Scott Robertson has called up five new faces for his first All Blacks class of 2025, with his 35-man squad for next month’s series against France named.
Following a spate of injuries and departures offshore, Robertson has put his faith in four newcomers to face Les Bleus, themselves weakened by
All Blacks squad: * = new selection
Hookers:
Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister*
Props:
Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris*, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
Locks:
Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland*, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i
Loose forwards:
Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi*, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks:
Noah Hotham, Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard
First five-eighths:
Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai*
Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Sevu Reece
Injury cover:
Christian Lio-Willie for Luke Jacobson, Emoni Narawa for Anton Lienert-Brown
Unavailable due to injury:
Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta
What a day. That's all from us in terms of live coverage, but we'll keep bringing you more throughout the day as we digest the first All Blacks squad of the year.
Thanks for joining us, and we'll see you soon!
"It means everything," the lock told Sky Sport. "I left [the Netherlands] when I was 16, my brother and sister were both 13.
"I've been here for six years, you miss crucial time of them growing up. It was very hard, Covid hit in the meanwhile.
"All that sacrifice comes to this moment. It's pretty special.
"That's what all the emotion was about. Mum straight away jumped in my arms, it was emotional."
"I was by myself. I missed a call, I saw the message and had to call Razor back," Timoci Tavatavanawai said.
"I was doing some gardening. I messaged my missus, she was at work. I made a call to my family that look after me here in New Zealand.
"It was pretty awesome."
"I found out yesterday, I got a call from Razor. I was going to go out for breakfast with to see foster family with my Mum and my brother," Fabian Holland said.
"My mum flew out from the Netherlands, coincidentally. I got a phone call, I'm pretty sure I blacked out for a little bit. I was speechless.
"After that, it was really emotional having all my family there, and calling my old man and my sister back home."
"I was just at home, getting ready to watch my partner [Northern Stars' Mila Reuelu-Buchanan] play netball," Du’Plessis Kirifi told Sky Sport.
"I got the call from Razor. It's a pretty special moment, I was lucky to make some phone calls to my mum and dad and my partner. It was a special day yesterday.
"[I just needed to] be more consistent, be a reliable teammate, and more physical on both sides of the ball. I'm pretty proud of my season.
"Some would say I'm a specialist No 7, but if they ask me to play any other position, I'll put my hand up and do it to the best of my ability."
Last year, there were suggestions Robertson favoured his former Crusaders charges – who finished last of the Kiwi teams. This year, there can be no qualms.
Here's how it breaks down:
Chiefs: 12
Crusaders: 8
Hurricanes: 7
Blues: 4
Highlanders: 3
Moana Pasifika: 1
Robertson says there is plenty of flexibility in covering the outside backs.
Ioane, as well as the selected first fives, can all shift outward if needed.
Anton Lienert-Brown has been a notable absentee for the Chiefs after his broken collarbone. Interestingly, club teammate Emoni Narawa – a specialist winger – is listed as cover.
In the forwards, Christian Lio-Willie is named to cover Luke Jacobson. He's predominantly a No 8, while Jacobson will likely contest for the All Blacks No 6 jersey, given the strength of Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi.
It's close, but you'd have to say the Chiefs man's return is the best story.
Three years ago, he suffered the worst injury possible when he was thuggishly taken out by Darcy Swain.
Now, he's back in black, after being a standout in Super Rugby Pacific.
Surprisingly, the midfield looks packed.
Despite only two starting spots being up for grabs, there are six players picked in this squad. That's not including Super Rugby Pacific-winning captain David Havili, either.
Meanwhile, the outside backs are just four deep for three starting spots.
That means guys are going to have to cover more than one position – both Rieko Ioane and Timoci Tavatavanawai can do both, but how much will be asked of them?
