Fiji-born winger Sevu Reece is set to rejoin the All Blacks for their highly anticipated match against France in Paris tomorrow morning. Reece will take the spot on the right wing, stepping in for the injured Mark Tele’a.
Coach Scott Robertson has made some significant changes to the team, most notably opting for Beauden Barrett at fly-half instead of Damian McKenzie. Barrett, 33, who missed last week’s victory over Ireland due to a head injury sustained against England on November 2, is expected to make a strong comeback and lead the team in the pivotal role.
In addition to Barrett, the All Blacks have introduced several other new players: scrum-half Cam Roigard, flanker Samipeni Finau, and hooker Codie Taylor, demonstrating a strategic refresh as New Zealand aims to secure their first win against France since 2018.
Patrick Tuipulotu is poised to make his 50th cap off the bench, marking a decade since he first took the field for the national team.
The match will kick off at 8:10 AM (Fiji Time), and fans are eager to see how these lineup changes will impact the game.
New Zealand’s starting lineup includes Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. The substitutes are Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Damian McKenzie.
This match not only represents an opportunity for the All Blacks to prove their resilience amidst challenges but also showcases the depth of talent in New Zealand rugby. With key players returning to form and young talent stepping up, fans have reason to be optimistic about their performance against a formidable French squad.
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