logo
All Blacks make 3 changes for the 2nd test against France

All Blacks make 3 changes for the 2nd test against France

Yahoo4 days ago
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has made three changes to his lineup for Saturday's second test against France, confirming Ardie Savea as captain in place of the injured Scott Barrett.
Patrick Tuipulotu will take Barrett's place in the second row while Caleb Clarke comes in on the left wing in place of Sevu Reece who suffered a grade one head knock in the first minute of the first test.
Advertisement
Rieko Ioane moves from the left to the right wing and uncapped Highlanders center Timoci Tavatavanawai joins the reserve bench.
Robertson was expected to make more changes after a dire first test performance in which the All Blacks scraped home 31-27 against a French team stripped of most of its Six Nations stars.
Ioane is lucky to retain his place in the starting lineup after a poor first test performance. His failure to secure the kickoff at the start of the second half led directly to a France try.
Robertson has also retained Beauden Barrett at flyhalf, though Barrett's tactical kicking game in the first test was flawed and New Zealand was unable to win recoverable kicks.
Advertisement
'Test series are a unique and exciting opportunity," Robertson said. "Both teams now have a better idea of what they're going to get on Saturday night and both will lift for this next occasion.
"We know where we need to improve.'
Improvement is needed across the board unless the All Blacks are to produce another of the rudderless performances that have become typical during Robertson's tenure.
New Zealand was beaten by France in the aerial contest in the first test at Dunedin. The selection of Clarke may help with that.
There was also a lack of physicality at the breakdown which the All Blacks will have to find on Saturday to prevent another close finish.
Advertisement
Robertson has retained lock Fabian Holland and backrower Christian Lio-Willie who made solid debuts last weekend. First test debutants Ollie Norris and Du'Plessis Kirifi have also been retained among a 5-3 split on the bench.
___
New Zealand: Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Christian Lio-Willie, Ardie Savea (captain), Tupou Vaa'i, Fabian Holland, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi, Samipeni Finau, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Damian McKenzie.
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
The Associated Press
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Evian Championship: Grace Kim shocks, beating Jeeno Thitikul in playoff for win
Evian Championship: Grace Kim shocks, beating Jeeno Thitikul in playoff for win

New York Times

time8 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Evian Championship: Grace Kim shocks, beating Jeeno Thitikul in playoff for win

Grace Kim had the shot of the tournament, if not the LPGA season, to just get into the Evian Championship playoff. She then hit a shot perhaps even better to keep it going, and an eagle putt to win her first major championship. It took all of it to take down Jeeno Thitikul, the No. 2-ranked player in the world, and win the Evian on Sunday. Kim, a 24-year-old Australian, is ranked No. 99 in the world. She had one previous LPGA win. Advertisement Kim and Thitikul were playing together in one of the final groups, but Thitikul took the lead on the field at 14 under with a birdie on No. 17 in regulation. With Kim two shots behind, the thought was Thitikul just needed to birdie or par the par-5 18th to win over English amateur Lottie Woad, in the house already at 13 under. Except as Thitikul watched, Kim unleashed a 4 hybrid from the fairway that shook the tournament, the ball landing a couple of feet away from the hole. When she made the eagle putt and Thitikul missed her birdie chance, the two had to go to a playoff to settle things. Again, Thitikul appeared to be in the driver's seat after Kim's second shot on the first playoff hole sprayed to the right of the green. She had to take an unplayable from next to a retaining wall and the paved walking path, and looked dejected doing so. She was anything but after her chip miraculously ran into the hole for birdie, again forcing Thitikul to make a putt to extend things. Grace Kim are you KIDDING?! She chips in on the first playoff hole after hitting her approach in the penalty area 🔥 — LPGA (@LPGA) July 13, 2025 She did, but in their third-straight playing of No. 18, Kim found the final advantage, pouring in an eagle putt for the win. Kim takes home $1.2 million for the win after previously earning $2 million in her career. Thitikul again struggled with her putter and will look to finally win her first major championship at the AIG Women's Open, the final major of the season. She has nine top-10 finishes all time, and two top-fives this season. Woad, who won last week's Irish Open, shot a final round 64 to vault herself up the leaderboard, tying Thitikul at 13 under. Woad, finishing well before her co-leader, was not able to birdie the par-5 18th and had to watch and wait. Despite having to settle for a third-place finish, Woad has earned enough points through her amateur career to claim an LPGA card either now or at the start of next season.

João Almeida, a key teammate of Pogačar, exits Tour de France after rib fracture
João Almeida, a key teammate of Pogačar, exits Tour de France after rib fracture

Associated Press

time39 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

João Almeida, a key teammate of Pogačar, exits Tour de France after rib fracture

CHATEAUROUX, France (AP) — João Almeida, a key teammate of Tour de France leader Tadej Pogačar, has abandoned the race. Almeida, who fractured a rib during Stage 7, was dropped early during Sunday's ninth stage between Chinon and Châteauroux, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG later announced over the race radio that the Portuguese rider had retired. Almeida was caught in a high-speed crash earlier this week as riders scrambled for position at the front, 6 kilometers (4 miles) from the finish line. Almeida escaped without a concussion but his rib fracture finally proved to be too painful to carry on in the three-week race. Almeida finished fourth at the 2024 Tour de France and started this year's edition on the back of excellent preparations, having won the Tour de Suisse, Tour de Romandie and Itzulia Basque Country. Sunday's stage heads into central France on a 158-kilometer (98-mile) flat stage for sprinters. ___ AP sports:

2nd Barcelona star in the sights of Monaco this summer
2nd Barcelona star in the sights of Monaco this summer

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

2nd Barcelona star in the sights of Monaco this summer

2nd Barcelona star in the sights of Monaco this summer French outfit AS Monaco have set their sights on a summer deal for a 2nd member of the first-team ranks at La Liga champions Barcelona. That's according to Mundo Deportivo, who point towards Marc-André ter Stegen as the player in question. Advertisement Barcelona and Monaco, of course, have already done business once this summer. As much came by way of a lengthy round of talks, spanning several weeks, which ultimately culminated in Ansu Fati taking his talents to the latter. And if the latest word stemming from the Spanish media this weekend is anything to go by, then the Monégasques may not be done there… As per a report from MD, Monaco have already made one approach for Marc-André ter Stegen this summer. As much was rebuffed by the German, who made clear his intention to stay put and fight for his place at the Camp Nou. With Ter Stegen having now been informed by Hansi Flick that he will have little to no playing time this coming season, however, the French side are keeping a watchful eye on the situation. This comes with a view, potentially, to a 2nd proposal for the experienced shot-stopper over the coming weeks. Conor Laird – GSFN

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store