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.
Team list
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: 16.Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
