All Blacks vs France: Squad Announcement

Robertson Names Five New Caps in Bold All Blacks Squad for France Series

The All Blacks have unveiled a 33-player squad for the 2025 Lipovitan-D July Series against France, with head coach Scott Robertson handing out five new caps and striking a balance between experienced campaigners and emerging talent. The team will begin assembling in Auckland on June 25th, preparing for the first test against France on July 5th in Dunedin.

Continuity and Prospect Define Robertson’s First Squad

In his first squad declaration of the year, Robertson emphasized a strategic blend of familiarity and fresh faces. “Around three-quarters of the players named today were part of our squad for the 2024 Northern Tour, which is notable because we want to continue to build on the rugby we were playing at the end of last year,” a senior official stated. “We have balanced that with an exciting group of new and returning players who have performed during Super rugby Pacific.”

Did you know? The Lipovitan-D July Series is a key part of the All Blacks’ international season, providing crucial preparation for the Rugby Championship and other major tournaments.

Leadership Maintained with Barrett at the Helm

Scott barrett will continue his tenure as All Blacks Captain, a testament to his leadership qualities. He will be supported by Vice-Captains Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett.Robertson highlighted the importance of this leadership core, stating, “Scott’s leadership is hugely valued in this group, and well complimented by Ardie and Jordie. They will play a vital role…in supporting the transition of the new players into the habitat.”

New Caps Eager to Make Their Mark

The five players selected to receive their first all Blacks caps are: Ollie Norris (Chiefs), Brodie McAlister (Chiefs), Fabian Holland (Highlanders), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), and Timoci FallinganWai (highlanders). Robertson expressed his confidence in their potential, saying, “For the five uncapped players…this is a especially special day. These players have all impressed us with their talent and work ethic and have earned their opportunity.”

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the new caps during the July Series. These players ofen bring unexpected energy and dynamism to the team.

Squad Breakdown by Position

Here’s a detailed look at the squad composition:

Hookers: Codie Taylor (96 caps), Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister (*),

Props: Ethan de Groot (29 caps), Tamaiti Williams (18 caps), Ollie Norris (*), Tyrel Lomax (44 caps), fletcher Newell (22 caps), Maris Tosi (7 caps)

Locks: Scott Barrett (80 caps), Patrick Tuipulotu (51 caps), Josh Lord (38 caps), Fabian Holland (*)

Loose Forwards: Ardie Savea (94 caps), Luke Jacobson (24 caps), Du’Plessis Kirifi (*), Wallace Sititi (10 caps), Seaspenia (8 caps)

Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard (10 caps), Corta Ratima (11 caps), noah Hotham (1 cap)

First-Five Eighths: Beauden barrett (134 caps), damian McKenzie (61 caps)

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown (84 caps), Jordie Barrett (68 caps), Rieko Ioane (81 caps), Quinn Tupaea (14 caps), Billy Proctor (2 caps), Timoci FallinganWai (*)

Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke (29 caps), will Jordan (41 caps), Sevu Reece (32 caps), Ruben Love (1 cap)

Injury Updates and returning Players

Several players are unavailable due to injury, including Asa sailors, tuna Gangai, Sam garry, and Peter Stephen Prophet. However, the All Blacks welcome back hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and midfielder Quinn Tupaea after they overcame long-term injuries. Injury cover has been provided with Christian Lio-Willie stepping in for Luke Jacobson and Emoni Narawa covering for Anton Lienert-Brown.

July Series Fixtures

The All Blacks will face France in a three-match series:

• Saturday, July 5, 7:05 PM – All Blacks v France, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
• Saturday, July 12, 7:05 PM – All Blacks v France, Sky Stadium, Wellington
• Saturday, July 19, 7:05 PM – All Blacks v France, FMG Stadium, Hamilton

Robertson’s selections signal a clear intent to build upon the foundations laid in 2024 while simultaneously injecting new energy and talent into the All Blacks setup, setting the stage for an exciting July series against a formidable French side.

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A Deeper Dive into the All Blacks’ Strategy: The Five-Man Selection Panel

Beyond the player selections, the appointment of a five-man selection panel under Scott Robertson represents a significant shift in the All Blacks’ approach [[1]]. This panel, a departure from the “three wise men” approach of the past, promises a broader range of perspectives and a more thorough evaluation process as the team gears up for the series against France and beyond.

The panel’s composition and its specific roles in the selection process provide valuable insights into Robertson’s long-term vision.This method ensures that selecting the best players is a collaborative effort.

The Philosophy Behind a Larger panel

The move to a five-person panel isn’t simply about adding more voices around the table. It reflects a desire to encompass a wider scope of expertise. This includes:

• Diverse expertise: The panel can incorporate expertise in specific areas, from scrummaging to backline play, providing a more nuanced assessment of each player’s capabilities.
• Broader perspectives: A larger panel is designed to bring greater diversity of thought, possibly leading to less bias and fairer opportunities