Scott Robertson explains All Blacks' back three shake up

Scott Robertson has made a significant change to the All Blacks‘ back three for their second Test against the Springboks, moving superstar speedster Will Jordan to the right wing, bringing in former supersub Damian McKenzie at fullback, and introducing debutant Leroy Carter on the left edge.

The changes confirm Emoni Narawa’s rib injury is going to sideline him for an as-yet unknown period of time, while Rieko Ioane has been dropped and is understood to be grieving the loss of his grandmother.

With plenty of versatility and options on offer to replace the duo in this Saturday’s Wellington Test, Robertson has looked to the experienced hand – and boot – of McKenzie and the X-factor of Carter ahead of the likes of Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke and Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Ruben Love has also been promoted to the No. 23 jersey for the occasion, offering the 10 and 15 cover that McKenzie usually brings.

The coach said dropping Ioane from the matchday squad was a matter of giving another player an opportunity, as is his job as selector. The coach went on to discuss Leroy Carter’s point of difference.

“He’s about that big,” the coach said, signalling Carter’s height as roughly around eye level. “He’s fast and he’s got some great hops. He competes, and we just think it’s a great opportunity for him this weekend. He’s been superb for us at training, and has had a great year, and now’s his time.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

17

24

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

Carter is in just his first year of professional 15-aside rugby, having played for the All Blacks Sevens for the past three years. Robertson was asked if the speedster was on his radar before the Chiefs signed him for the 2025 season.

“We knew he was there. We knew from his NPC form that he could play a few positions, and because he could cover midfield, wing and halfback.

“As soon as he committed to sign for Super (Rugby) – he wanted to get through the Olympics and made that decision – we thought, ‘Here we go, we’re going to have a look’. He’s got a point of difference.

“He’s been around, he’s mature, he’s 26 or 27. He’s had some hard knocks; he’s been around for some big games, some big events with the Sevens. He goes by his work, and training well is part of our selection policy, and he’s done that. So, like all the players we’ve picked, we believe he’ll step up.

The coach later added: “He complements that back three, he’s great at the kick chase, extremely quick, and his work rate is as good as they come. So we’re excited by it.”

With Caleb Clarke and Leicester Fainga’anuku both having experience on the left wing, there were other options Robertson could have looked to. However, the coach explained how Clarke’s recent injury and Fainga’anuku’s recent return from France influenced their selection thinking.

“Caleb’s just back into the environment from a long time out. Look, he’s had a couple of great games (in the NPC) and has done everything he needs to. He turned up late on Monday, and we just felt the best thing was for him to just get his feet underneath him and have a good training week.

“Obviously, Leicester’s played a lot of midfield over at Toulon, and we just felt the balance for this week is someone that’s been with the group for a long period of time. They’re close calls, those.”

As for Ioane, some work-ons have been discussed.

“Rieko, there’ll be a lot of one-on-one technical stuff that every player has to grow in their game. We’ve obviously given him a crack at wing; his work ethic and his work off the ball have been incredible, and there’ll be a few touches that we need to improve, which he’s well aware of.”

All in all, the coaches believe they have selected a backfield trio that covers all the bases.

“With DMac coming on early into the (Eden Park) Test match, he gave us a really good balance, he gave us the ability to have two or three pivots on the pitch. And it also gave Will Jordan the ability to play a bit differently.

“And obviously, with Ruben coming off the bench, it gives us a really good balance. We still think there’ll be an aerial game, but we’ve got a lot of speed and finishers, which South Africa have as well. So it’s a good balance for us.”