All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the series was still alive and they had given the side a chance to build their combinations, with Rieko Ioane moving to the right wing to replace the injured Sevu Reece, while Caleb Clarke will come in on the left wing.
However, France coach Fabien Galthié has opted for freshness, including the five players who contested the French Top 14 final and arrived late in New Zealand in his team.
Robertson said Ioane, being a good athlete, had learned quickly.
"He's been around for a long time. He's 80 Tests in and there's an opportunity to jump in on the other wing. Players are going to play one or two positions and he's going to get the ball in his hands. He had some nice touches [in Dunedin]."
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu replaces Scott Barrett at lock.
"He's played 52 Tests, is a good lineout caller, physical and he's got a beautiful bit of mana and calmness about him. We're pleased we can bring someone like him in."
"Continuity is a big part of it. This is a three-Test series and we've got one done."
Tuipulotu said he was feeling good ahead of his start and was looking forward to getting onto the field.
"We did a lot of good things [in the first Test]. The set piece went well, but we were rusty and there were some skill errors around the handling. Another week together will put us in good stead. We don't know what the weather will be like in Wellington, so skill execution will be important in the Cake Tin."
Tupou Vaa'i has been given another start on the blindside of the scrum.
"He plays a little bit more on the edge there, but he's got the skill set to do it. He's quick enough. The great thing about him is his footwork at the line,. He's a great defender. It's repetition for him and just a little bit of a change of the number on his back."
Vaa'i said he enjoyed the change and believed he could make a valuable contribution in the role.
"It's on me to go out there and continue to play the way I play. It's just another number on my back. It's always good to do both. It's Test match footy so anything could happen to you. I enjoy playing at six."
Robertson said the intention was for the All Blacks to utilise their skills as much as possible and to adjust them should bad weather affect the contest.
"It's about thinking fast, what's in front of you, what's the opportunity, see it and then we'll go and act on it. There's a lot of instinctual. You can see how we set up across the field to play from anywhere, and if it's on, we'll go."
But, there is also a need to improve their play in the air.
"The aerial game is critical, and the French are very good at it."
Clarke's presence will lift the All Blacks' ability to contest in the air.
"He's a big power athlete, and every time he's been in our team, he's performed. We're looking forward to him getting back to his best
Robertson said the coaches want to see centre Timoci Tavatavanawai show more of his Super Rugby Pacific form when debuting from the bench. His ability to have an impact without the ball was impressive, and it was an opportunity for him to take that to another level.
LIVE on Sky Sport - Saturday 12 July: All Blacks vs France, 19:05PM (NZST). The match is also available in selected territories on NZR+, learn more HERE.
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)
IMPACT: 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)
France
(15-1): Leo Barre, Theo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortere, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Emilien Gailleton, Joris Segonds, Nolann Le Garrec, Esteban Abadie, Jacobus van Tonder, Pierre Bochaton, Matthias Halagahu, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, Gaetan Barlot (capt), Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Paul Mallez, Regis Montagne, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, Thibault Daubagna, Antoine Hastoy