The mighty New Zealand will face their 2011 world cup final opponents France for the first time since that intense encounter at Eden Park in Auckland. The All Blacks took the final in what was a thrilling encounter with a score line of 8-7.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 51, New Zealand 38, France 12, Draw 1
France tour New Zealand and play three tests in Auckland, Christchurch and finally New Plymouth on the 8th, 15th and 22nd of June respectively. The French will be led by the 2011 IRB player of the year Thierry Dusatoir. The 31 year old flanker has played nearly 60 tests for the Les Blues and has led the side since 2009. He has been a proven leader having led France to the World cup final in 2011 and a Grand Slam in 2010. He has also led his club Toulouse to a French top 14 title in 2010. The All Blacks will be led by Number 8 Kieran Read who is taking charge of the Blacks for the first time. Read will skipper the side in the absence of world cup winning captain Ritchie McCaw who is on a 6 month sabbatical. Read has also captained the Crusaders in McCaw’s absence.
Injury Troubles: The French were forced to leave fly halves Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc in order to give them a break after five seasons. They have also undergone a radical change of personnel with many players who played in their Top 14 competition not arriving until this week and excluded from Test consideration as a result. New Zealand have lost first five-eighths Dan Carter to a cracked bone in his hand while veteran prop Tony Woodcock is also out with an abscess in his nose. Halfback PiriWeepu has been rested after last week’s head knock.
The French, can never be counted out but the All Blacks are coming off the back of a solid season of 2012. France on the other hand have had a horrible season finishing with the wooden spoon in the RBS Six Nations. New Zealand will have to get quickly into gear as a unit and to set the standard from the outset of the series.
Players to Watch: The Blacks five eight Aaron Cruden will start the first test in place of the injured Carter and will definitely not give the French any leeway. Cruden has grown in leaps and bounds since that famous world cup where the youngster had to step in for Carter in the last two weeks. He has been spectacular with the chiefs all season as he was last season in their Super 15 championship.
Keiran Read for the Blacks will be a key player all through the series. The All Blacks skipper has been a force to reckon with at the back of the scrum and the top of the lineout. He has been one of the most dominant players in recent times and will be looked to lead the Kiwis.
For the French, skipper Dusatoir will have to lead from the front like he did in the final 2 years ago. His massive impact around the fringes and his dominance in defense will definitely be a turning point in the series.
New Zealand squad for first test
Starting XV:
1. Wyatt Crockett (11)
2. Dane Coles (4)
3. Owen Franks (45)
4. Luke Romano (11)
5. Brodie Retallick (13)
6. Liam Messam (20)
7. Sam Cane (4)
8. Kieran Read –captain (48)
9. Aaron Smith (13)
10. Aaron Cruden (20)
11. Julian Savea (9)
12. Ma’aNonu (76)
13. Conrad Smith (66)
14. Ben Smith (12)
15. Israel Dagg (25)
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (102)
17. Ben Franks (23)
18. Ben Afeaki *
19. Jeremy Thrush *
20. Victor Vito (20)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (2)
22. Beauden Barrett (5)
23. Rene Ranger (3)
Prediction for first test: New Zealand by 12
