'Outstanding' Love to start at fly-half for All Blacks against France / Photo: Sanka Vidanagama - AFP
'Outstanding' Love to start at fly-half for All Blacks against France
Ruben Love was given the nod on Thursday to start at fly-half against France as new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie named his first New Zealand side for the Nations Championship opener in Christchurch.
The 25-year-old has played only five previous Tests for the All Blacks but will start in the pivotal No.10 shirt against the French on Saturday after a stellar Super Rugby season in which he led the Wellington Hurricanes to the championship.
Love was named alongside clubmates Cam Roigard at scrum-half and Jordie Barrett at inside-centre as Rennie looks to lean on the in-form Hurricanes backs.
"He was outstanding, so I'm sure there won't be too many arguments," Rennie said of selecting Love on the back of his Super Rugby form.
"He sits in amongst Cam and Jordie, which will give him a lot of comfort, combination and communication.
"He's done a fantastic job. He's really confident, really clear, so his ability even in meetings, running things, has been impressive."
Rennie sprung a surprise in the back row with Waikato Chiefs' Luke Jacobson named at openside flanker, with Auckland Blues' Peter Lakai at blindside and captain Ardie Savea moved to No.8.
"I suppose it's just numbers on the back for me," Rennie said of his loose forwards.
"We like Luke. Luke's tough. He'll have a real physical presence against the French and we think that's really important.
"It was the area we probably discussed most."
Two debutants are on the replacements' bench and in line for a first Test cap -- prop Xavier Numia and wing Fehi Fineanganofo, both from the Hurricanes.
Damian McKenzie got the nod at fullback with Will Jordan moved to the right wing.
France have not brought their top side to New Zealand for the inaugural Nations Championship match, but Rennie cautioned against calling them a B team given the strength of the French Top 14 competition.
"The French have got 28 professional teams. I'm not sure how much of the French competition you guys watch but it's the best competition in the world," Rennie said.
"High quality, they've got so much depth, and so whoever comes it will be a quality side they put out there."
New Zealand (15-1):
Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (capt), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai; Sam Darry, Josh Lord; Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Fehi Fineanganofo.
Z.Munif--al-Hayat
