Christopher Luxon attacks Chris Hipkins on policy.
Ian Jones gives his take on the final game against the French over the weekend.
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NZ Herald
9 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Reviewing the performances of Scott Robertson and his men
Four more tries elevated his tally to 42 (from 44 tests) to edge ever closer to claiming the All Blacks' record. With 10 more tests this year few would bet against Jordan reeling in Jeff Willson (44 tires in 60 tests), Beauden Barrett (45 in 136), Julian Savea (46 in 54), Joe Rokocoko (46 in 68) and Christian Cullen 46 in 58, before setting his sights on Doug Howlett (49 in 62). Biggest mover: Fabian Holland Three successive 80-minute shifts is a huge effort for anyone, let alone a test rookie. Holland started on debut at his adopted Dunedin home to realise his dream of becoming the first Netherlands-born All Black. And with Scott Barrett ruled out of tests two and three against France, he retained starting status alongside Patrick Tuipulotu. Some test rookies need time to find their feet, to grasp the increased pace and physicality. Holland, though, never looked overawed. Comparisons to Brodie Retallick are premature – Holland has a long way to match Retallick's physicality with ball in hand – but with 27 lineout wins, 44 of 46 tackles and 112 rucks hit across the three tests, there is no questioning his long-term value to the All Blacks. Holland is 22 and merely getting started. Injuries permitting, he could well forge into a test centurion. His towering presence offsets major second-row depth concerns, too, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Sam Darry, the latter debuting last season before injury struck him down, waiting in the wings behind Barrett, Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i. All Blacks lock Fabian Holland has impressed in three test. Photo / SmartFrame Bench balance and finishing One clear directive from the All Blacks this year, after the four tests they lost in 2024 came after leading at half time, was to improve their finishing. Elements of this area have, indeed, improved. The scrum is one notable weapon thanks to the depth of their front row stocks. In the first test in Dunedin and the third in Hamilton, the All Blacks replacement front row earned crucial, match-turning penalties. With what's to come such depth and confidence in this platform cannot be understated. The balance of the All Blacks bench is not there yet, though. In the first and second tests, with their best side selected, the All Blacks scored 10 points in the final quarter. And while they finished strong in Hamilton, Jordie Barrett injected the most impact, with a try-saving tackle and the definitive line break for Brodie McAlister's late strike. Barrett would usually be starting, though. The tactic of selecting two loose forwards on the bench hasn't paid off – and the lineout malfunctioned to lose three throws when the pressure ramped up in the third test. When the likes of Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi, Scott Barrett, Asafo Aumua and Caleb Clarke return from injury, the All Blacks bench will significantly strengthen by putting the squeeze on the starting side. Playing style The intent to play fast – with quick taps and lineouts – and impose fatigue was widely evident from the All Blacks. This year, everyone is one the same page. Even under scoreboard pressure they did not deviate from the script. Through offloads, pace and attacking intent, the All Blacks are, essentially, playing to their inherent strengths. Wayne Smith's chaos theory, based on movement and keeping the ball alive with multiple attacking threats, appears to have influenced the stylistic shift. To achieve that, the All Blacks must achieve lightning quick ball. Their breakdown was compromised in the first and third tests to shine a light on their carry-and-clean urgency and technique. French No 8 Mickaël Guillard caused problems there and as the Pumas and Springboks loom, the All Blacks must address this area. Their penchant for conceding points from restarts and striking the right kick-pass balance will be other focal points. They will, though, be pleased with the leadership and composure to overcome late disruption and fight through difficult situations to emerge on top. That wasn't always the case last year. Selection Project 4/4/4 – four deep in each position over four years to win a fourth World Cup – is progressing with six more rookies – Ollie Norris, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Brodie McAlister, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Holland, Christian Lio-Willie – introduced. After missing multiple opportunities to expose fringe talent last year Robertson seized his first chance to rotate in the third test by making 10 starting changes. While the raft of adjustments stunted performance, the benefits of blooding prospects should show in time. The drop off from incumbents to the next tier is most telling at hooker and halfback. Aumua's return from his hamstring issue will improve the hooking stocks but Codie Taylor is only truly appreciated in his absence. Cam Roigard is levels above his competition, too. No one in New Zealand compares to Roigard's booming boot and sniping runs. Roigard, having only played 12 tests, is in the infancy of his All Blacks career but he is already among the world's elite halfbacks, such is his growing influence. Elsewhere, selection questions remain at centre, where Billy Proctor needs further investment, blindside flanker with the All Blacks likely to persist with Tupou Vaa'i's switch despite Samipeni Finau's impressive performance in Hamilton and the up-for-grab wings. First five-eighths depth evokes concern, but it is perhaps unfair to judge Damian McKenzie on one performance in a vastly reshaped team. Damian McKenzie makes a break against France. Photo / Photosport Biggest concern Of all the positional question marks, wing is among the most contestable. New Zealand has a long history of producing superb finishers but uncertainty prevails over who will emerge to demand starting status. Two late reshuffles – Caleb Clarke's injury in Wellington and Rieko Ioane's withdrawal in Hamilton – didn't help progress plans but after selecting two specialist wings in July, the All Blacks are arguably no closer to determining their best finishing options. Clarke's ankle injury that may sideline him for another five-to-six weeks was a notable setback as the second test stage was set for him to recapture the form that locked down the No 11 jersey for the first time in his career last year. Clarke could yet tick many boxes for the All Blacks. He's a power wing, in the mould Robertson tends to favour, and the best edge option in the air – one area France exposed the All Blacks. But after a quiet season where he's yet to score a try, Clarke needs game time to cement his claims. Jordan, the All Blacks' first-choice fullback, was their best winger against France. By some distance, too. He scored two tries in Dunedin after shifting to the edge in the first minute – and was then among the All Blacks most prominent figures two weeks later after a late promotion from the bench. Sevu Reece wasn't helped by his first-minute exit in Dunedin after a head knock but he has everything to prove at test level after an underwhelming All Blacks season last year where his pace and erratic tendencies sparked concern. Reece is also 28 – the age when All Blacks wingers traditionally decline. By the 2027 World Cup, it's difficult to envision him being the form finisher the All Blacks need. The jury remains out on Rieko Ioane's back-to-the-future switch from centre to the wing, too, which shouldn't surprise given this test series was the first time in four years he started on the edge at any level. There's a strong argument the All Blacks missed a trick by not selecting form Chiefs wings Emoni Narawa and Leory Carter in their July squad – and instead including six midfielders. Narawa started the second test in Wellington but only after Clarke's late exit to continue a lack of faith in his abilities at test level. Other emerging options include Caleb Tangitau, a revelation for the Highlanders before injury prematurely ended his campaign, and Crusaders wing/fullbacks Chay Fihaki. Leicester Fainga'anuku has returned from France to play for Tasman in the NPC and is a certainty to be called up for the All Blacks northern tour squad. Where Fainga'anuku features remains to be seen but he spent the bulk of his two years with Toulon at centre. Context Would the All Blacks have won this series against France's first-choice team? There's no definitive answer, but it does pose context to take stock of the vastly understrength opposition to start the year. The All Blacks can only play who is in front of them. NZ Rugby had no say in the longstanding agreement between the French Top 14 clubs and Les Bleus that prevents the national team from selecting players involved in their domestic final for the July internationals, which duly undermines the elite arena. The second test blowout aside, where rookies were thrown to the wolves, France's performances belied their second-string nature to speak to the Top 14's depth of talent. France cannot be accused of turning up merely for wines on Waiheke, picnics in Hamilton Gardens or soaking up Dunedin's St Clair beach. Their defensive effort in the final week of their arduous season, where they made 292 tackles, 172 more than the All Blacks, underscores their tenacity for the fight. Scott Robertson's men will faces tougher challenges against Argentina and South Africa. Photo / Photosport Assessing the All Blacks against the backdrop of France leaving their best talent at home, though, is a somewhat fraught exercise. In some ways it's the ideal start that allowed traditional rust to be shaken off and Robertson the selection freedom to use his full squad while banking wins. Now the real business arrives in the form of the Rugby Championship, starting with two away tests in Argentina before the world champion Springboks arrive for a tilt at breaking Eden Park's 50 match unbeaten run and a return clash in Wellington the following week. Those four tests between August 17 and September 13 will reveal exactly where the All Blacks sit. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- NZ Herald
New Zealand rugby legend Chris Masoe returns to Whanganui for The Classics match
Masoe made 12 appearances for the Whanganui National Provincial Championship Division Two side from 1999-2000, scoring four tries before making the first big move of his career to Taranaki the following year. Now, at 46, he returns to Cooks Gardens as The Classics take on the Steelform Whanganui Heartland Championship side at 2.35pm on Saturday, July 26. 'I'm looking forward to getting back to the stomping ground, that's where it all started for me,' Masoe said. The hard-hitting loose forward played 20 tests for the All Blacks from 2005-2007, playing for the Chiefs, Hurricanes, Taranaki and Wellington in New Zealand before playing for several French clubs. Masoe (left) played 108 times for French rugby club Castres Olympique from 2008-2012. Photo / AFP Masoe said if it were not for his experiences as a young man in Whanganui, playing for Whanganui City College, Kaierau, Marist and the Whanganui side, he would not have excelled in the way he did for nearly 20 years. 'If I wasn't there, I wouldn't get to Taranaki and where I am now. It's good to visit back and hopefully see some mates I went to school with.' Masoe said he had a difficult time when he first moved to Whanganui and got involved with some bad groups of people. 'It was tough but, if I didn't do that, I won't be who I am now,' Masoe said. 'We had some good and some bad times. It wasn't smooth, sometimes it was tough with missing my family in Samoa, so I had some people help me along the way.' One of them was former City College coach Peter Aki. Masoe said Aki was good to him, steering him on to the right path, offering advice. Masoe is set to start at blindside flanker against Whanganui and will captain The Classics. The game will be his eighth appearance for the side, which is the most appearances of the team members named to play. 'That's probably the reason Chris Haden [son of Andy Haden] made me captain - because I am the oldest player in The Classics now,' he said. 'Sometimes people say age is just a number but when you play contact sport for 20 years, sometimes the number gets you,' Masoe said. Alongside Masoe in The Classics will be Mana Ashford who also grew up in Whanganui. 'He's going to be on my side which is good because if anyone sidesteps me, I just let them go because I am way over 40 now,' Masoe said. The Classics was a great concept which connected players with those they shared the field with and 'went to war with', he said. 'At the end of the day, that's what rugby is all about. You go to war and then after, you have a couple of beers with your mates. 'The great thing about this is that it doesn't matter how old you are, as soon as the rugby ball gets thrown around we all come together.' Tickets are available at and the match will be broadcast live on TVNZ1.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
So far, so good for Razor's men
Will Jordan looks for support during the first test between the All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on July 5. Photo: Peter McIntosh Glass half full 1 The All Blacks swept the series. Everyone expected that, of course, as France sent a team on tour minus so many leading players. But you can only beat who is put in front of you, and the All Blacks got the job done. Had they lost one of the tests, well, that would have led to an extremely interesting series postmortem. 2 There were glimpses of . . . something. While the first and third tests were relatively underwhelming, the performance in the second was pretty impressive in patches. Razor's recruits clearly have a way to go, but there are signs this team possesses a bit more spark than last year. 3 Goal kicking was excellent, highlighted by Beauden Barrett's perfect night off the tee in Wellington. Defence and lineout drives (yawn) win World Cups, but goal kicking is not far behind. 4 New blood. Six new All Blacks have joined the club, and all contributed in some way. More on that below. Glass half empty 1 Injuries. By my count, no fewer than 10 of the original squad for the series missed some or all of the action with various knocks. Codie Taylor runs at the French defence during the first test. Photo: Peter McIntosh Aerial skills lacking. The French regularly peppered the All Blacks with high up-and-unders, and the All Blacks did not always deal with them well. Big improvements needed. 3 Glimpses, yes, but there were no real earth-shattering developments around how the All Blacks played. The season is about to get a lot harder, and can we really say they are that much advanced from this point last season? 4 Wing crisis. Will Jordan is a world-class winger but now clearly established as Scott Robertson's favourite fullback. Nobody really knows who out of Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa and no-longer-a-midfielder Rieko Ioane should be starting on the left and right. Perhaps Leicester Fainga'anuku — back from France — trumps them all. Players who shone 1 Will Jordan just does what he does. Now has 42 tries in 44 tests. Ridiculous. 2 Ardie Savea, well, just does what he does. A relentless force at No 8 or No 7, and stand-in captain to boot. 3 Fabian Holland. More on him below. 4 Beauden Barrett. Played particularly well in the Wellington test. Assured starter at first five for the immediate future — perhaps until Robertson gets his beloved Richie Mo'unga back. Fabian Holland gives the thumbs up at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo: Peter McIntosh Jury is out The whole front row. Ethan de Groot had a very good series, Codie Taylor continues to set a high standard, and the other big boppers all did well. 1 Rieko Ioane — appears his centre days are done, but is he still good enough as a starting winger? 2 Damian McKenzie — still has that spark, but is his future exclusively as an impact player? 3 Samipeni Finau — give him a few more tests to keep progressing or stick with Tupou Vaa'i? Rookie watch A+ Fabian Holland took to test rugby like a Dutch to water, as we suspected he would. Played every minute. Not sure how he misses out on a place in the strongest All Blacks XV now. B Du'Plessis Kirifi is just a ball of energy. Clearly now the leading back-up to Savea on the side of the scrum. Tupou Vaa'i seeks to offload during the first test. Photo: Peter McIntosh Christian Lio-Willie came from nowhere to start the first two tests and did a solid job. Will battle for time when Wallace Sititi becomes available. C Timoci Tavatavanawai got 28min in the second test and just 11min in the third. Offers something completely different and we need to see more of him. C- Ollie Norris had a couple of solid shifts off the bench in the first two tests. D Brodie McAlister was running at an F after his lineout throwing fell apart on debut. Then he scored a cracking try. Unlikely to play again much this year, you would think. The questions 1 If that was France B, how good would France A have been? Would the All Blacks have swept them? 2 Is World Rugby actually going to do anything about the farcical situation of a major nation devaluing a test series by leaving their best players behind? 3 When Scott Barrett returns, um, is there actually a place for him in the starting XV? 4 If so, is Jordan, Reece, Lienert-Brown, J Barrett, Fainga'anuku, B Barrett, Roigard, Sititi, Savea, Vaa'i, Holland, S Barrett, Lomax, Taylor and Williams that XV? With Taukei'aho, de Groot, Newell, Finau, Kirifi, Hotham, Tavatavanawai and McKenzie on the bench? Christian Lio-Willie (left) and Du'Plessis Kirifi pose for a post-match photo after the first test. ABs v France The facts How much better do the All Blacks need to get to beat Argentina away (twice) and South Africa at home (twice)? • Played 3, won 3. • First test: All Blacks 31, France 27 (Dunedin). • Second test: All Blacks 43, France 17 (Wellington). • Third test: All Blacks 29, France 19 (Hamilton). • All Blacks fullback/winger Will Jordan scored four tries in the series. Tupou Vaa'i scored two, and eight other All Blacks scored one.
