The All Blacks, one of the world's top rugby teams, will be taking on a Bordeaux-heavy France side in their Nations Championship clash on Saturday. Kick-off is at 09:10 SA time.

Damian Penaud, France's record try scorer with 40 tries to his name, has been recalled to the starting side. However, he has a history of defensive blunders that have seen him left out of some teams. This time around, he's joined by eight other Bordeaux-Begles players, including hooker Maxime Lamothe, prop Jefferson Poirot, and back-row forwards Pierre Bochaton and Marko Gazzotti.

Maxime Lucu, who captains the side at scrumhalf, and Matthieu Jalibert at flyhalf will be looking to lead their team to victory. Yoram Moefana and Penaud are also selected in the midfield, alongside Fabien Brau-Boirie. Their clubmate Maxime Lucu will captain the side at scrumhalf alongside Matthieu Jalibert at flyhalf.

Fullback Max Spring will be winning his second cap and playing the country of his father Sean's birth, just as his brother Tom, of Aviron Bayonnais, did a year ago during the 2025 tour of New Zealand. France lost that series 3-0 but again had left players at home because of club commitments.

### Key Facts:

  • The match is on Saturday at 09:10 SA time.
  • Damian Penaud has been recalled to the starting side.
  • There are eight Bordeaux-Begles players in the matchday XV.
  • Maxime Lucu will captain the side at scrumhalf.
  • France's record try scorer has a history of defensive blunders.
  • New Zealand are playing the country of their father Sean's birth.

This match will be a tough test for both teams and will be an exciting clash between two top rugby teams. The outcome is far from certain, and it will be interesting to see how the two teams match up.

### The Coaches' Perspectives

Coach Fabien Galthie has opted for a Bordeaux-heavy side, citing the strength of the Bordeaux-Begles team. He will be looking to lead his team to victory and make the most of the talent available to him.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand coach has stated that they are ready for the challenge and are looking forward to taking on the Bordeaux-heavy France side.

### The Teams' Profiles

New Zealand:

  • New Zealand 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Peter Lakai, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot Replacements: 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:

  • France 15 Max Spring, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Theo Attissogbe, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot Replacements: 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

The match is set to be a closely contested encounter, with both teams looking to come out on top. The outcome is far from certain, and it will be exciting to see how the two teams match up.

The referee for the match is Luke Pearce, the TMO is Marius van der Westhuizen, and assistant referees are Christophe Ridley and Katsuki Furuse.

The match will be the first of many in the Nations Championship, with France and New Zealand facing off in the opening match of the season.

The Nations Championship is a premier rugby competition that brings together some of the world's top teams. France and New Zealand are two of the most storied teams in the competition, and their match will be one of the highlights of the season.