All Blacks hooker Dane Coles is backing teammate Vaea Fifita to shine against France, with the rookie named to start on the blindside in Paris on Sunday.
Fifita, 25, has impressed so far in his short career with the All Blacks, with his raw physicality matched by his incredible power with ball in hand - something that has caught the eye for Coles, his teammate for both club and country.
"I think he'll handle it pretty well - it's probably the biggest Test match he's played for the All Blacks," Coles said.
"He's taken massive strides being in this team, he puts the work in during the week, he's a quiet man - but I know he does the work."
"I've got no doubt that he'll go out and perform."
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