All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has unveiled his first Test team for 2025 to take on France in Dunedin on Saturday, with four debutants named in the 23.

Dutch-born lock Fabian Holland and loose forward Christian Lio-Willie were named in the starting XV, while prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi will come off the bench.

“This is a huge moment for these men and their families; we are all thrilled for them. For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian’s Highlanders supporters and Christian’s Otago fans will be out in full force. Ollie and Du’Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready,” said Robertson.

An experienced front row of Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell will face the French pack, with recalled All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and 7-Test prop Pasilio Tosi in the reserves. Captain Scott Barrett pairs with Holland at lock and Samipeni Finau prepares to make an impact off the bench.

Scott Barrett of the New Zealand All Blacks on the attack during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Tupou Vaa’i will start at blindside flanker, a position he has occasionally played for the All Blacks and Chiefs.  Vice-Captain Ardie Savea will wear the No.7 jersey and Kirifi will provide loose forward cover. 

Cam Roigard and Beauden Barrett start and 9 and 10 respectively, with Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie set for impact roles. 

Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor will combine in the midfield, with Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan in the back three, and Test recall Quinn Tupaea providing cover. 

“Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we have had a fantastic ten days together, preparing for the three-test series ahead of us. We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd,” Robertson said.

Later Thursday, France coach Fabien Galthie named eight uncapped players, including five starters, in a depleted squad.

Tom Spring is set to make his debut on the right wing in Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks while Joris Segonds will earn his first cap at flyhalf.

Alexandre Fischer will earn his first cap in the back row, Tyler Duguid in the second row and Giorgi Beria as prop.

Props Paul Mallez and Regis Montagne, along with versatile forward Jacobus van Tonde will hope to debut off the bench.

Captain Gael Fickou, who is the most-capped player in the squad (94 caps), will lead the side from the centre while veteran prop Rabah Slimani will return to international rugby for the first time since October 2019.

Pierre-Louis Barassi, Pierre Bochaton, Joshua Brennan, Nicolas Depoortere and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, who all played in the Top 14 final last Saturday, are out of the squad and will be available for the second and third tests.

France team:

15–Theo Attissogbe, 14–Tom Spring, 13–Emilien Gailleton, 12–Gael Fickou (capt), 11–Gabin Villiere, 10–Joris Segonds, 9–Nolann Le Garrec, 8–Mickael Guillard, 7–Killian Tixeront, 6–Alexandre Fischer, 5–Tyler Duguid, 4–Hugo Auradou, 3–Rabah Slimani, 2–Gaetan Barlot, 1–Giorgi Beria.

Replacements: 16–Pierre Bourgarit, 17–Paul Mallez, 18–Regis Montagne, 19–Romain Taofifenua, 20–Cameron Woki, 21–Jacobus van Tonder, 22–Baptiste Jauneau, 23–Antoine Hastoy.

All Blacks (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant) 
  
1.   Ethan de Groot (29) 
2. Codie Taylor (96) 
3.   Fletcher Newell (22) 
4.   Scott Barrett (80) (Captain) 
5. Fabian Holland * 
6.   Tupou Vaa’i (38) 
7.   Ardie Savea (94) (Vice-Captain) 
8.   Christian Lio-Willie * 
9.   Cam Roigard (10) 
10. Beauden Barrett (134) 
11. Rieko Ioane (81) 
12. Jordie Barrett (68) (Vice-Captain) 
13. Billy Proctor (2) 
14. Sevu Reece (32) 
15. Will Jordan (41) 

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (30) 
17. Ollie Norris * 
18. Pasilio Tosi (7) 
19. Samipeni Finau (8) 
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi * 
21. Cortez Ratima (11) 
22. Quinn Tupaea (14) 
23. Damian McKenzie (61) 

Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone)