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Vaea Fifita retains All Blacks number 6 spot, returning veterans including SBW named to start against France

November 9, 2017

Fifita has been named to start for NZ against the France in Paris on Sunday. (Source: Other)

The All Blacks are taking no risks against the French, bringing in their senior members and naming their strongest team to face France in Paris on Sunday.

Veterans returning to the All Blacks' starting XV include captain Kieran Read, hooker Dane Coles, lock Sam Whitelock, halfback Aaron Smith and midfielders Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty.

Vaea Fifita has been named at blindside flanker with Jerome Kaino ruled out for the rest of the northern hemisphere tour due to a knee injury against the Barbarians in London last weekend.

Rieko Ioane is back on the left wing and Damian McKenzie has been named at fullback.

Wyatt Crockett and Matt Todd also return to the matchday 23 providing loosehead prop and loose forward cover on the bench.

All Blacks coach said the match against France will be chance for his side to build and develop their skill sets.

Sam Cane and Ryan Crotty said they expect the same passion and flair no matter who is playing.

"This weekend is another opportunity for us to continue growing our standards, our game and our skill sets. If we can do that and put in a complete 80-minute game we'll go a long way to putting in a performance we can all be proud of," said Hansen.

"Having said that, France are an exciting team and playing France in Paris is one of the biggest challenges in rugby.

"While most of our players know what to expect, six of the matchday 23 haven't played the French before (Kane Hames, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Vaea Fifita, Lima Sopoaga and McKenzie) so it'll be a new experience for them and an exciting challenge for the entire squad."

All Blacks: 1. Kane Hames, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c) 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Ryan Crotty, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Damian McKenzie.

Reserves: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Matt Todd, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Lima Sopoaga, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

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