All Blacks squad selection: Winners and losers

RNZ News

4 hours ago

Analysis -
Scott Robertson has
named 33 players today
but a lot of the talk in the aftermath has been about the ones that he didn't. Here's a first up analysis of the squad, who missed out and what it all means.
You have to feel for Ethan Blackadder. He's certainly done nothing wrong other than get injured unfortunately far too often, but even then he put in a gigantic shift in the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs for the Crusaders. His loss is very much Samipeni Finau's gain, with the Chiefs blindside retaining his spot and the confidence of the coaching staff that is fair to say isn't widely shared in the public.
Dalton Papali'i is another player who really hasn't been given a comfortable ride, but that's more to do with selection. Ironically Sam Cane leaving has probably shut the door a bit on Papali'I, as now Ardie Savea is free to move back into openside and give Robertson options around who he wants to be backing up that group.
That's where Finau's size is a crucial factor in his selection, with the All Blacks clearly on the lookout for as big a body as possible. Things will get interesting when Simon Parker is fit and available for selection.
The one group in the All Blacks that was probably the easiest to pick still threw up a talking point. Brodie McAlister certainly deserves a spot in the All Blacks after a move to the Chiefs paid off, but really then what was the point of investing time and effort last year into George Bell?
Ollie Norris' call up is far more straightforward, it really feels like this was a coin flip between him and Josh Fusitu'a in the propping rotation. Like McAlister, this is just reward for Norris after a really strong season.
No surprise at all though that Fabian Holland has made it, though. Even if he hadn't been o n the radar for the last two seasons, Sam Darry's injury meant that the All Blacks needed another big man regardless.
Du'Plessis Kirifi (L) of the Hurricanes celebrates a try.
Photo:
Photosport
You'd have to think 99 times out of 100, a player in Du'Plessis Kirifi's position would've cashed up and left years ago. After being part of the wider squad in 2020, Kirifi fell off the radar pretty fast and now holds the unique honour of being the most capped NPC player in the squad. He now slots into a very interesting loose forwards picture, where his defensive workrate will be seen as a serious addition.
Billy Proctor.
Photo:
Patrick Hoelscher/ActionPress
This will be the most contestable area on the field. Billy Proctor simply has to be given more game time this year, will it be in the 13 jersey when the team takes the field in Dunedin? Inside word is that Jordie Barrett is ready to go straight away after his stint in Ireland, which means he will likely start. Timoci Tavatavanawai can play on the wing too, which is where he may well feature first off the bench, however
Sevu Reece of New Zealand evades a tackle from Len Ikitau of Australia.
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
This is where the bolters were expected but there was no room for Leroy Carter, despite the former All Blacks Sevens player showing the sort of pace that would usually yield a call up. Sevu Reece and Caleb Clarke will continue, although the microscope will be on Reece after his somewhat sluggish end to 2024.
The attrition rate will be high. These will certainly not be the only 33 players to pull on an All Black jersey this year, that is for sure.
Hookers:
Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Brodie McAlister*
Props:
Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris*, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
Locks:
Scott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'I, Fabian Holland*
Loose forwards:
Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea (vc), Du'Plessis Kirifi*, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks:
Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah Hotham
First-five eighths:
Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett (vc), Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai*
Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love
*uncapped
The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the France series: Christian Lio-Willie for Luke Jacobson, Emoni Narawa for Anton Lienert-Brown
Unavailable due to injury:
Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta