The New Zealand All Blacks name Ruben Love as their starting flyhalf for their Nations Championship opener against France in Christchurch. Multiple reports say this is the head-coaching debut for Dave Rennie, who selects Love at No. 10 rather than choosing more experienced options such as Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. The selection is presented as a key part of Rennie’s approach for the match, with Love having performed strongly in recent Super Rugby playoffs and being described as offering a different style of play compared with the senior flyhalves.
Both sources also note that the lineup includes additional changes beyond the flyhalf decision. Winnipeg Free Press reports that there are two new caps in the Nations Championship lineup, indicating that Rennie is also giving opportunities to players with limited or no previous All Blacks test experience. Overall, the match-day team is built around Love’s start at flyhalf and a broader rotation that introduces at least two uncapped or newly capped players, setting up a fresh-look All Blacks side to face France.
