HANSEN TO GIVE FRINGE PLAYERS A RUN OUT AS HE RESTS STARS FOR SCOTLAND

ALL BLACKS head coach Steve Hansen has picked a second-string side for their match against a France XV in Lyon tomorrow night, resting his big names for Saturday’s clash with Scotland. Luke Whitelock, drafted into the New Zealand squad as an injury replacement last week, will skipper the side at the Parc Olympique. Whitelock is due to leave the tour party after the game having been called up as emergency cover for injured Jerome Kaino. But Hansen (right) decided the 26-year-old loose forward was the best fit to captain the side in France. ‘He was an obvious choice given his experience and leadership as captain of both the Highlanders and Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup team,’ said Hansen. Whitelock won a single cap for New Zealand four years ago. Caps will not be awarded for the game but for Jack Goodhue, who starts at centre, and five of the seven replacements it is a chance for a first run out. The All Blacks meet Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, but front row star Dane Coles will miss out due to a serious knee injury.

NEW ZEALAND: 15-David Havili; 14-Matt Duffie, 13-Jack Goodhue, 12-Ngani Laumape, 11-Seta Tamanivalu; 10-Lima Sopoaga, 9-Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 8-Luke Whitelock, 7-Ardie Savea, 6-Liam Squire, 5-Dominic Bird, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 3-Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2-Nathan Harris, 1-Tim Perry. Replacements: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Atu Moli, 18-Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Akira Ioane, 21-Dillon Hunt, 22-Mitch Drummond, 23-Richie Mo’unga. SEAN VINCENT