Justin Marshall's surprise back row selection for the All Blacks

Former All Black halfback Justin Marshall has picked his hypothetical starting XV for the All Blacks based only on current Super Rugby form.

Under Marshall’s criteria if the All Blacks were playing France next weekend, the likes of Richie Mo’unga, Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett would be unavailable for selection and thus have not been picked.

Marshall’s XV embraced a “sweeping the sheds” mentality, taking an approach to refresh the team which includes two new caps, Hurricanes flanker Devan Flanders and Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau.

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His surprising back row selections were Flanders at blindside, Wallace Sititi at openside and Peter Lakai at No.8, leaving out last year’s debutant Simon Parker from the Chiefs, and Hurricanes openside Du’Plessis Kirifi.

“I look at the balance of the back row and we want big, strong, hard-carrying, work rate type players,” Marshall said of his selections on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.

“A guy like Devan Flanders, he’s 6’4, 110kgs, 26-years-old I think, and he’s got a massive work rate. He’s got ball skills, pre and post contact, he could fit in with Peter Lakai at No.8 and Wallace Sititi on the side of the scrum.”

Flanders has been one of the form players for the Hurricanes in 2026, a versatile loosie who also provides a reliable option at lineout.

The Hurricanes have one of the strongest defensive lineouts in the competition after recruiting Brave Blossoms lock Warner Dearns, who ranks first equal with seven lineout steals this year.

Flanders ranks third equal along with Isaiah Walker-Leawere each with four steals each, meaning three of the top five players are from the Hurricanes.

The surprise selection by Marshall in the back row is Wallace Sititi at openside, a position that is foreign to him. He’s exclusively played No.8 for the Chiefs while beginning his international career at No.6. His only start at openside came for the New Zealand U20s back in 2021.

Towards the back end of 2026 Lakai had established himself as a quality starter for the All Blacks at No.8, but has played a lot of openside with the Hurricanes.

Although Marshall pre-faced the discussion with Savea not being available, conversation turned to what to do with him once he returned.

“Do you think the country can swallow Ardie Savea not starting in an All Black side if he’s fit and available, but he comes off the bench?” Marshall asked.

“Because Ardie is not going to be there forever.”

Ex-All Black wing Jeff Wilson recently floated the idea of Savea being a finisher player for the All Blacks and doubled down: “But Scott Barrett is going to be in the same conversation,” Wilson said.

“Yeah I know they are 100 Test All Blacks and they’ve been great All Blacks, but at what point are going, how best can they impact the game.

“And to me, if you’re going ‘I’m worried about leadership’, you’re talking about guys who have played over 100 Tests.”

The Breakdown panel discussed the possibility of Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett all being named on the All Blacks bench in 2026.

Both former All Blacks were willing to see that happen for the good of the team, with Marshall pointing to the departures in 1997 making way for a raw, young All Blacks team in 1998.

“Are we going to be prepared to take that step [of putting them on the bench],” Marshall said.

“We have to look at our shape, our attack, our defence, what our whole game plan looks like without those guys that have been there for the last decade.

“Our success rate, and everyone is aware of this, is not good enough. So how do we change the picture and how do we move forward?