Energetic France will prove real test: Foster At a glance

The All Blacks have done their study and they’re not buying reports that an under-strength French rugby squad heading their way next month are a form of roadkill in rugby boots.

France coach Jacques Brunel has named his squad of 32 and, as predicted, some big names are missing. Skipper Guilhem Guirado has been rested, as has highly regarded flanker Wenceslas Lauret.

Lionel Beauxis, Yacouba Camara, Baptiste Couilloud, Brice Dulin, Yoann Huget, Arthur Iturria, Paul Jedrasiak, Maxime Machenaud, Geoffrey Palis, Marco Tauleigne, Camille Lopez and Francois Trinh-Duc are unavailable because of injury, Louis Picamoles and Virimi Vakatawa are awaiting surgery while Jefferson Poirot and Sebastien Vahaamahina are suspended.

The touring group includes just seven players who started the test against the All Blacks in Paris last November. And there will be defections for the series opener in Auckland on June 9 because of the French Top 14 final being played just a week earlier.

But defections and delayed arrivals are something the French have learned to live with over the years.

In 2009 a supposedly weakened French team stunned the New Zealanders 29-22 in their June tour opener in Dunedin, and the All Blacks brains trust are adamant they have to be prepared for a similar ambush from a touring side they say is on the improve.

‘‘It’s been interesting seeing reports about the French not sending over a strong team,’’ said assistant coach Ian Foster. ‘‘When you go through the detail they’re actually bringing over a lot of energy.

‘‘They’ve had a Six Nations where they grew and grew [and finished 2-3], and we saw a distinct change in the way they’re trying to play and the attitude. The reports we’ve had is there is real energy among their players to come over here.’’

Meanwhile, Chiefs prop Karl Tu’inukuafe has been called into the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement for Tim Perry, who strained a hamstring in camp in Auckland this week.

‘‘There is real energy among their players to come over here.’’ All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster

Babillot, Cyril Baille, Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Eddy Ben Arous, Hugo Bonneval, Pierre Bougarit, Camille Chat, Geoffrey Doumayroum, Benjamin Fall, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana Paul Gabrillagues, Kelian Galletier, Cedate Gomes Sa, Kevin Gourdon, Remy Grosso, Felix Lambey, Remi Lamerat, Alexandre Lapandry, Bernard Le Roux, Yoann Maestri, Maxime Medard, Morgan Parra, Adrien Pelissie, Jules Plisson, Dany Priso, Fabien Sanconnie, Baptiste Serin, Rabah Slimani, Teddy Thomas.

France squad to tour New Zealand: Uini Atonio, Mathieu