GAME 1, SEPT 9th, Stade de France, Paris.
Lineup Changes and Key Players for the All Blacks vs. France Rugby World Cup 2023 Opener
His team-mates have dubbed him Mr Fixit, and All Blacks coach Ian Foster was backing veteran midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown to capably fill the void left by the injury defection of Jordie Barrett for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against France.
With Jordie Barrett unable to train, the All Blacks confirmed upon their arrival in Paris on Wednesday afternoon that he was a non-starter for the game, that all of France is talking about, as the World Cup hosts finally open this tournament against the side they say has set the standard in the global event over the years.
Barrett is one of four first-choice All Blacks unavailable for the match, joining lock Brodie Retallick (knee), loosie Shannon Frizell (hamstring) and prop Tyrel Lomax (cut knee) in the stands for the sold-out opening-day encounter. The 26-year-old Barrett injured his knee at Twickenham at the hands of the South Africans, and though Foster confirmed it was not considered serious, it was bad enough to keep him off the training paddock all week in Lyon. The coach said he had no hesitation in turning to the 28-year-old, 63-test Lienert Brown to partner Rieko Ioane in midfield.
Anton is very experienced. He’s had a couple of years that have been disrupted, but behind the scenes he’s worked really hard at his game. He covers 12 and 13, and we just felt Davey [Havili], who is coming back from a long injury, was a little bit underdone.
We’ve gone with Anton’s experience. It’s a big stage, I think he’s craving an opportunity to show he has got his confidence back after quite a disruptive couple of years, and we’ve got a lot of faith in him.
Foster has chosen essentially his strongest available lineup for the tournament opener. There are just three changes from the XV that started the final warmup clash against South Africa at Twickenham, with veteran Nepo Laulala replacing Lomax at tighthead, Codie Taylor resuming at hooker for Dane Coles and Dalton Papalii replacing the unlucky Luke Jacobson at No 6. There are also five tweaks to the bench where Samisoni Taukei’aho and Tupou Vaa’i are the only survivors from London.
Foster explained his decision to go with the more mobile Blues loose forward at No 6 ahead of Jacobson, who covers all three back-row positions off the pine.
The Crusaders pairing of Scott Barrett and veteran Sam Whitelock, who will play his 147th test and edge within one of Richie McCaw’s all time All Blacks record, will again cover the second row in Retallick’s absence, while on the bench Ofa Tuungafasi nudged out Tamaiti Williams for backup loosehead, Fin Christie likewise Cam Roigard for halfback relief and Leicester Fainga’anuku will provide the outside backs impact.
The All Blacks have never lost a pool match at nine previous World Cups and will meet the French for a record eighth time at the global event. A victory at Stade de France would be the New Zealanders 50th at this tournament.
Foster also confirmed wing Emoni Narawa had been ruled out of the World Cup with a back injury and would be heading home. The All Blacks will decide after the French game whether to bring a replacement forward or back over to France, for the rest of the tournament.
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Dalton Papalii, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku.
France (15-1): Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros; Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet
Les Bleus also play Uruguay, Namibia and Italy in Pool A as they bid to win the Rugby World Cup for the first time.
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