All Blacks v France, Third test, 7.05pm, Saturday, FMG Stadium, Hamilton
All you need to know as Scott Robertson’s side look to complete the sweep against France. A 3-0 series win would be the fifth time the All Blacks have swept aside France in three tests, the last time being in 2018.
The All Blacks have now won 50 tests against France, just the second nation they have reached that milestone (Australia 126 wins, South Africa 62).
The All Blacks have lost just once in Hamilton in 16 outings, to the Springboks in 2009. Since that defeat, they have won nine straight at the home of the Chiefs.
France have never played a test in Hamilton. France have played two previous games in Hamilton in 1961 and 1979, both against Waikato. Waikato won both.
Played - 66
All Blacks won - 50
France won - 15
Draws - 1
All Blacks points scored - 1733
France points scored - 935
1997 - All Blacks 62 Argentina 10
2002 - All Blacks 64 Italy 10
2003 - All Blacks 55 Wales 3
2004 - All Blacks 41 Argentina 7
2006 - All Blacks 34 Ireland 23
2007 - All Blacks 64 Canada 13
2009 - South Africa 32 All Blacks 29
2010 - All Blacks 29 Wales 10
2011 - All Blacks 83 Japan 7
2012 - All Blacks 60 Ireland 0
2013 - All Blacks 28 Argentina 13
2014 - All Blacks 36 England 13
2016 - All Blacks 57 Argentina 22
2019 - All Blacks 92 Tonga 7
2021 - All Blacks 60 Fiji 13
2022 - All Blacks 53 Argentina 3
All Blacks side:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea (captain), 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Ruben Love.
Reserves
16. Brodie McAlister, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Dalton Papali’i, 20. Du Plessis Kirifi, 21. Noah Hotham, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Jordie Barrett.
France side:
1. Baptiste Erdocio, 2. Pierre Bourgait, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Matthias Halagahu, 6. Alexandre Fischer, 7.Joshua Brennan, 8. Mickaël Guillard, 9.Nolan Le Garrec, 10. Atoine Hastoy, 11.Gabin Villière, 12. Gaël Fickou (captain), 13. Nicolas Depoortère, 14 Théo Attissogbé, 15. Léo Barré.
Reserves: 16. Gaëtan Barlot, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifénua, 20. Killian Tixeront, 21. Pierre Bochaton, 22. Thibault Daubagna, 23. Émilien Gailleton
All Blacks: W, W, W, L, W
France: L, L, W, W, W
The All Blacks have won eight of their last nine since back-to-back defeats in South Africa last year. Scott Robertson’s winning percentage has moved to 75%.
Angus Gardner of Australia is in charge of the third test in Hamilton.
This will be the third All Blacks-France test Gardner has been in charge of - the last two matches in 2017 and 2018 resulted in New Zealand wins.
Gardner has officiated 15 All Blacks tests since 2016, and they have won 12 of them.
He’s been in charge of eight French tests, the first four they lost. Most recently he was in the middle when France beat Ireland 42-27 in Dublin during the Six Nations.
All Blacks: $1.07 Draw: $31 France: $7.50
Saturday, July 5, All Blacks 31 France 27, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Saturday, July 12, All Blacks 43 France 17, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Saturday, July 19, 7.05pm – All Blacks v France, FMG Stadium, Hamilton
For live commentary of All Blacks v France, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
Plus James McOnie & Mike Lane of The Alternative Commentary Collective will be providing commentary on their iHeartRadio stream.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.