All Blacks make late change for second Test against France

All Blacks have been forced into a late lineup change ahead of their second Test against France in Wellington, after winger Caleb Clarke sustained an ankle injury during Thursday's training session.

The injury has ruled Clarke out of not only the upcoming match but also the remainder of the July series.

In response, Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa has been called up to start on the right wing. Rieko Ioane will switch from the right to the left wing, reprising his position from last week’s opening Test in Dunedin, which New Zealand narrowly won 31–27.

This is the latest in a series of injury concerns for the All Blacks. Captain Scott Barrett has already been sidelined with a calf injury, and fellow winger Sevu Reece is also unavailable after failing to recover from a head injury assessment following the first Test.

Stand-in captain Ardie Savea commented on Clarke’s injury, calling it “really unfortunate” and describing it as a freak incident during training. He praised Narawa’s quick adaptation, saying, “When you're in the All Blacks, if someone goes down, you have to be ready to step up.”

The updated backline includes Will Jordan at fullback, Narawa and Ioane on the wings, and Beauden Barrett at fly-half.

New Zealand have a 1-0 lead in the three game series following their 31-27 win in the first Test at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Revised New Zealand XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Damian McKenzie