Scott Robertson breaks down the tough Grand Slam selections

When naming an All Blacks squad for an end-of-year tour, there’s always going to be players who feel hard done by, or players who may be lucky to have kept a spot in the black jersey.

This year’s squad naming for the 2025 grand slam feels no different, with All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson naming a 36-man squad tasked with taking on four International sides during November.

Crusaders hooker George Bell gets the nod over Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister, while injuries to members of the Rugby Championship squad has forced Robertson to call in some of the previous squad’s injury cover replacements

Josh Lord replaces Tupou Vaa’i who has been ruled out with a knee injury, while Tevita Mafileo joins the squad in place of Tyrel Lomax.

Robertson, who spoke to media in Christchurch on Monday, explains that his squad makeup gives him some options all around the park, with players who can play multiple positions.

“Oh, look, you can see with Samipeni Finau covering lock, that’s our fifth lock, and we’ve got some outside backs that can cover midfield and vice versa.

“So that’s a that’s what you need, and it’s great, we’ve got a bench that can come on with a lot of power, and guys can play in different positions, especially in the loose-forwards, which is a real positive.”

When asked about the inclusion of Finlay Christie as the third halfback, Robertson says that it’s about the balance of the group.

“Yeah, I think it’s a balance of the group, we’ve had a few injuries, obviously, through the year, and we’ve given guys one or two Test matches, and that’s why the All Blacks XV is there, so they can play and then they’re available to come over.

“We just feel like the thing with Finlay is that he’s Test level, he’s Test ready, and he’ll come in if it’s an arm wrestle.”

Another player who didn’t feature too much in the Rugby Championship was Crusaders winger Sevu Reece, but Razor says his coaching staff need to get the best out of him on this end-of-year tour.

“Yeah if you look at all the positions, it’s a great position we’re in, the guys have taken opportunities, and he could compete, and it’s another opportunity for the end of the tour to see who will compete,” Robertson told media in Christchurch.

“We know what he can do when he’s at his best, and ourselves as a group and a coaching group, needs to get the best out of him.

“So another opportunity for him, when he gets the ball his hands, and he can, he can jam and he can play and he just needs to have great weeks. Like some of our trainings this year he’s been really superb, and he’s trained well.”

On the battle between the two hookers, Robertson and his coaching staff believes that Bell is best suited to this tour, and McAlister for the All Blacks XV.

“George Bell has had one of those injury plagued seasons, again that hasn’t quite got his feet underneath him, and now he has, you know, is playing really good rugby.

“Brodie came in and did a great job for us and we just think George’s best suited to this this tour.”

Robertson says that Sam Darry’s injury earlier on in this season meant that he hadn’t played much of late, so the lock will be in the All Blacks XV squad instead.

“Yeah Sam just got that injury at a niggly time for Sam and Josh Lord’s played a lot more rugby. He’s been in and around the environment.

“And you know it guarantees Sam Darry will be named tomorrow as well, so he can be part of the group and actually play some rugby.

“That’s the key, fit and ready locks is what we found out, guys coming back into the squad that need rugby, or had played rugby.”