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FWC: GER v PAR live on SN ExtraSport Nation selects: Who makes the cut for All Blacks' Test opener vs France?
Sport Nation •  June 30th, 2026 8:35 am
Will Ruben Love be starting in the number 10 jersey?
The first All Blacks team naming of the year is almost upon us, and everyone around the Sport Nation studio has their own opinion on how it should play out.
Ahead of New Zealand’s opening Test against France on July 4, our flagship shows, plus The Rugby Run, have had their say on who should feature in the matchday 23.
From debutants to experienced heads, backline balance to loose forward debates, each show has picked its own All Blacks to face Les Bleus.
The Rugby Run
The first to have their say was The Rugby Run host Mark Watson who has been very vocal on what he wants from All Blacks' selectors.
Having expressed his desire for Ruben Love to wear the black No. 10 jersey, Watto does not see the need to carry a specialist first five on the bench with Damian McKenzie ability to shift into the position if needed when substitutions happen.
ALL BLACKS (1-15): Xavier Numia, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Damian McKenzie.
Bench: Asafo Aumua, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Simon Parker, Anton Segner, Kyle Preston, Quinn Tupaea, Fehi Fineanganofo.
Breakfast
World Cup winning All Black, and award-winning Sport Nation Breakfast host, Israel Dagg chimes in with his matchday 23.
"Thank goodness. I've got the whistle and I'm calling the shots," Dagg said.
There's a lot of talk around how the loose forward trio will look, but Dagg states his case for why Tupou Vaa'i should be in the mix.
"I'm going for Tupou Vaa'i who played there last year, adds a whole lot around the park, mobile, can hit, but that lineout option is probably what gives him the nod in that six position."
After an outstanding Super Rugby Pacific campaign for the champion Hurricanes, the name on everyone's mind is Ruben Love, and the former All Black is putting his faith in the 25-year-old.
"Ruben Love, the love man, the love factor, the guy that has it all.
"I've seen enough to ensure that you've got to give this young kid an opportunity, and potentially give him the keys to lead this side."
Under somewhat of an injury cloud is Will Jordan, but that doesn't faze the former All Black fullback, he wants him starting if possible.
"If he is fit, if he is available, it doesn't matter, he's in my squad," Dagg said. "Easily the second name on my team."
ALL BLACKS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Fehi Fineanganofo, Will Jordan.
Bench: Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Mornings
One man more than familiar with reading out team lists and having the best seat in the house to watch the play unfold is Sport Nation Mornings host Tony Johnson.
“I'm kind of in that zone between who I'd like to see in the team and who I think they'll pick," TJ said.
Sharing a similar sentiment to most of the other shows, Johnson wants to give the keys to Ruben Love.
"I'd like to see them start that Hurricanes 9, 10, 12 trio of Roigard, Love and Barrett.
"If we want a dynamic game then Ruben Love should be given this opportunity.
"His best chance of doing what he does is in between those two very accomplished Hurricanes' teammates."
ALL BLACKS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan.
Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Afternoons
Mondays with McHardy host Daniel McHardy has the hot seat every Monday afternoon and was next to share his ideal All Blacks team to face France, and there was a clear and unsurprising Hurricanes flavour.
"I can't wait to read all the vitriol burning this house down," McHardy said. "I'll temper my bias.
"Roigard and Love. Come on. We gotta give them a crack, don’t we?"
You can decide whether he did or not.
ALL BLACKS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan.
Bench: Codie Taylor, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Kyle Preston, Damian McKenzie, Quinn Tupaea.
Drive
Millsy & Guy were the final show to have their say, and there was plenty of debate before their 23 was locked in between hosts Kyle Mills, Guy Heveldt, and executive producer Sam 'Lashes' Casey.
The biggest talking point came at first five, where the boys weighed up Super Rugby form against Test match experience.
"Very much of a toss up between him (Love) and Damian McKenzie for us, but I think you've got to reward Ruben Love."
But after much debate, and some well raised points from Producer Lashes, they chose to trust experience over excitement in the first Test of the year.
"I would probably start a more experienced 10, and when the sting goes out of the test match, the Love can maybe get 30 minutes," Lashes said.
"You've got to be rolling out your best team.
"I don't think it's any place to reward a little bit of Super Rugby form when there's just as good of players in the 34-man squad.
"I think there is plenty of time for Ruben Love to be embedded."
ALL BLACKS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan.
Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Ruben Love, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Across all five Sport Nation selections, Ruben Love was the name that kept coming up, with four shows handing him the No. 10 jersey before Drive opted for Damian McKenzie’s experience in the opener.
Beauden Barrett was the biggest high-profile omission, only making Izzy’s 23, while Tupou Vaa’i’s value was clear as every show found room for him somewhere between lock and blindside.
Josh Lord was another near lock, starting in the second row across all five teams, and Asafo Aumua’s form was impossible to ignore, earning selection in every 23 and a couple of starting nods along the way.
The official All Blacks side will be named Thursday, but our own armchair selectors have made their calls - you can vote for your favourite of the lineups on the Sport Nation Instagram.
Now it is over to Dave Rennie.
Why the All Blacks need to select Ruben Love to face France | The Rugby Run
