After the helm of his maiden and challenging season, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is set to name a team of 32 in July to welcome a second French language.
Liam Napier is implementing rules about who is hot, who is not, and where changes can occur.
Props
keep: Ethan de Groot, Tyrell Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Tamaite Williams
garbage: Opha Tunggaphasi, Pasilio test
addition: Xavier Numia
So long ago, the all-black people who supported inventory were a source of great concern, are now in the realm of strength.
Ethan de Groot is under pressure to evolve his game after Tamaite Williams surpassed him on last year’s Northern Tour, but he will need to maintain his position alongside Veteran of Tungafasi for the rest of the superseason after undergoing neck surgery. Such a procedure casts a cloud that is potentially highly unlikely to exist beyond the involvement of Tu’ungafasi in July.
Numia fits the mold as modern, mobile, athletic, skilled props. His hurricane teammate Pasilio Tosi risks losing his place after struggling to consistently score a spot on the bench behind Lomax, one of the world’s leading TighTheads. Toshi, the biggest bolter of Robertson’s first team, was sometimes impressed by the All Blacks bench, but still doesn’t know what he could have been like this season.
Hooker
keep: Codie Taylor, Metapha
garbage: George Bell
addition: Samyson Translation
Samison Takeho’s return from Aquiles surgery, which eliminated him from the entire Test season last year, will provide the All Blacks with two destructive ball carriers. Asafo Aumua has grown to prove his mature status in the absence of Codie Taylor last year. Aumua has fought to regain its shape due to a struggling hurricane, but he remains the hooker lock behind Taylor.
Second Choice Crusader hooker George Bell was included as a future project last year ahead of several more established forms of candidates, resulting in almost game time. After suffering a broken leg in the preseason, which ended before the season, Bell gives way to Takehoho’s return. rock
Keep: Scott Barrett, the best, Patrick Tiver
Dump: Sam Dary
Added by: Fabian Holland
Robertson chose three locks with his first team last July, but was able to do so again with the established Scott Barrett, Tupouvaeye and Patrick Twiprotou rotation, depending on his loose forward mix balance. Alternatively, last year’s rookie Sam Darry missed the blues campaign with a shoulder injury, allowing the All Blacks to start apprentice to Dutch-born Highlanders second-lower Fabian Holland.
The 22-year-old 2.04m presence, the Netherlands was able to qualify for New Zealand late last year and was quickly selected as the second-class All Blacks XV. He had heavy workloads for the struggling Highlanders this season, but he spent time at the All Black Camp and benefited from potential debuting against France.
Backrow
keep: Ethan Blackarder, Lake Jacob, Dalton Pappalli, Aadie Save, Wallace Simppert, Peter Leakey
garbage: Sam Karine, Sheeblop
addition:
Easy and toughest selection area. Robertson, like most black coaches before him, has proven to be loyal. Still, even if Sam Kane allows him to leave, New Zealand’s loose advance stocks remain piled up.
BlackAdder is a weekly, high-risk proposal after enduring another chaotic season of injury, but for now, he’s back on the Crusades. Luke Jacobson leads head-on for the Chiefs. Ardie Savea inspired Moana Pasifika. 2024 All Blacks player Wallace Cititi is set to return from offseason knee surgery for the Chief in the coming weeks.
After a slow start, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu find the form of the blues. Peter Rakai has not yet kicked on due to the hurricane, but he remains a long-term asset and du’plessis kirifi has been a constant force in a breakdown.
But Robertson can’t pick them all.
Scrum half
keep: Cam Rogard, Cortez Latima
garbage: TJ Perenala
addition: Noah Hosam
TJ Perenala’s exit to Japan opens the door that will almost certainly become a waltz by Noah Hotham. After testing once from the bench against San Diego’s Fiji, Hotsam slipped off the pecking order following his return from injury. However, the 21-year-old has been good for the Crusaders in recent weeks, especially around the rack, where his deceptive power and running threats are apparent.
Former All Blacks halfback Finlay Christie and Foraufa Kataba suffer from injuries in the latter, but New Zealand’s next best prospect is rapidly emerging in the form of the Crusaders, via Wellington, rookie Kyle Preston.
Fly half
keep: Damien Mackenzie, Boecourt Barrett, Stephen Perfeta
garbage:
addition:
Bruce playmaker Stephen Perofetta gets nervous – the All Black can add another outer back, rather than carrying the first 5 of the three. However, with Richie Moanga out of the picture until next year, it makes sense to continue developing Perofeta despite being on the Bruce’s bench.
Borden Barrett hit the vintage shape in the past two weeks, maintaining the All Blacks No. 10 jersey by stating his lawsuit, and Damian McKenzie had a set shocker who died in Sydney, but he inevitably recovers as Waratah surprised the chief.
With Harry Plummer moving to France after this season and not being liked by the Blues, Chiefs playmaker Josh Jacombe is in the next line, but Mackenzie is primarily assuming the reins, so he has limited opportunities.
Middle
keep: Geordy Barrett, David Havili, Lieko Ein, Anton Linertbrown,
garbage: Billy Proctor
addition:
How the All Blacks decide on their midfield make-up, reintegrating Geordy Barrett from a six-month stint with Ireland’s Juggernaut Rainster. Bullets are available for selection in July and will be included, but at some point during this Test season you may need rest.
The All Blacks blew away the chance to pass last year’s form centre Billy Proctor during the rugby championship after an impressive Test debut against Fiji. He has been vulnerable to elimination this season with the Aquiles issues.
David Habili is hoping that Crusaders Captain will hold back the early season shape from fellow second five candidates Quinn Tupaea and Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Coming to the Rugby Championship in August, Leicester Feinganuk is expected to be available to the All Blacks after returning from Toulon and committing to the Crusades from next season.
Outside the back
keep: Caleb Clark, Will Jordan, Seven Reese, Reuben Love
garbage: Mark Telea
addition: Chai Fihaki
The news this week that Mark Terrea will be joining former All Blacks coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster at Japanese Club Toyota on a three-year contract starting in November is a physical blow to New Zealand Rugby.
Tele’a is in Prime as an elusive finisher, one of the best games in the world. He continues to maintain his All Blacks qualification for the rest of the year, but Robertson is likely to invest in others as he is trying to solidify three options on his back.
Sevu Reece will benefit from Tele’a’s impending departure. Also, Reese’s Crusades teammate Chai Fihaki is lined up to get promoted from an astounding call-up as a cover for last season’s injury.
Given the versatility among the first five of the All Blacks, it’s comfortable in the full back, and Fihaki and love can compete in one place.