All Blacks a blend of old and new under Dave Rennie

All Blacks coach Davie Rennie has included just four of the Super Rugby Pacific title-winning Hurricanes in his first Test team to play France in the Nations Championship in Christchurch.

All Blacks

Hurricanes wingers Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo scored 34 tries (17 each) in the Hurricanes record-breaking season but neither starts against France. Rennie has opted for Will Jordan at right wing and Caleb Clarke on the left wing. Jordan’s shift to the wing means Damian McKenzie is accommodated at fullback.

Fineanganofo is one of two uncapped players among the substitutes, along with Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia. Five Hurricanes make the bench which brings the representation to nine in the match 23.

The big talking point was the No 10 jersey, and Canes Ruben Love gets to start. He was superb in the 60-5 Super Rugby Pacific Finals win against the Chiefs in Wellington. He is partnered at halfback by Cam Roigard.

Ruben Love Career as per all.rugby

• Wellington Lions (2019 – 2020)
• Hurricanes (2020 – 2020)
• Wellington Lions (2020 – 2020)
• Hurricanes (2021 – 2021)
• Wellington Lions (2021 – 2021)
• Hurricanes (2021 – 2021)
• Wellington Lions (2021 – 2021)
• Hurricanes (2022 – 2022)
• Wellington Lions (2022 – 2022)
• Hurricanes (2022 – 2022)
• Wellington Lions (2022 – 2022)
• Hurricanes (2023 – 2023)
• Wellington Lions (2023 – 2023)
• Hurricanes (2023 – 2023)
• Wellington Lions (2023 – 2023)
• Hurricanes (2024 – 2024)
• Wellington Lions (2024 – 2024)
• Hurricanes (2024 – 2024)
• Wellington Lions (2024 – 2024)
• Hurricanes (2025 – 2025)
• Wellington Lions (2025 – 2025)
• Hurricanes (2025 – 2026)

Love starting positions 

• Fullback : 56 times (67% )
• Flyhalf : 28 times ( 33% )

Ardie Savea captains the team from No 8, with Chiefs No 8 Wallace Sititi a substitute.

All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (Captain),  Luke Jacobson,  Peter Lakai, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot: Substitues: Asafo Aumua,  Xavier Numia*, Tyrel Lomax,  Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi,  Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor,  Fehi Fineanganofo*

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What Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad means for the Springboks and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour

Rennie has retained 13 of the match 23 that lost 33-19 to England at Twickenham last November.

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan. 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie.

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