Five Hurricanes have been included in the All Blacks team to face France in Saturday's first test of the Lipovitan-D July Series, in Dunedin.
After being called into the All Blacks as injury cover on two separate occasions in 2020 and 2024, Flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi is set to make his debut off the bench following a series of standout displays throughout this year’s DHL Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
He joins Hurricanes teammates Billy Proctor, Cam Roigard, and Pasilio Tosi in the All Blacks team, all of whom return to the national side after featuring last year.
Billy Proctor also makes his second start at centre, alongside the returning Jordie Barrett, who will be rejoining the Hurricanes next season after his title-winning sabbatical with Irish side Leinster.
Tyrel Lomax is out with a calf injury. He joins fellow front-rower Tamaiti Williams in being sidelined.
The team also sees starting debuts for Fabian Holland and Christian Lio-Willie, with Ollie Norris joining Du'Plessis Kirifi in the reserves, with both expected to come off the bench.
All Black Coach Scott Robinson said “This is a huge moment for these men and their families; we are all thrilled for them. For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd, and I am sure Fabian’s Highlanders supporters and Christian’s Otago fans will be out in full force,”.
"Ollie and Du’Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready.”
The All Blacks squad for the first test of the Lipovitan-D July Series:
Team
- Ethan de Groot
- Codie Taylor
- Fletcher Newell
- Scott Barrett (c)
- Fabian Holland
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Ardie Savea
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Cam Roigard
- Beauden Barrett
- Sevu Reece
- Jordie Barrett
- Billy Proctor
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
