ABs set to shake up side for

Multiple injuries and quest to build depth will see much-changed team to face France

The All Blacks will spin the selection wheel this week partly because they were always going to but more so because injury has once again hit them hard and left them short of choice.

So stand by for Shannon Frizell, the largely unknown and untried blindside from the Highlanders, to make his debut.

The 24-year-old, whose Super Rugby experience stretched to starting only three games when he was named in the squad in mid-May, is likely to start, as he’s probably going to be the only fit No 6 in the squad.

Vaea Fifita is battling concussion symptoms that haven’t ruled him out but make him at this stage unlikely to be available.

Liam Squire damaged his shoulder in the first minutes of the test in Wellington and again, while he hasn’t been scratched, the expectation is that he won’t recover in time, leaving Frizell as the only option.

The picture is similar at first-five, where Beauden Barrett, who failed his head injury assessment after the now infamous red card incident involving French fullback Benjamin Fall, reported not feeling well yesterday morning.

As a result, he hasn’t travelled with the team to Dunedin but may head south if he feels better today. He may even yet be available if he can pass the return-to-play protocols but in all probability won’t be risked, paving the way for Damian McKenzie or Richie Mo’unga to start.

“Beaudy has still got concussion symptoms, so at this stage, he won’t be travelling down to Dunedin,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

“With the concussion thing, we will wait and see. There is no point in putting him under the extra pressure of the travel. He can stay at home and rest and come down [today], or not come down at all.

“We won’t take any risks with him, it’s a long season. You have just got to weigh up the risks and rewards,