Aisle be Back: All Blacks v France

• By Kevin McCarthy

Dave Rennie would have flunked Cuisenaire rods at school.

For younger listeners, these were painted wood rods of varying units of length that basically taught you simple maths. They were also good for sucking on, and ingesting various chemicals.

Unveiling his first twenty-three for the first test against France, he used the phrase “they’re just numbers on the back” when describing his loose forward mix.

In short, 7/8 Ardie Savea is now 8, 6 Luke Jacobsen is a 7, and 8 Peter Lakai is a 6. In Cuisenaire terms, all the rods are the same length and colour.

I don’t think he means they are identically interchangeable roles as such – though perhaps he does! Instead, I think the concept is more that the three component roles can be mixed and matched for in-game situations, and various oppositions.

Purists will bemoan playing people out of position, but all three have at least parts of the skills to cover the positions.  Indeed, in other hands, the knives would be out. But latitude is being extended here.

First and foremost, this is presumably the trio Dave Rennie wants to be on the field for most of the game and most of the presumed game plan.

So, if you trust that this is a well-grounded and well-thought-through plan, then you can probably stop fretting.

It’s good to see the intent in picking both Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie – rather than the endless agonising over who should be on the bench. They’re two threats that will be used to the full, instead.

And Ruben Love gets a full-throated endorsement as the new number 10. Certainly, the vibe for the side is that the players will have had clear communication, and a game plan they recognise.

Fans obviously hope that spine delivers what is promised on the tin – a relentlessness, a tenacity, and a degree of the old intimidation.

Still, as we say, no plan survives contact with the enemy, and it would be utopian to expect the Rennie reset will go untroubled through these early games.

They are apparently playing France, although there is scant focus on who is in that team, other than on who isn’t in the team.

Well, scant focus among the spectatoratti. But that’s the New Zealand way, and if France continue this policy of understrength squads down under, then what can you do anyway.

Razor Robertson came up with a scratchy first-up win over just such a side. That’s the first yardstick  that Dave Rennie will be measured against.

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Good to see the tickets for the test against Italy in Wellington are being discounted to ensure a full house.

Reportedly around four thousand tickets remain unsold for the July 11 match, which kicks off at a family friendly 5.10pm time.

However, a discount  doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, as anyone who goes to a test these days will agree.

Given that a lot of money will have gone witnessing the Triumph of the 2026 championship, it would be optimistic to sell out the stadium for a test soon after.

But if this does the trick, then a 35-thousand full stadium is much preferable to one with pockets of yellow seating on view.

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The All Blacks team for the opening international of the season against France is (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant) :

1.  Ethan de Groot (40)

2.Codie Taylor (106)

3.  Fletcher Newell (35)

4.  Josh Lord (12)

5.Sam Darry (8)

6.  Peter Lakai (8)

7.  Luke Jacobson (24)  

8.  Ardie Savea (106) (Captain)

9.  Cam Roigard (17)

10. Ruben Love (5)

11. Caleb Clarke (33)

12.Jordie Barrett (78)

13. Quinn Tupaea (24)

14. Will Jordan (54)

15. Damian McKenzie (74)

16. Asafo Aumua (20)

17. Xavier Numia *

18.Tyrel Lomax (48)

19. Patrick Tuipulotu (56)

20. Wallace Sititi (19)

21. Cortez Ratima (21)

22. Billy Proctor (11)

23. Fehi Fineanganofo *

Unavailable due to injury: Tupou Vaa’i (concussion)