Team naming Thursday - All Black test edition

The team to face the French in the 3rd and final test match in New Plymouth this weekend has been named by Steve Hansen earlier this morning.

As expected a few changes have been made, with an eye of course on the future and the defense of the RWC in 2015 as well as putting out a strong performance to wrap up the series.

All Blacks

1. Wyatt Crockett

2. Andrew Hore

3. Owen Franks

4. Luke Romano

5. Sam Whitelock

6. Victor Vito

7. Sam Cane

8. Kieran Read (Capt)

9. Piri Weepu

10. Dan Carter

11. Rene Ranger

12. Ma'a Nonu

13. Conrad Smith

14. Ben Smith

15. Israel Dagg

Reserves

16. Kevin Melamu

17. Tony Woodcock

18. Ben Franks

19. Steven Luatua

20. Matt Todd

21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow

22. Beauden Barrett

23. Charles Piutau

An exciting prospect is the inclusion of 3 debutants on the bench, with all expected to get a chance to have minutes on the field. As a die hard Canterbury fan I am quite excited that Matt Todd is being given an opportunity, after being hugely consistent in his Super Rugby appearances, coming up against a physical French forward pack should be a fantastic challenge for all.

Steven Luatua has been a brutal force to be reckoned with for the Blues this season and will have a huge opportunity to push for a squad place in the Bledisloe/Rugby Championship team going forward.

World class first five, Dan Carter comes back into the mix after serving two weeks as water boy due to a hand injury. Carter brings another dimension to the on field leadership and pairing with Weepu in the halves will be huge experience to get the boys around the field.

The support that the All Blacks have recieved all week during the build up in New Plymouth has been fantastic, there first test match in 3 years has brought out some of the best support for our team. It will be a fantastic spectacle and one I am looking forward to as always.

All black everything.