All Blacks Name Squad To Face France In July Series Opener In Dunedin
All Blacks Name Squad To Face France In July Series Opener In Dunedin
Four debutants named, as All Blacks see France in Dunedin on Saturday. Watch the Lipovitan-D July Series opener live and exclusively on FloRugby in the USA.
A new era under head coach Scott Robertson officially begins Saturday when the All Blacks face France in the opening test of the Lipovitan-D July Series at Forsyth Barr Stadium, a match set to be broadcast live, and exclusively, on FloRugby for viewers in the United States and its territories.
Robertson, alongside selectors Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan, has named a matchday 23 that blends experience with fresh talent, including four debutants, for the highly anticipated series opener.
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Dutch-born lock Fabian Holland and powerful No. 8 Christian Lio-Willie will earn their first caps in the starting XV, while Ollie Norris and Du’Plessis Kirifi are poised to debut off the bench.
“This is a huge moment for these men and their families,” Robertson said. “For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd, and I’m sure their Highlanders and Otago fans will be out in full force.”
Holland’s rise is a remarkable tale.
Inspired by watching the All Blacks sevens team train in his Dutch hometown of Castricum as a child, he moved to New Zealand at 16. Now 22, the Highlanders lock will make his test debut at the very stadium where his professional career began.
“It’s movie stuff, isn’t it?” Robertson said of Holland’s journey. “He’s come a long way. Pretty single-minded from a kid to make that call to come over and represent another country in a game he loves.”
The experienced Scott Barrett (80 caps) will captain the side and partner with Holland in the second row.
Vice-captains Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett return to the starting XV, with Savea moving from his usual No. 8 role to openside flanker in a reshaped back row.
Robertson said Savea’s form at No. 7 this season, particularly during a stint with Moana Pasifika, was key to the selection.
“He’s had a great year and played the majority of it at seven,” Robertson said. “The balance and mix of this week is that he can finish at eight if needed. Whatever is best for the team, he is in.”
In the back line, Beauden Barrett has been named to start at fly-half over Damian McKenzie, a selection sure to spark debate among fans. McKenzie will provide impact off the bench.
“They both had good seasons, but we just felt that Beauden deserved the opportunity,” Robertson explained. “D-Mac can come off the bench to change or finish games. It’s a good combo.”
Barrett will partner Cam Roigard at halfback, while Billy Proctor lines up at outside center in just his third test appearance, alongside Jordie Barrett.
With Proctor in the midfield, Rieko Ioane shifts to the left wing for the first time since 2021, joining Sevu Reece and Will Jordan in a dynamic back three.
Ioane dismissed the notion that France, bringing a squad with 20 uncapped players, is sending a "B-team."
“If I was that team traveling over here, I would have that chip on my shoulder,” Ioane said. “Everyone’s calling them a B-team, but they aren’t. They’re more of a dangerous beast than we’re used to, and we’ve got to expect everything.”
New Zealand’s bench features explosive depth, including Samisoni Taukei’aho, McKenzie, and Quinn Tupaea, as well as debutants Norris and Kirifi, all selected with an eye on finishing strong — something the All Blacks struggled with in 2024.
“We’ve gone for a bit of balance and what complements us,” Robertson said. “The ability for people to make impacts, to come on and speed it up — that’s key.”
France, winner of the last three meetings between the sides, will present a stern challenge, despite the absence of many of their first-choice players.
The All Blacks lead the overall head-to-head 48-15 with one draw, but France holds the unique distinction of being the most successful Northern Hemisphere team against New Zealand.
Saturday’s clash also will mark the return of the Dave Gallaher Trophy, named in honor of the 1905-1906 All Blacks captain who died in World War I.
The last New Zealand win against France came at Forsyth Barr Stadium — also the only prior test between the nations at this venue.
Their Dunedin ledger stands even at one win apiece, making Saturday’s match not only a historic fixture, but one with balance hanging in the air.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday evening in Dunedin, and fans in the United States can catch every moment live, and exclusively, on FloRugby.
All Blacks Lineup
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson, Anton Lienert-Brown
Watch Live in the United States: All matches in the Lipovitan-D July Series will be streamed live, and exclusively, on FloRugby.
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