Former All Blacks prop John Afoa on the first test between the All Blacks and France in Dunedin. He tells Ryan Bridge what he makes of the changes to the squad.
French coach Fabien Galthie has named five newcomers in his starting XV and a further three more on the bench to face the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday.
First five-eighths Joris Segonds, flanker Alexandre Fischer, lock Tyler Duguid, prop Giorgi Beria, and winger Tom Spring will make their debutsin the opening test.
Perpignan’s Beria did play in an unofficial test against Uruguay last year.
The bench features likely debutants in props Paul Mallez and Régis Montagne, along with South African-born lock Jacobus Van Tonder.
Mickael Guillard and Gael Fickou are the only two players in the starting side to have played in France’s last Six Nations test against Scotland in March, while Fickou, named captain this weekend, is the only member of the 23 who started against the All Blacks last November.
The other notable selection decisions saw Tupou Vaa’i shift from lock into No 6, for the first time since the opening match of the 2023 World Cup, and Rieko Ioane return from the midfield to the left wing, where he began his All Blacks career.
French side
1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Hugo Auradou, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 7 Killian Tixeront, 8 Mickael Guillard, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 10 Joris Segonds, 11 Gabin Villière, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 13 Emilien Gailleton, 14 Tom Spring, 15 Theo Attissogbe.
Reserves: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy.
For live commentary of this weekend’s All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
