Le Roux to face All Blacks

Christchurch - France coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Thursday announced four changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday, including a debut cap for South African-born flank Bernard Le Roux.

Saint-Andre also drafted prop Nicolas Mas, lock Christophe Samson and flyhalf Frederic Michalak into the side that lost 23-13 in the first Test in Auckland last Saturday.

Michalak and Samson both missed the opening clash against the All Blacks as they were among a contingent of players who arrived in New Zealand late because they were involved in the Top 14 final between Toulon and Castres.

Saint-Andre resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes to accommodate the latecomers but included Brice Dulin, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud on an eight-man bench.

Le Roux, 24, was rewarded for a fine performance on Tuesday against the Auckland Blues, when a second string France team overpowered the Super Rugby outfit 38-15.

"He's good in the ruck area and has qualities as a jumper, he had a very interesting game on Tuesday," Saint-Andre said of 24-year-old Racing-Metro loose forward.

Le Roux replaces Fulgence Ouedraogo, who suffered a sprained ankle and will miss the rest of the tour.

Teams:

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Rene Ranger

France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Adrien Plante, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Bernard Le Roux, 7  Louis Picamoles, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Christophe Samson, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Thomas Domingo

Substitutes: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Luc Ducalcon, 19 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20 Yannick Nyanga, 21 Brice Dulin, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Mathieu Bastareaud