TJ Perenara gets start ahead of regular scrum half Aaron Smith for All Blacks clash against France

TJ Perenara will start at scrum half ahead of regular Aaron Smith for New Zealand, while France have brought in Camille Lopez for Jean-Marc Doussain at fly half for their rugby test this weekend.

Smith was regarded as the best in his position in the world only months ago but has struggled to recover his best form since his return from a two-match disciplinary suspension. Perenara has been promoted to the starting XV in his place in the hope of adding stability to a struggling All Blacks backline.

In other changes to the starting line-up that beat Ireland 21-9 in Dublin last weekend, Ryan Crotty returns from injury at inside centre to renew his midfield partnership with Anton Lienert-Brown.

Israel Dagg moves from winger to fullback to replace the injured Ben Smith, and Waisake Naholo takes Dagg’s place on the right wing.

Lienert-Brown moves out one place to outside centre, replacing the suspended Malakai Fekitoa, and youngster Rieko Ioane joins the bench to provide cover in the outside backs.

Among the forwards, Matt Todd takes over at openside flanker from Sam Cane, who is injured, and Jerome Kaino returns from injury on the blindside flank.

The test at the Stade de France is the All Blacks’ 14th and last for this year. They have won 12 and lost one of their tests to date, suffering a single, historic, loss to Ireland.