By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
en_US English
en_US English hi_IN हिन्दी
India United PressIndia United Press
Notification Show More
Latest News
HC denies bail to man for posts against PM, armed forces
HC denies bail to man for posts against PM, armed forces
July 3, 2025
What Fourth of July will look like for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs behind bars
What Fourth of July will look like for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs behind bars
July 3, 2025
Are you always stressed? It can affect your brain, says neurologist; know these 5 tips to manage stress
Are you always stressed? It can affect your brain, says neurologist; know these 5 tips to manage stress
July 3, 2025
HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 4 July 2025
HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 4 July 2025
July 3, 2025
Fonseca youngest to 3rd round after 2011
Fonseca youngest to 3rd round after 2011
July 3, 2025
Aa
  • Home
  • News
  • Regional
  • Editor’s Choice
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
Reading: Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome ‘deja vu’ in New Zealand
Share
India United PressIndia United Press
Aa
Search
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Regional
  • Editor’s Choice
  • Politics
  • World
  • Business
  • Health
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • hi_INहिन्दी
  • en_USEnglish
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Home
  • News
  • Regional
  • Editor’s Choice
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • More
India United Press > Sports > Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome ‘deja vu’ in New Zealand
Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome ‘deja vu’ in New Zealand
Sports

Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome ‘deja vu’ in New Zealand

Press Room
Press Room July 1, 2025
Updated 2025/07/01 at 4:15 AM
Share
SHARE
Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome ‘deja vu’ in New Zealand

*

Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome ‘deja vu’ in New Zealand

France include 17 uncapped players for New Zealand tour

*

Galthie may add players from Top 14 finalists after opener

*

New Zealand look to avoid fourth straight loss to France

By Ian Ransom

July 1 – An understrength and unapologetic France kick off their three-test tour of New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, offering a Gallic shrug to a host nation raging at the absence of some of the Six Nations champions’ top players.

France coach Fabien Galthie picked 17 uncapped players in his squad of 37, with a slew of senior figures rested from the Dunedin opener due to the Top 14 championship match last Saturday.

Galthie may reinforce his Gael Fickou-captained squad for the final tests in Wellington and Hamilton with up to five players from the Top 14 finalists, Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles.

That could bring fullback Thomas Ramos, lock Thibaud Flament and wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey into the mix.

But flyhalf Romain Ntamack is unlikely to feature after having knee surgery in the wake of Toulouse’s triumph, while scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has been sidelined with an ACL injury since the Six Nations in March.

They would add to an absentee list which includes loose forwards Gregory Alldritt and Paul Boudehent, and prop Jean-Baptiste Gros.

Injuries and calendar constraints notwithstanding, the B-squad has been viewed dimly in New Zealand, seven years after a similarly depleted France were trounced 3-0 on their last tour.

“I’m really disappointed with the way the French always seem to come up with excuses to not bring their top players,” former All Blacks halfback and TV pundit Justin Marshall fumed on Sky Sports.

“Our fans deserve to see their best players playing in our country against our All Blacks because we do that in November to them.”

Galthie has said he had no other solution than to pick a developmental squad.

“I think that’s pretty clear. Or the New Zealanders will have to help us reinvent a national calendar,” he told a press conference last month.

‘TRUST OURSELVES’

New Zealand Rugby might like the idea of tweaking the calendar but can only hope that a contest is served up and fans will not feel short-changed.

In 2018, Steve Hansen’s All Blacks humiliated the French with a combined scoreline of 127-38 from the three tests at Eden Park, Wellington and Dunedin.

France have not won in New Zealand since a famous 27-22 win at the old Carisbrook ground in Dunedin.

They may struggle to break the losing streak on this tour against an All Blacks outfit keen to make a statement halfway through the World Cup cycle.

Coach Scott Robertson has been at pains to warn his squad to avoid complacency, having tasted defeat in a 30-29 classic at Stade de France last November, the All Blacks’ third successive loss to Les Bleus.

While he has lost a couple of key soldiers with injuries to prop Taimati Williams and loose forward Wallace Sititi, Robertson will hope ‘next-gen’ talents can make strides.

Cameron Roigard and Cortez Ratima are fighting for the starting scrumhalf slot and one-test Wellington Hurricane Ruben Love is looking to make his mark at fullback.

Overall, though, the squad captained by lock Scott Barrett is seasoned and familiar.

Only five uncapped players have been given a chance, including Wellington Hurricanes flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi and Waikato Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister.

Playmakers Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie will resume their running battle for the number 10 shirt, with the loser likely to be deployed at fullback.

“The biggest thing is we respect with our preparation and understand those strengths,” Robertson said on Monday.

“We have been together for a year and our cohesion is high and we trust ourselves.”

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Source

Press Room July 1, 2025
Share this Article
Facebook TwitterEmail Print
Share
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular News
Bitcoin rallies back above ,000 to show some recovery signs
Editor's Choice

Bitcoin rallies back above $40,000 to show some recovery signs

Press Room Press Room April 12, 2022
Musk eyeing Twitter deal? Speculations grow as he avoids board
THEMIS ECOSYSTEM TACKLES THE GAIA HYPOTHESIS AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY, MAKING THEM PERFECTLY USABLE
Ditch and dump the plastic for better alternatives
India’s ‘Unicorn Couple’ aim for first startup IPO within a year
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Fonseca youngest to 3rd round after 2011
Sports

Fonseca youngest to 3rd round after 2011

July 3, 2025
Emma Navarro net worth: Wimbledon star is richer than Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic
Sports

Emma Navarro net worth: Wimbledon star is richer than Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic

July 3, 2025
Diogo Jota dies at 28: LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, ‘devastated’ and ‘shocked’
Sports

Diogo Jota dies at 28: LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, ‘devastated’ and ‘shocked’

July 3, 2025
Jurgen Klopp ‘heartbroken, struggling’ to process Diogo Jota’s death: ‘Can’t see the bigger purpose’
Sports

Jurgen Klopp ‘heartbroken, struggling’ to process Diogo Jota’s death: ‘Can’t see the bigger purpose’

July 3, 2025

Trending Now

  • Money
  • Art & Books
  • Trending
  • International
  • Technology
  • LifeStyle
  • Politics

About US

We, India United Press, believe in free, pure, and unabridged information for all. Correct news should be provided with a touch of education, sprinkled with entertainment, and wrapped in warm but concise language.
Quick Link
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • My Bookmarks
Top Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • RegionalHot
  • Technology
Top Topics
  • India
  • Business
  • Culture
  • BollywoodLive
Top Resources
  • ScienceNew
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

© 2022 All Rights Reserved – Blue Planet Global Media Network

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?