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Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Sam Cane will not play the French in Paris.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has been ruled out of the World Cup opener against France because of injury.
No 8 Ardie Savea will take over the reins as skipper for the match in Paris on Saturday morning.
The omission of openside flanker Cane means Dalton Papali’i will shift from blindside flanker to the other side of the scrum.
Tupou Vaa’i has been promoted from the bench to started at No 6.
Lock Brodie Retallick, who originally hasn’t listed in the match-day 23 because of a knee injury, has been listed in the reserves.
It has been reported that Cane has been forced to withdraw because of back spasms.
The decision to withdraw Cane means the All Blacks will be without another first-string player for this crucial match at Stade de France.
This is a major blow even before a ball had been kicked in anger at Stade de France.
Cane’s absence adds to a series of defections that have left coach Ian Foster well short of his top lineup, with regular No 12 Jordie Barrett ruled out earlier in the week with a knee strain, and starting tighthead Tyrel Lomax (cut knee) and blindside flanker Shannon Frizell (hamstring) also recovering from injuries.
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