All Blacks team to play France in Wellington double-header

· ALLBLACKS.COM
250705ABs 145
All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their team for the second test against France in the Lipovitan-D July Series at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

LIVE on Sky Sport - Saturday 12 July:  All Blacks vs France, 19:05PM (NZST). Highlights available on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube.  
 

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant)  

1. Ethan de Groot (30)  

2. Codie Taylor (97) (Vice-Captain) 

3. Fletcher Newell (23)  

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (51) 

5. Fabian Holland (1) 

6. Tupou Vaa’i (39)  

7. Ardie Savea (95) (Captain)  

8. Christian Lio-Willie (1) 

9. Cam Roigard (11)  

10. Beauden Barrett (135)  

11. Rieko Ioane (82)

12. Jordie Barrett (69) (Vice-Captain)  

13. Billy Proctor (3)  

14. Emoni Narawa (2)

15. Will Jordan (42)  


16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (31)  

17. Ollie Norris (1) 

18. Pasilio Tosi (8)  

19. Samipeni Finau (9)  

20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (1) 

21. Cortez Ratima (12)  

22. Timoci Tavatavanawai * 

23. Damian McKenzie (62)  


Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Sevu Reece (concussion); Scott Barrett (calf) 

Timoci Tavatavanawai will have the opportunity to earn his first All Blacks cap this Saturday night, becoming the fifth debutant this season so far. He has been named on the bench in one of three changes to the line-up that beat France in Dunedin last weekend. 

With Scott Barrett unavailable for the remainder of the series due to a calf injury, Patrick Tuipulotu comes in at lock and Ardie Savea will captain the side. 

Caleb Clarke will make his first start of 2025 in the 11 jersey, while Rieko Ioane shifts to the right wing. 

“Test series are a unique and exciting opportunity. Both teams now have a better idea of what they’re going to get on Saturday night, and both will lift for this next occasion. We know where we need to improve,” Scott Robertson said. 

“It is also awesome to be part of a double-header with the Black Ferns, who will take on Australia at 4:30pm. We’ve enjoyed connecting with the team this week and know they will put on a spectacle for the fans at Sky Stadium, in their last domestic game before the Rugby World Cup.”  


MATCH FACTS  

  • A win this weekend would see the All Blacks awarded the Dave Gallaher Trophy, for the first time since 2018. The trophy is named after the 1905–06 All Black captain who was killed in Belgium during World War I.  
  • The All Blacks became the first international side to record 500 test wins last weekend, taking 652 matches to do so. France is the nation with the next highest number of test wins, with 460 out of 829.
  • This will be the 30th All Black test match Sky Stadium has hosted since opening in 2000.
  • France has never beaten the All Blacks in Wellington (but has in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin).

LATEST NEWS

View all
Test Preview: All Blacks Stick with Core Squad as France Make 10 Changes
Focusing on continuity in selection, the All Blacks will face a France side with 10 changes from the first Test when they meet in the second Lipovitan-D Test in Wellington on Saturday.
Black Ferns named to face Australia in O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa
Black Ferns selectors have named their match-day 23 to play Australia in the O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa Test match infront of a sold out crowd at Sky Stadium, Wellington on Saturday, July 12, 4.30pm kick-off.
NZ Under 20 Power Past Ireland to Book Semi-Final Spot
New Zealand has stormed into the Semi-Final of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship, dismantling Ireland 69-22 in Calvisano.

“We Need to Be Better”: All Blacks Eye Defensive Lift in Wellington
Improvements in defence will be another challenge for the All Blacks in their second Lipovitan-D Test against France in Wellington on Saturday.
“Fall in Love with Finishing”: Robertson Sets Focus for Wellington
Different conditions will apply when the All Blacks meet France in the second Lipovitan-D Test in Wellington on Saturday, but nothing will change in the goal of improving performance in all areas of the game.
All Blacks look to raise the bar in Wellington
France did everything expected of them in the first Lipovitan-D Test in Dunedin, but having bridged the gap from Super Rugby to Test rugby, the All Blacks, who won 31-27, will be looking to build on their effort in the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.

All Blacks 500: A Milestone Measured in Moments and Stats
The All Blacks created history on July 5, 2025, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, becoming the first international rugby team to reach 500 Test wins.
Black Ferns Turn On the Heat in Whangārei
In a vibrant and competitive encounter in Whangārei, the Black Ferns defeated the Black Ferns XV 45-12.

Scotland Break Through in Thriller to Beat Māori All Blacks for the First Time
Third time lucky proved the case for Scotland when beating the Māori All Blacks for the first time with a 29–26 win in a game that had everything, not all of it good, in Whangārei on Saturday.
Historic 500th Win for All Blacks in Tight Clash with France
Three disallowed All Blacks tries, relentless French defence, and TMO interventions throughout all combined to continue the special rivalry between the two sides before New Zealand achieved its 500th Test victory in the first Lipovitan-D series clash in Dunedin on Saturday.
New Zealand U20 Outmuscle Georgia in the Italian Heat
In sweltering Viadana heat, New Zealand Under 20 proved too hot for Georgia, winning their second match at the World Rugby Under 20 Championships 38-19.
All Blacks v France Preview: Robertson Rolls the Dice in Dunedin
Blending the introduction of new players with the need to find early cohesion in their first Test of the year is the challenge for the All Blacks as they enter their first Lipovitan-D Test against France in Dunedin on Saturday.
Go Behind the Fern with the All Blacks on NZR+
Before the first whistle blows on a massive 2025 season, take a step inside the world of the All Blacks and meet the people behind the jersey.

Māori All Blacks name team to play Scotland
The Māori All Blacks have named their team (tīma) to play Scotland this weekend, as the squad returns home to New Zealand following a 50-23 win over the Japan XV in Tokyo.
All Blacks team named to play France in Dunedin
All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their team to play France in the first match of the three-test Lipovitan-D July Series at Forysth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Opportunity Knocks for France's New Wave in Dunedin
Down on experience they may be, but opportunity beckons for those players representing France in their three-Test Lipovitan-D series starting in Dunedin on Saturday.
Black Ferns v Black Ferns XV trial teams named
The Black Ferns and the Black Ferns XV teams have been named for this Saturday’s match at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei.
Whoever They Pick, France Turn Up to Play – Ardie Savea
All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea is expecting France to be a typically competitive unit in Saturday's opening Lipovitan-D series Test in Dunedin.
'By the Balls' now streaming on NZR+: A gripping look at rugby, politics, and unity
As the All Blacks gear up for the Lipovitan-D July series against France, NZR+ invites fans to step back in time and experience one of the most powerful chapters in New Zealand rugby history with the acclaimed documentary By the Balls.
Robertson on France: “They’re Most Dangerous When Underestimated”
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is wary of France's under-strength side for the Lipovitan-D three-Test series that starts in Dunedin on Saturday.