Māori All Blacks v Scotland: How to get the most out of game day
People will swarm from far and wide to Semenoff Stadium to watch the historic clash, which has been 25 years in the making.
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RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
All Blacks team named to play France in Dunedin
The first Dutch All Black, four debutants, a backline shuffle and a lock at loose forward are the talking points of the All Blacks team named to play France in this weekend's first test in Dunedin. Fabian Holland will become the first All Black from the Netherlands and joins captain Scott Barrett in the second row. RNZ rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
‘Test footy's a big man's game' - Scott Robertson explains All Black selections
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 July Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Scott Robertson has named his first team of the year , making no secret of the fact that he wants size in his forward pack. While the selections in the backs are probably going to generate a lot of talk, Tupou Vaa'i's shift to blindside to accommodate the debuting Fabian Holland is the most significant overall. "He's got the skill set," said Robertson of Vaa'i's first start in the number six jersey since the 2023 World Cup. There was concern that the All Black loose forwards would be on the smaller side, but Vaa'i's surprise inclusion has answered that potential issue. "He's quick enough - as he keeps telling us - and he can play on the edge. It just complements us, test footy's a big man's game. He can start there and finish there, this week he's starting." While it's no surprise that Holland has eventually been selected for the All Blacks, it is somewhat that he is being thrust straight into a starting spot. However, Robertson said the Dutch-born Highlander has earned his spot. "From Zeeland to New Zealand, he's come a long way. It's a great story, pretty single-minded from a 14 year old to make that call, to come over and represent another country in a game he loves. He saw the All Blacks is the ultimate and there's opportunities down here in under the roof. It's movie sort of stuff isn't it." Holland has leapfrogged Patrick Tuipulotu, with the Blues captain missing selection altogether. Fabian Holland of the Highlanders. Photo: Steve McArthur Robertson put Christain Lio-Willie's body of work over the last two seasons down as the key reason for his inclusion in the side. The Crusaders number eight was only called in as injury cover last week, now finds himself starting in a test match. "(He's been) really special in the last few weeks. He came on the end of the year tour with us (last season), which is really important for him to understand how the week works. He slotted straight in." Ardie Savea starts at openside, a move that many have been calling for over the last few seasons. "He can play both seven and eight and can play both extremely well. He's had a great year, majority at seven. So the balance and mix of this week is that he can finish at eight if he needs to." That versatility has also seen Rieko Ioane push out the wing, his first start there in any level since 2021. Rieko Ioane runs in to score in the Wallabies v New Zealand All Blacks Bledisloe Cup test match, Accor Stadium, Sydney. Photo: David Neilson / Photosport "This is his opportunity to get on the wing and do some finishing for us, he was keen and up for whatever's best for the team," said Robertson. Meanwhile, Beauden Barrett has won the race for the starting first five spot, although Robertson admitted it was a close call between the 134-test veteran and Damian McKenzie. "They've both had good seasons. We just felt it's Beauden's opportunity. The good thing is that it's one of those ones you put out both genuine options, Beaudy's led the group really, really and DMac can come on and change games." The rhetoric does make it feel like the All Blacks this season will be focused on a much more flexible, squad-based approach rather than simply rolling out their best fifteen starting players. In fairness, this series against a now very depleted French side is the best environment to put that theory to the test. French coach Fabien Galthié names his side at 9pm tonight. All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8, Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan Bench: Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
1News
10 hours ago
- 1News
Surprises in Robertson's All Blacks team to face France in first Test
Scott Robertson's first match-day squad of the year has come with several surprises, the biggest of which is lock Tupou Vaa'i starting at blindside flanker and Fabian Holland making his debut at lock. Christian Lio-Willie, initially included in the squad as injury cover after helping the Crusaders to the Super Rugby Pacific title, will start at No.8 in his Test debut. Injuries and recent heavy workloads have clearly played a part in Robertson's thinking for the Test against France in Dunedin on Saturday night, with tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax unavailable and no sign of Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu. Vaa'i has played flanker in a Test before – during the 2023 World Cup – but Robertson's decision to go with him there rather than Samipeni Finau, who is on the bench, is an intriguing one. Elsewhere, Rieko Ioane is on the left wing with Billy Proctor to start at centre, and Sevu Reece on the right. ADVERTISEMENT As predicted, Beauden Barrett will start at first-five, with Damian McKenzie on the bench. Cam Roigard gets the nod as starting halfback over Cortez Ratima, with Jordie Barrett straight back at second-five after his sabbatical in Ireland. Fabian Holland (Source: Photosport) Two others, Ollie Norris and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi are in line to make their Test debuts off the bench. Robertson said the uncapped players have worked hard to get to this point and are ready to step into the test arena. "This is a huge moment for these men and their families, we are all thrilled for them. For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian's Highlanders supporters and Christian's Otago fans will be out in full force. 'Ollie and Du'Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready.' Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell make up the starting front row, with recalled All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and 7-test prop Pasilio Tosi in the reserves. ADVERTISEMENT Vice-captain Ardie Savea will wear the No.7 jersey. 'Facing France is always special - they bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we have had a fantastic ten days together, preparing for the three-test series ahead of us. "We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd," Robertson said. * More to come All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant) ADVERTISEMENT 1. Ethan de Groot (29) 2. Codie Taylor (96) 3. Fletcher Newell (22) 4. Scott Barrett (80) (Captain) 5. Fabian Holland * 6. Tupou Vaa'i (38) 7. Ardie Savea (94) (Vice-Captain) ADVERTISEMENT 8. Christian Lio-Willie * 9. Cam Roigard (10) 10. Beauden Barrett (134) 11. Rieko Ioane (81) 12. Jordie Barrett (68) (Vice-Captain) 13. Billy Proctor (2) 14. Sevu Reece (32) ADVERTISEMENT 15. Will Jordan (41) Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho (30) 17. Ollie Norris * 18. Pasilio Tosi (7) 19. Samipeni Finau (8) 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi * ADVERTISEMENT 21. Cortez Ratima (11) 22. Quinn Tupaea (14) 23. Damian McKenzie (61) Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone)
