While he has not made a test start at openside, Jacobson spent more time in the No 7 jersey than at No 8 over the past couple of Super Rugby Pacific seasons.
Asked about the expectation that comes with the All Blacks No 7 jersey, in terms of involvement in the contest and the greats of the game who have worn it before him, Jacobson said he was looking forward to “having a decent crack” on Saturday night.
“There are plenty of other aspects that go to a seven as well. I think where my game is, it’s around the collision, trying to impact that,” Jacobson said.
Luke Jacobson speaks to media after being named at openside flanker for the All Blacks. Photo / Anna Heath
“Yeah, it’s been around the ball and hunting out that when the opportunity is right, but it’s not selling out the rest of your game to just try and get turnovers.
“I’ll play my game. I’ve been picked for a reason, and I’ll keep it at that.”
Jacobson’s last test came against the Wallabies in late September of 2024, while his last start was on the blindside in the side’s win over Fiji in San Diego earlier that year.
Earning the start at openside on Saturday night, Jacobson will have made a start in all three positions in the loose trio.
“I don’t find too much difference between loosie roles,” Jacobson said.
“Sometimes there’s a little bit of difference around lineouts and scrummaging at eight, but as a whole I find them pretty similar.”
Jacobson’s selection at No 7 also sees the All Blacks have some flexibility later in the game when looking to inject Wallace Sititi from the bench.
Sititi can cover blindside or No 8, while all three starting loose forwards have experience in every position in the back row.
Dave Rennie speaks to media after naming his team to play against France. Photo / Anna Heath
The All Blacks come into the test after a hurried preparation, with the full squad having limited time together after the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Hurricanes and Chiefs in late June.
Rennie said there were some players in the squad nursing minor niggles, and selectors decided “late last week” they wouldn’t be included in the matchday squad for France.
However, outside of lock Tupou Vaa’i, who is working his way back through concussion protocols, Rennie would not comment on who the other players were, only saying they had “a reasonably fit group to pick from”.
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
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Fehi Fineanganofo
France team to play All Blacks: 1. Jefferson Poirot 2. Maxime Lamothe 3. Demba Bamba 4. Hugo Auradou 5. Tom Staniforth 6. Pierre Bochaton 7. Oscar Jegou 8. Marko Gazzotti 9. Maxime Lucu (c) 10. Matthieu Jalibert 11. Theo Attissogbe 12. Yoram Moefana 13. Fabien Brau-Boirie 14. Damian Penaud 15. Max Spring.
Bench: 16. Barnabe Massa 17. Reda Wardi 18. Regis Montagne 19. Mickael Guillard 20. Killian Tixeront 21. Nolann Le Garrec 22. Antoine Hastoy 23. Nicolas Depoortere
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.