Scott Robertson names his 35-man All Blacks squad for France series

Great team, fantastic stuff Razor and team.

Some of the key things I want to see now is if;

The two locks, Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i get a proper go at the 6 jersey. This means, the right opponent with the right plan, which is obviously going to not be Plan A

Beauden Barrett return to the 15 jersery, and Love continue his transition into a 10

The movement of players in and out of a squad, so Ethan Blackadder or Dalton coming in for Luke Jacobson, or Reihana for like Barrett or a midfielder, etc etc, and not just when theres an injury

These guys get actual opportunity of the field and not just <5 minutes at the end of the game

The use of utility in the backs with Jordie and Timico being used as perfect 23s in a 6/2 bench, with each getting time at fullback and wing respectively, along with Rieko getting even more time than last year on the wing to see if he can be a viable starter their

How they bring in even further stars of the future into the large squad, players like Tangitau, Carter, Parker, Kyren, Reihana, ENS, CLW etc etc

Great team. I really hope the All Blacks give France their biggest defeat in Test History.

Fabien Galthie: “I have no choice but to select a second-choice squad for their upcoming three-Test series against the All Blacks in New Zealand in July”

As explained by the FFR (Fédération Française de Rugby), Fabien Galthié will be allowed to:

– Select a group of 42 players, composed primarily of players who had played little to no game time in the previous Six Nations.

– Five players in total from the Top 14 finalists can be in the squad. However, those who have already played a certain number of games [not stipulated by any of the parties] can’t be included.

It suits Galthie’s aspirations for the next World Cup to tour with a second choice squad. No doubt the tour will ‘produce a star or two for France.

Let’s hope the All Blacks start well in the First Test of the series and sit the frogs on their arse.

Galthie is also allowed to bring French players to N.Z. who didn’t play in the First Test.

If France B, excel in the first test, I am pretty sure Galthie won’t be calling on his French Test players.

Let’s hope the All Blacks turn the French into "cuisses de grenouille"

Impressive squad, seems to have picked on form.

I am a little surprised they are only 2 deep at fly-halve?

If Barrett starts and D-Mac benches as a utility back, would they do the unthinkable and try to match a French 7:1 split?

I think the squad opens up for a 6-2 bench alternative, which has not been the case in previous years. A backline of Roigard - Barrett - Barrett - Ioane - Reece - Tavatavanawai - Jordan with reserves Ratima - DMac for example would be able to cover all positions, and allow the selection of a big forward pack with 6 run on reserves. Will be interesting to see if they go down this route in one of the tests.

Still good enough to beat second string French side.

No Convinced by Noah Hotham. Too slow.

Not impressed by Fltecher Newall.

As always with Razor slightly unorthodox with a few surprises. Last year Blackadder was rushed back into the starting 15 after a long injury lay off and no game time, this year on the back of a good body of work in which he was immense in the final he doesn’t even make the squad. But Finau, who possibly wouldn’t have even been starting for the Chiefs if Parker was fit is the only specialist 6 in the squad. Likewise Havili, great season and a great final, much better than last year by all measures but doesn’t make the cut.

6 mid fielders when 4 will do, but only 5 loosies when 7 would be useful -> Maybe Lakai and Parker come in? No 3rd choice at 10 meaning if one of BB or DMac sustain a mid to long term injury there is no one they are specifically trusting to come into the team and be able to close out matches - maybe they think Love is the 3rd best 10 in NZ?

Great to see Tavatavanawai straight in on the back of a huge season - he should 100% be in the 23. There have been players before like Stevenson or Sotutu who had the season of the their lives and didn’t get picked, so this is great and a little surprising to see.

Only 4 locks and no lock cover among the loosies named. This seems like an area we need to be developing more players rather than concentrating the talent pool down further. Maybe when Darry is fit he finds his way back in, but it would be good to see Lord or whoever the 6th best lock is around the squad too.

One thing I continue to find strange about ABs selection going back many years is that they are obsessed with backs being able to cover multiple positions, but they don’t take advantage of this in any way. The fact that we have 3 players who can play 12, and 3 that can play 13, doesn’t stop them from selecting ALB to cover 12 and 13 giving them 4 options at each position - what is the point of this? Likewise Love, I really like him, especially at 10, But they have Jordan, BB, Dmac who all play 15 at test level, as well as JB who is world class at 15 to cover, so why take up another spot in the squad with yet another 15? Why do we need four options for every position in the backs except 10, which is arguably the most important one where we have not been able to develop a new test player for 8 or 9 years.

And unless there is a big change this year they also don’t use all these utility backs to enable a 6-2 bench split, and will instead pick a specialist winger on the bench to come on and play the last 10 minutes.

I’m not a Crusaders fan by any stretch but credit where credit is due, their finals run proved they have some class operators in big games. A couple takes regarding the Saders in the ABs as we can now all support them too:

Jordan - He’s a test match 15, that debate is over, he’s world class at the back.

Newell - A beast, and could make the ABs scrum a real weapon. Especially if fatigue becomes more of a factor at test level.

Christian Lio Willie - Serious bruiser, could be the big tall loosie we’ve been looking for, well deserved call up.

Scott Barett - Sometimes actions speak louder than words…

Codie Taylor - Looks good at 34! Hope he can keep it up until 2027

Blackadder - Thought he was immense in the finals, maybe not as explosive as others but certainly has a big motor. Interesting he wasn’t retained, could the japan rumors be true?

Very happy with newbies, particularly Holland, Kirifi, Tavatavanawai, & Norris. All potential game changers. Kirifi reminds me of Kwagga Smith, same height but Dupe’s 10kgs heavier. Bench impact assured. 3rd hooker’s basically a training partner in a 3-test series so McAllister gets the nod this time. Good for him.

Overall, the potential game day permutations are exciting. All in all, well done Razor & coaching team.

The presence of only two wingers, Clarke and Reece, makes me think they'll be competing with each other rather than both starting.

Tangitau would have been selected if he hadn’t gotten injured... I’m convinced of it. He has the pace for the international level.

Leroy Carter is good but probably seen as too small for this level, where the aerial game is very important.

Fainga’anuku will likely be added for the Rugby Championship, which will provide a viable option on the wing... or at centre.

A good squad from Razor. It opens up some exciting possibilities.

Lots of centres and very few wingers… which could mean that Jordie and Rieko might be tested in other positions. A return of Jordie at 15 and Jordan at 14? Not impossible. Love will also be part of the conversation.

The expected newcomers are here. Kirifi as a starter right away? Not out of the question.

Tavatavanawai — will he bring to the international stage what we saw in Super Rugby? I'm really curious to see that.

This time, no one can accuse Robertson of Crusaders favoritism anymore. I didn’t expect Havili and Blackadder to be left out of the squad.

Looking forward to seeing the first lineup of the season.