All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has made five changes to his matchday 23 as they prepare to take on France in Paris on Sunday morning.
Robertson was forced to make some of the changes due to injuries picked up in the Ireland Test, with Sam Cane and Mark Tele'a both unavailable this week.
Hooker Codie Taylor and first-five Beauden Barrett will return to the starting team, after both missed the Test against Ireland last week having experienced head knocks in the All Blacks win over England. The pair successfully completed HIA assessment protocols.
Their replacements, Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie, both return to the bench.
Robertson said it wasn't an easy decision to drop McKenzie out of the starting side, but was confident in the positive impact he can make when he comes on.
"It was very tough, it's a great discussion to have when you have two 10s in-form that are both great tacticians and kicking well," said Robertson.
"The one thing about McKenzie is that he's probably the best off-the-bench player in the world as when he comes on he can change the game, it's just recently he's been doing it as a starter. It's a good discussion and selection headache to have."
The loose forwards have had a re-shuffle following Sam Cane’s head injury against Ireland. Wallace Sititi moves to No. 8, with Ardie Savea coming in to play openside flanker and Samipeni Finau earning a start at blindside.
Robertson said he thinks Savea will slot right into the new role as he's not unfamiliar with it, and that it's a good opportunity for Sititi to play in his preferred position.
Peter Lakai comes in as a replacement for the loose forwards, and could earn his second cap for the All Blacks.
At halfback, Robertson has also made a change with Cam Roigard getting the nod over Cortez Ratima, who was put under pressure against Ireland last week. Roigard is returning from a knee injury he picked up in March, and hasn't started since the All Blacks' win over Japan.
"Cam's been impressive, he's taken his opportunities and we believe this is the match for him, in terms of game management and there will be a fair bit of kicking for both teams as well."
Mark Tele'a has been forced out of the side due to a hand injury, allowing Sevu Reece to return to the right wing.
The All Blacks have played 63 Tests against France and have won 48 times, with 14 losses and one draw.
The last Test between the two sides ended 23-11 in France's favour during the pool stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks will be returning to play at Stade de France, with their last match at the stadium being their 12-11 loss against South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
All Blacks team to take on France in Paris:
1.Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea (Vice-Captain), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain), 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie
Sunday, 9.10am (NZ time).
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