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Intre 8 si 22 iunie, Noua Zeelanda se va confrunta in trei partide test cu Franta, o succesiune de jocuri din cadrul turneului anual intitulat Steinlager Series.
Va fi pentru a cincea oara cand “Les Bleus” participa la un astfel de turneu in 2001 si 2003 jucand impotriva All Blacks in Philips International Series iar in 2007 si 2009 in Iveco International Series, schimbarile de titulatura intervenind din motive de marketing.
In aceste dispute Franta a reusit o singura data sa se impuna in patria rugby-ului, se intampla in 2009 atunci cand “cocosii” au castigat cu 27-22, in fata All Blacks. Restul au fost castigate de neozeelandezi cu 37-12 in 2001, 31-23 in 2003, 42-11 respectiv 61-10 in 2007 si 14-10 in 2009.
Pentru disputele din luna iunie antrenorul All Blacks, Steve Hansen a anuntat un lot de jucatori in care figureaza sase jucatori debutanti alaturi de nume consacrate precum Daniel Carter, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ma’a Nonu sau Kieran Read cel care va fi si capitanul echipei in lipsa lui Richie McCaw.
Debutanti in echipamentul negru cu frunza de feriga pe piept vor fi: Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Steven Luatua, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Afeaki si Matt Todd.
Lotul convocat de Steven Hansen arata astfel:
Ben Afeaki (Chiefs), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Tony Woodcock (Highlanders), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Andrew Hore (Highlanders), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Luke Romano (Crusaders), Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Steven Luatua (Blues), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Kieran Read (captain, Crusaders), Matt Todd (Crusaders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Piri Weepu (Blues), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Ma’a Nonu (Highlanders), Rene Ranger (Northland, Blues), Francis Saili (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Charles Piutau (Blues), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Ben Smith (Highlanders).
Programul partidelor din cadrul Steinlager Series este urmatorul:
8 iunie-Auckland: Noua Zeelanda Vs Franta
15 iunie-Christchurch: Noua Zeelanda Vs Franta
22 iunie-New Plymouth: Noua Zeelanda Vs Franta
