Coach Dave Rennie promised bold and attacking rugby, and his first team selection would suggest he wasn’t lying.
Rennie said he wanted this All Blacks team to be “optimistic” and put his money where his mouth was, giving Ruben Love the No.10 jersey for Saturday’s test against the French.
Love encapsulated the style Rennie wanted to play – bold, innovative, enterprising.
Rennie said handing Love the keys to the backline was an easy choice in the wake of the 25-year-old’s Super Rugby winning form for the Hurrricanes.
“He was outstanding. I’m sure there won’t be too many arguments about that selection. He sits in amongst Cam (Roigard) and Jordie (Barrett) which will give him a lot of comfort. He’s really confident, really clear.”
All Blacks winger Will Jordan said Love had earned his shot.
“Rubes has certainly bided his time in this environment, and he gets a chance to go out there and put his mark on the jersey this week. He’s got a real confidence about him, so no doubt he’ll go out there and back his ability.”
Dave Rennie says he wants the ABs to be “optimistic”.
RNZ / Baz Macdonald
Further illustrating Rennie’s desire for expansive rugby, he had opted to include both Damian McKenzie and Jordan in his starting XV.
“Two of the best fullbacks in the world, both on the field at the same time,” Rennie said.
“I spoke to Will maybe a couple of months ago when I was down here with the Crusaders, spoke to him about fullback versus wing. He’s happy with either.”
Rennie said both Jordan and Caleb Clarke’s ariel skills would be greatly beneficial against the French, deciding not to pull the trigger on Fehi Fineanganofo to start, instead bringing the Hurricane’s flyer off the pine.
“I think the type of game that will play, he’ll get his hands on the ball a lot and having a couple of guys in the backfield with that sort of skill set. We’ll have a crack when it’s on.”
Rennie also showed he’s not afraid to name players out of position, opting for Luke Jacobson at seven with skipper Ardie Savea at number eight and Peter Lakai on the blindside.
“I suppose it’s just numbers on the back for me. We like Luke. Luke’s tough. He’ll have a real physical presence against the French and we think that’s really important. It was the area probably we discussed most around combinations.”
Jacobson said whether playing at six, seven or eight, his job remained largely the same.
“The actual number on the back not having so much of an impact. I’ll play my game. I’ve been picked for a reason.”
Rennie said there were some difficult omissions to make.
“We’ve got 34 high quality players to choose from and yeah, so we had a lot of discussions.”
Luke Jacobson will play at seven against France.
PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks struggled to successfully implement the style of play former coach Scott Roberston wanted, with players citing unclear communication as one of the main problems in last year’s end of season review.
Rennie knows he can’t overcomplicate things so early into his tenure, but he was confident the team was on board with how he wanted things done.
“Playing with optimism is a mindset around ‘how do you score from here?’. But optimism is also around your work ethic. So if we’re optimistic we’ll get people back and get people into position quickly so you can play.”
Jordan was eager to put the new game-plan into practice.
“Optimism’s the word to use. We want to be positive in the way we play the game. We’ll balance that with being smart and understanding what test rugby brings and certainly under no illusions that the brutality and the physical battle will be a huge part of it as well. But, there’s excitement about how we can go out there and play.”
Jordan, who was returning from a calf injury that ruled him out of the Super Rugby playoffs, said it was an enticing prospect to have an attacking license.
“The main thing that’s come through is around the tempo we want to play at, having a bit of optimism. So as a back, it’s certainly great to have that freedom to go out there and play.”
France also named their side for Saturday’s test, Max Spring selected at fullback to play against his father Sean’s country of birth.
Lock Tom Staniforth had also been named for a debut, while the big names missing from the side included halfback Antoine Dupont and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Despite nine front-line French players not making the trip to Christchurch, Rennie rubbished claims this was a secondary side.
“We’re well aware what the French can bring big. They come alive when they’ve got opportunities to play.”
Jordan agreed and said you would never catch him calling the vistiors a France “B” team.
“Certainly not disrespected. Looking at their squad, certainly plenty of decent cattle there and no doubt they’ll come down and give it a good crack.”
All Blacks team to play France: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Peter Lakai, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (C), 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie.
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Fehi Fineanganofo