All Blacks v France
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 July
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Scott Robertson is intending to use all of his available squad plus injury replacements for the three test series with France. The season opens this Saturday in front of a sold out Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and while the expectation is that he will name an experienced side on Thursday, all six new players will see the field in the next three weeks.
"That's the art of it isn't it? You know, like, you want to give everyone a possible go," said Robertson in Auckland when asked about how he will manage his squad.
"I've said look there's my plan to you know but we don't want to be held…on it because things do happen. But the goal is to play everyone, and you want to get some combinations, cohesion. That is our advantage at the moment. If we if we make it that way with guys that have played footy together, and then you get the balance of how many changes over the series."
Prop Ollie Norris, hooker Brodie McAlister, lock Fabian Holland, loose forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Christian Lio-Willie, and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai are all in line to become test players after strong Super Rugby Pacific seasons.
Du'Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: Michael Bradley/ActionPress
However, the news isn't as great for prop Tamaiti Williams, who will require surgery on his knee. The injury will keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks, a big blow for the powerful All Black front row rotation. Williams injured the knee against the Reds in the Crusaders' play-off match against the Reds, however returned to play in the final a fortnight later.
"It's tough, you know, he's obviously been in great form. But he'll rehab quickly and he's in good hands," said Robertson.
The All Black coach stopped short of addressing whether or not Williams should have played the final, which the Crusaders won 19-12 over the Chiefs.
"Well he played and we're here right now. So they're the facts."
Fellow Crusaders George Bower has come into the squad as injury cover and looks set to resume his test career after last playing for the All Blacks in 2022.
Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter
Robertson said that while France have sent an understrength team, the All Blacks still had plenty to play for. They have lost to the French three times in a row over the last four years and haven't beaten them since 2018.
"One thing with the French is they've got depth. (Coach Fabien Galthié)'s created depth previously over the last six years that he's had the squad. All those young, exciting players that've come through, French rugby's in good stead, in a good position."
Robertson is expecting a tough battle when the series begins.
"This is when they're probably at the most dangerous, when they're underestimated, aren't they? It's quite nice that (the media) tell the story, that they're depleted and all that, and then they get their backs up and then we get a ferocious French team."
