All Blacks

Four new faces for All Blacks in Dunedin, France drop skipper

With the series already wrapped up, coach Steve Hansen has made 11 changes to the match-day 23 to both cover injuries and to give four new players a taste of Test rugby.

Flanker Shannon Frizell and centre Jack Goodhue will make their debuts in the run-on side with Jackson Hemopo and Richie Mo'unga to come off the bench.

From the side which won the second Test in Wellington 26-13 last weekend, Beauden Barrett, Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita were ruled out because of injury.

All Blacks cruise past France again

The All Blacks had taken control in Auckland last week after Paul Gabrillagues was contentiously sin-binned, but there could have been few complaints about Benjamin Fall's 12th-minute red card for a challenge on Beauden Barrett in this one.

Barrett was unable to continue, yet New Zealand were able to kick on and seal a second comfortable victory without really impressing.

Barrett and Fifita in doubt for third test

Both Barrett and Fifita suffered their concussions in last night's 26-13 win over France in Wellington.

Barrett's incident occurred in the 12th minute of the match when he collided in mid air with France fullback Ben Fall.

Fall was red carded for the incident because Barrett landed on his neck and head.

Coach Steve Hansen says both Barrett and Fifita will stay in Wellington tonight and will be monitored throughout the week.

Hansen said a decision will be made later in the week on whether they'll join the group in Dunedin ahead of Saturday's test.

Five new faces for France against unchanged All Blacks

France were overwhelmed in the opening match of their three-Test series against the All Blacks, losing 52-11 at Eden Park.

Back-row duo Judicael Cancoriet and Fabien Sanconnie make way for Mathieu Babillot and Kelian Galletier, while Bernard Le Roux starts ahead of Paul Gabrillagues at lock.

In the backs, the injured Remy Grosso makes way for Gael Fickou, and Benjamin Fall takes Maxime Medard's position at full-back for the clash in Wellington.

Underdone All Blacks captain not concerned

Whitelock, who is making his 97th test appearance and is standing in for regular captain Kieran Read, has not played since May 12 due to concussion symptoms.

"I've had a couple of weeks where I haven't played," Whitelock said. "It's frustrating, I always want to be out there if I'm 100 percent fit or even if I'm not.

"At times I'm going to be blowing hard but I think that's normal no matter where you are in a test match."

Parra returns to face the All Blacks

Parra is the most experienced player named by coach Jacques Brunel for the first of three Tests on Saturday.

However, the versatile 66-Test veteran hasn't played since Les Bleus were walloped 62-13 by New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup in Cardiff.

The last time Parra ran onto Eden Park was when he was five-eighth in the 2011 World Cup final loss, also to New Zealand.

Squire cleared to play for All Blacks

Squire had been cited for striking with his shoulder in the Highlanders win over the Hurricanes on Friday night.

The Highlanders flanker had been cited for leading with his shoulder when clearing out TJ Perenara from a ruck but the committee decided the Wellington Hurricanes scrumhalf had dropped to his knees just before impact.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee dismissed the citing and Squire has been cleared of all charges.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:

All Blacks call up reinforcements

Hansen has called in locks Luke Romano and Tom Franklin and flanker Matt Todd into the squad as cover.

The All Blacks were always going to be without captain Kieran Read, who is still recovering from back surgery, but the number eight has been joined on the casualty list by a handful of other first-choice players.

The latest was Brodie Retallick, who suffered a pectoral injury playing for the Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby on Saturday.

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said the injury was serious and Retallick was unlikely to face the French in Auckland on Saturday.

Chiefs bolter called into All Blacks

Tu'inukuafe will join the squad for next month's three-test series against France after the Crusaders prop Tim Perry suffered a hamstring strain.

Perry will be reviewed by Crusaders medical staff over the next few days, though it leaves them without three All Black props for Friday's top of the table Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in Christchurch, after Owen Franks and Joe Moody were suspended for striking.

The All Blacks squad have a camp in Christchurch from Sunday until Tuesday before assembling in Auckland on Sunday June 3rd to prepare for the first Test.

Three new players named in All Blacks squad

Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell, Crusaders loose forward Jordan Taufua and Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi are the three possible debutantes.

Sam Whitelock captains the side in the absence of the injured Kieran Read.

Also selected are Crusaders teammates Tim Perry, Richie Mo'unga and Jack Goodhue, who played non-Test matches on last year's European tour and are yet to make their Test debuts.