All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has dismissed suggestions that France's lineup for their upcoming match in Christchurch is weakened. Despite the absence of Top 14 finalists and the decision to rest Louis Bielle-Biarrey after a taxing season, the French team remains formidable. Fabien Galthie’s selection includes players from the Champions Cup-winning squad, indicating a robust team composition that promises a compelling contest.
France's team, while missing some key forwards from Toulouse, still showcases depth with talents like Marko Gazzotti and Pierre Bochaton, who have gained substantial experience playing for Bordeaux. Savea emphasized the strength of the French squad, stating,
"I think it’s rubbish. The French are the French and you look at their depth and their competition; they’ve got world-class players from one to 100. It doesn’t matter what team they bring."
His remarks underline a respect for the opposition that belies the external narrative of a weakened French side.The All Blacks are also undergoing a transition with Dave Rennie stepping in as head coach, succeeding Scott Robertson. Rennie aims to inject a fresh dynamism into the team, advocating for a blend of optimism and physicality. Savea relayed Rennie’s ethos,
"He wants us to play with optimism but also with a bit of brutality and he’s big on effort."
This change in leadership comes at a crucial time as the All Blacks look to overcome their usual slow start to the Test season.Rennie has already made significant selections, opting for the in-form Hurricanes fly-half over seasoned players like Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett. Savea praised the young fly-half's natural ability, indicating a hands-off approach to nurturing his talent: "There’s something special about that boy; he doesn’t need any help. I go to him, ‘you sweet?’ And he says: ‘I’m good’. You just leave space for those boys to do their thing."
As the All Blacks and France gear up for this encounter, the stage is set for a riveting chapter in their storied rivalry. With new strategies and emerging talents on both sides, this match in Christchurch is not just about points on the board but also about the spirit and evolution of rugby.