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Injury hit France and New Zealand have unveiled their lineups for what is being touted as “the greatest pool match in the history of Rugby World Cups.”
Hosts France kick off the tournament against the three time world champions on Saturday (AEST) in Paris in a bullish mood despite being without a raft of key players.
Star playmaker Romain Ntamack and lock Paul Willemse are out for the tournament while Jonathan Danty, Cyril Baille and Anthony Jelonch will miss the All Blacks match with injury.
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Yoram Moefana replaces powerful centre Danty, who is recovering from a sore hamstring after a try-scoring appearance in the last warm-up match against Australia.
New Zealand’s wounded includes first choice players Jordie Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax and Shannon Frizell, while winger Emoni Narawa is departing France with a back issue.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has picked Anton Lienert-Brown to replace Barrett instead of David Havili.
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“He’s relatively close,” Foster said of Barrett, who has a knee issue.
“We didn’t really know after the Twickenham Test, but he pulled up a bit sore. It’s more of a jarring type injury than anything else.
“Anton is very experienced. He’s had a couple of years that have been disrupted, but behind the scenes he’s worked really hard at his game. He covers 12 and 13, and we just felt Davey, who is coming back from a long injury, was a little bit underdone.
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“We’ve gone with Anton’s experience. It’s a big stage, I think he’s craving an opportunity to show he has got his confidence back after quite a disruptive couple of years, and we’ve got a lot of faith in him.”
Bookmakers have installed Les Bleus as favourites despite New Zealand having never lost a pool game at a World Cup.
The All Blacks have beaten France in two Rugby World Cup finals, in 1987 and 2011, so there will be no shortage of motivation for Les Bleus, who have developed into a powerhouse under Fabien Galthie.
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France are fizzing at the opportunity to lift the trophy on home soil and warmed up for the World Cup with a 41-17 demolition job against the Wallabies in Paris.
France President Emmanuel Macron huddled with the players and staff on the training pitch this week.
Not to put pressure on the team, Macron said while doing exactly that, but France had an incredible opportunity hosting the World Cup.
“You are at home with 67 million French people behind you.”
Foster, part of two World Cup wins, wondered if the French will be able to handle the hype around them.
“Part of World Cups is the mental side, about having the confidence and courage to play the game you need to play at the right time,” he said.
FRANCE (15-1): Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (c), Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros, Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi
Reserves: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Dalton Papalii, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku