Dave Rennie gives Ruben Love out-half nod for first test as All Blacks head coach

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie.

New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has chosen five-test out-half Ruben Love in his starting lineup for New Zealand’s Nations Championship opener against France at Christchurch.

In his first All Blacks lineup as head coach, Rennie preferred Love at No.10 over veterans Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. Love outplayed both of those players during the recent Super Rugby playoffs and offers a point of difference in his playing style.

The 25-year-old Love’s instinct to take on the defensive line differs from the 145-test veteran Barrett, who tends to hand off or kick before the defensive line, and 74-test McKenzie, who often runs laterally before straightening to test the defence.

Love will combine in the inside backs on Saturday with his Hurricanes teammates Cam Roigard at scrum-half and Jordie Barrett at inside centre, as Rennie retains a tested grouping. McKenzie is at fullback and Beauden Barrett has not made the match 23.

The only uncapped players in the squad — Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia and winger Fehi Fineanganofo — will make their All Blacks debuts from the bench. Fineanganofo was the leading try-scorer in Super Rugby this year with 17.

Ardie Savea will captain the team from the back of the scrum. Luke Jacobson will start on the open side and Peter Lakai on the blindside.

“We have selected an exciting blend of experience and youth, with a powerful bench that will add impact,” Rennie said. “We know we will be facing a formidable French side with a strong set piece, kicking game and ability to keep the ball alive so we will need to be physical, accurate and alert.

“We’ve worked hard and connected well over the past nine days. That clarity will give us the opportunity to express ourselves.” 

Codie Taylor will play his 107th test at hooker, with powerful Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua starting on the bench. Rennie has retained last year’s propping combination of Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell with Numia and Tyrel Lomax to come off the bench.

Josh Lord and Sam Darry will combine in the second row in the absence of former captain Scott Barrett, who is injured.

With McKenzie at fullback, Will Jordan will start on the right wing and Caleb Clarke on the left. Quinn Tupaea will partner Jordie Barrett in midfield.

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell; Josh Lord, Sam Darry; Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Fehi Fineanganofo.

AP