ABs treating game as 2nd French test

LOCALLY, the midweek match in Lyon is billed as the second French test. That is exactly how these All Blacks are treating it too.

A squad of 43 players — around 70 with management factored in — is looking forward to such a game.

Like the All Blacks, the French view this match at the new Groupama Stadium as a chance to develop depth.

The French side contains several experienced figures — first fiveeighth Franc¸ois TrinhDuc and fullback Scott Speeding two familiar faces. Unlike their test counterparts, they should not take 40 minutes to get into the game.

That suits the All Blacks. Their young lineup, captained by Luke Whitelock and with Tawera KerrBarlow’s 27 caps leading the way, has only three players — Liam Squire, Nathan Harris and Lima Sopoaga — expected to back up against Scotland this weekend. But a genuine challenge is welcomed.

With no Kieran Read, Beauden Barrett or Sam Cane, Sopoaga and Tawera KerrBarlow need to step up and direct.

Fourteen of this squad played against the Barbarians in the opening tour match at Twickenham; all except rookie Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue and Squire, both of whom were struck down by illnesses, have had a run.

Traditionally, secondstring All Blacks teams struggle but the expectations are this side will gel much better than those against the Baabaas. Noone wants to see a repeat of that scrappy first half.

It also seems the All Blacks will embrace their natural flair after being encouraged to adopt a licence to thrill.

While this is not a test in title, there should be no shortage of intrigue. Goodhue is a prospect of genuine quality, and his first crack at centre outside Ngani Laumape holds major appeal.

Then there is the feelgood story of Dillon Hunt, the Otago openside flanker who emerged from Dunedin’s University club side to be on the verge of debuting for the All Blacks from the bench.

‘‘He’s just a kid who came out of nowhere and didn’t have anything,’’ Sopoaga, Hunt’s Highlanders teammate, said.

‘‘Now he gets to chuck on a black jersey and run out there with guys he probably never thought he would play alongside. That’s pretty special for a guy like that; someone who has persevered, had a bit of luck and worked hard.’’ — NZME