New Zealand bench scrum-half Aaron Smith for France Test
Thursday 24 November 2016 08:41, UK
New Zealand have dropped scrum-half Aaron Smith in favour of TJ Perenara for Saturday’s Test against France in Paris, in one of a number of changes by head coach Steve Hansen.
Smith, who was dropped for two Rugby Championship matches earlier this year for a tryst with a woman in a public toilet, has been relegated to the bench after failing to find his best form since returning the All Blacks starting line-up during the autumn internationals.
"I don't think you need to be a rocket scientist to know that Nuggy [Smith] has struggled since he came back," Hansen said, when asked about the decision.
"In that first game [against Ireland in Chicago] he obviously hadn't played for a while. The second game against the Italians he was better and he was better again against Ireland but team comes first and TJ's taken that opportunity and played really well and we feel he deserves a start so he is going to get one.
"It is right for the team. We could have given Nuggy the opportunity and he has been through a tough time and clearly it has knocked his confidence a bit."
Hansen has made five changes in total from last weekend's 21-9 victory over Ireland in Dublin, with three new faces coming into the back-line and two in the forwards.
Ryan Crotty returns to the side at inside centre after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained during the All Blacks' 40-29 loss to Ireland in Chicago on November 5.
Anton Lienert-Brown shifts to outside centre to replace Malakai Fekitoa, who is serving a one-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Ireland's Simon Zebo.
Regular full-back Ben Smith suffered a compound fracture of a finger on his left hand in Dublin so Israel Dagg will start at No 15, with Waisake Naholo taking his place on the right wing.
Teenage utility back Rieko Ioane, who made his debut as a replacement against Italy, should earn his second Test cap after he was again named on the bench, to cover the outside backs.
In the pack, Matt Todd is selected ahead of Ardie Savea to replace the injured Sam Cane at openside flanker.
Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino has also returned to the No 6 jersey after he was ruled out of last week's match in Dublin with a minor calf injury, with his replacement Liam Squire dropping out of the match-day squad.
Hansen said: "When it came to selecting this side, we had to make some changes because of injuries, but we also looked to pick the best side possible for what we think will be a titanic battle against the French.
"It was a very physical match in Dublin on the weekend so we have looked to get this week's preparation spot on - both mentally and physically - as we know France will also be looking to impose themselves upon us come Saturday night.
"We're excited by the unique challenge that comes with playing the French. They've improved immensely since the Rugby World Cup when we last played them, and we're well aware they'll be looking to finish their autumn season with a big performance. As we all know, they're capable of producing wonderful rugby on their day. As always, we're looking forward to the challenge."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Matt Todd, 8 Kieran Read (captain)
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Rieko Ioane
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