Stade de France, Paris
Having avenged their Chicago defeat to Ireland in Dublin last Saturday, New Zealand travel to Paris this weekend aiming to end a record-breaking year on a high. France have enjoyed some famous wins over the All Blacks in the past, but have not tasted victory against the world champions for more that seven years. They have lost the last nine meetings between the two sides, and suffered the ignominy of a 62-13 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal defeat in their previous encounter in Cardiff 13 months ago.
Les Bleus will be thirsty for revenge of their own. They can take confidence from their performance against Australia last Saturday, when they came within a missed drop goal of a much-needed win. But the All Blacks represent a step up in class from the Wallabies, and were at their ruthless best to beat Ireland in Dublin. Both sides have made changes for this clash, but it promises to be another bruising Test match.
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Team newsCamille Lopez, who missed the crucial drop goal against Australia last week, has been recalled to the No. 10 shirt and will start alongside Maxime Machenaud at half-back. Fullback Brice Dulin is also back in Guy Noves' starting XV, while Xavier Chiocci starts in the front row with Cyril Baille on the bench.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made five changes to the side that beat Ireland in Dublin. TJ Perenara has been named at scrum-half in place of Aaron Smith, while Matt Todd and Waisake Naholo replace the injured Sam Cane and Ben Smith. There are also starts for Jerome Kaino and Ryan Crotty, who comes in for the suspended Malakai Fekitoa.
France: Dulin, Nakaitaci, Lamerat, Fofana, Vakatawa, Lopez, Machenaud; Chiocci, Guirado, Atonio, Vahaamahina, Maestri, Ollivon, Gourdon, Picamoles.
Replacements: Chat, Baille, Slimani, Chouly, Serin, Doussain, Fickou.
New Zealand: Dagg, Naholo, Lienert-Brown, Crotty, J. Savea, B. Barrett, Perenara; Moody, Coles, Franks, Retallick, Whitelock, Kaino, Todd, Read.
Replacements: Taylor, Crockett, Faumuina, S. Barrett, A. Savea, A. Smith, Cruden, Ioane
Key head-to-head
The hosts will be smarting from conceding nine tries in a World Cup blowout defeat to the All Blacks. France had clung on to a degree in Cardiff until Louis Picamoles was sent to the bin, and their No. 8 will be an important presence again in Paris. Kieran Read has led New Zealand to victory in all-but one of their Tests in 2016, but the captain's own performance has come under scrutiny. If Picamoles can get the better of their battle at the Stade de France then France may have a chance. Ireland had some success at the breakdown in both Chicago and Dublin, but even so were unable to turn territory into points last weekend.
Picamoles will need to lead by example here, and hope that his back-row colleagues can provide the kind of energy that Sean O'Brien displayed at the Aviva Stadium. With Jerome Kaino back for the All Blacks, though, and Read showing signs that he is back to somewhere near his best in Ireland, it may still not be enough.
Weather
Following the freezing welcome they received in Dublin, the All Blacks can expect more clement condition in the French capital. Paris is predicted to be cloudy, but dry and with a temperature of around nine degrees at kick off.
Prediction
The All Blacks will arrive in Paris with their confidence well and truly restored. They proved in Dublin that they can win even when things aren't going their way, and while a bruising Test match has left them counting the cost of injuries, Steve Hansen has been able to replace quality with quality. France have struggled for consistency under Guy Noves -- quelle surprise -- and are still waiting for his reign to really take off. Unfortunately for those travelling to Saint Denis in support of the hosts on Saturday, the signs do not suggest that ignition will arrive this weekend.
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