in his forward pack that bore the brunt of their heavy defensive burden.

By injecting Dane Coles and Sam Cane into his starting pack and thrusting influential halfback Aaron Smith in for his first test in three months, Foster has turned to old heads to bring new spark. It's a similar theme, albeit with vastly less experienced candidates, with Akira Ioane replacing Ethan Blackadder at blindside and Quinn Tupaea thrown in to fill the void at second five-eighth for the biggest test of his budding career.

"This is a massive test for him but we've got a lot of faith in him," Foster said. "He's been with us now; he knows our ways. I'm really confident he'll have the temperament to deal with this occasion."

Leaving Dalton Papalii out of the squad altogether, despite his standout performance in Dublin where he made 28 tackles and laid on Codie Taylor's first half try, underlines the desire to embrace those who have not shouldered the heaviest load.

The inherent danger of this week is thoughts drifting towards reunions with family and friends after completing two-weeks in MIQ. Lose sight of the French threat, don't respond from last week's performance, and a long, frustrating summer beckons.

"I wouldn't call it a slog, I would call it the longest tour I've ever done," Foster said. "There's no doubt everyone is aware we're going home soon but getting that mindset and mentality to overcome those sorts of thoughts and focus on this week has been key for us.

"We've gone down the path of making a few changes we think are going to maximise the energy in this group. We've had some players miss out on this particular team who have been massive contributors through this campaign but we really believe the team needs an injection of freshness for this challenge.

"The team looked a bit off the mark last week and bringing in some freshness is exactly what we need. We've seen that injection of mental freshness come through this week."

While changes bring energy, they also bring new combinations. The All Blacks will field their ninth loose forward trio in their past 10 tests, reflecting this year's regular rotation. Frequent change has exposed depth and managed workloads but it's also significantly hindered the ability to establish combinations across the park.

"It was very hard to settle on one group of players and run them through the whole programme because the schedule and circumstances made that impossible."

Heat will be put on the All Blacks forward pack to deliver the dominant platform absent in defeats to Ireland and the Springboks this year. France will come hard at the All Blacks breakdown which demands ball carriers and cleaners win the collisions.

Coles, sporting a black eye from last week's defeat, challenged the pack lift.

"We gave the Irish a lot of ball, and the physicality was nowhere near where it needed to be so that's two points that we've probably taken out of the week to make our game a lot better," Coles said.

With the ball the All Blacks do secure, they must improve their decision-making. Too often last week they were flustered behind the gain line. That manifested itself in aimless kicking, running high into contact and pushing passes – all of which resulted in turnover ball.

Richie Mo'unga, one of two injury-enforced changes, should savour greater time and space on the end of Smith's superb pass. After two lacklustre outings it's imperative Mo'unga seizes control and commands this test to help lead the way for 22-year-old Tupaea.

Despite standing on the verge of the All Blacks dropping three tests for the first time since 2009, Foster is showing no signs of panic.

"Every test is season-defining when you're in a black jersey," Foster said. "This team has achieved some great things this year. We've played some good rugby; we've now come and had experience in the Northern Hemisphere that a number of players haven't had.

"We've got to show our learning from last week and be sharper in how we make decisions and use the opportunities we get. If we can do that, I'll be a satisfied coach."

France, traditionally an unpredictable beast, have transformed into a much more consistent side over the past two years as they plot towards a home World Cup in 2023 under Fabien Galthie, while building depth to rival New Zealand and South Africa.

In front of a 79,000 sell-out crowd they will hope to mix passion, emotion with skill and power to secure their first win against the All Blacks in Paris since 1973. Coming off tests against Argentina and Georgia, France won't, though, be used to the pace the All Blacks will try impose.

"They've got a licence to play. They've got a lot of enthusiasm through their youth and the work of their loose forwards is strong. I'm sure they'll be reasonably confident being at home. For us it's another great occasion and we've got to make sure we challenge their experience and decision-making. It bodes well to finish a strong campaign."

All Blacks:

Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock (capt), Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bower, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tupou Vaa'i, Shannon Frizell, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, David Havili.

France:

Melvyn Jaminet, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Gabin Villière, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Gregory Alldritt, Francois Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki, Uini Antonio, Peato Mauvaka Cyril Baille.

Reserves: Gaëtan Barlot, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Thibaud Flament, Dylan Cretin, Maxime Lucu, Mathieu Jailbert.