All Blacks: Predicted team v France as Scott Robertson has ‘tough’ decision at fly-half and a ‘big back-row selection quandary’
All Blacks back-row duo Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, and playmaker Damian McKenzie.
Scott Robertson has a number of difficult decisions to make when he selects his All Blacks team to take on France in Paris on Saturday.
Changes are guaranteed with the news that Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a are out, while Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett are in contention to play as they continue to go through their return-to-play protocols following head injuries sustained against England.
Robertson is set to name his team on Thursday, so ahead of the clash we take a stab at predicting what the All Blacks matchday 23 will look like to tackle France.
15 Will Jordan
Earlier in the year, Robertson might have considered bringing Beauden Barrett back but Jordan has very much cemented his place at full-back. The 26-year-old has proven onlookers right, who suggested that the Crusaders star should be New Zealand’s 15 long-term. The flyer was excellent against both England and Ireland as he added two more tries to his collection, while he was also very good under the high ball.
14 Sevu Reece
Tele’a’s absence should mean a very simple decision and that is the return of Reece, who will take his place on the right wing. While there might be a temptation to start Beauden Barrett and shift Jordan to wing, Robertson will be reluctant to change something which has worked very well for the All Blacks. Although Tele’a is slightly stronger in the air and is better at close quarters, Reece will also bring an excellent work ethic.
13 Rieko Ioane
The speedster is not exactly pulling up trees right now, with the All Blacks attack struggling to well and truly fire, but he has played a big role in their defensive solidity. It is perhaps a question to be revisited next year but, for now, Ioane’s position is surely safe, particularly with Billy Proctor returning home for the birth of his child.
12 Jordie Barrett
When Anton Lienert-Brown did start – in the final round of the Rugby Championship – there was more of an edge to the New Zealand backline, but Jordie Barrett has not done anything wrong over the past two games. Especially defensively, he has put his body on the line to make it incredibly difficult for the English and Irish attacks.
11 Caleb Clarke
Has continued his good form from the Rugby Championship, albeit he’s not truly found the space to show his athletic qualities. However, it has been a coming of age year for Clarke, who now looks like he belongs at Test level. The 25-year-old has added the nuts and bolts onto his game to go with the obvious quality he has with ball in hand, and it has made all the difference.
10 Damian McKenzie
A very tough choice between him and Beauden Barrett. Before he was ruled out of the Ireland encounter, there was no doubt that the experienced playmaker was first in line, but McKenzie’s performance in Dublin has very much changed that. Having given the 29-year-old numerous chances at the start of the season, you get the feeling that Robertson would prefer him as his number one fly-half and he may well remain in that slot in Paris. It could be damaging for his self-confidence should Barrett come back in after recovering from a head injury.
9 Cam Roigard
Cortez Ratima had an excellent Rugby Championship but he has struggled in Europe, producing poor displays against England and Ireland. Ratima was particularly error-strewn in Dublin and was constantly caught at the base. He has just been a bit too slow around the ruck, whereas Roigard has injected pace and looked far more comfortable when on the field. On current form, there is no question that the Hurricanes scrum-half starts.
8 Wallace Sititi
The big selection quandary for Robertson will be the make-up of the back-row following the injury to Cane. With the former captain absent, there is a lack of experienced options, particularly at seven. Luke Jacobson is definitely out while it is understood that Ethan Blackadder and Dalton Papali’i are still nursing injuries. That means Sititi could well be moved to his preferred position at number eight.
7 Ardie Savea
It would be a popular decision with both fans and pundits calling for the World Rugby Player of the Year to be moved to openside. If it is going to happen then it will be in Paris as Savea is their most experienced out-and-out seven left in the squad. Peter Lakai and Du’Plessis Kirifi are the other options, and it has been hinted that the former will be involved in some capacity, but it would be a big call to throw them into the starting XV this weekend. Sititi at blindside and Savea at eight has provided a nice balance, which could sow doubt in the head coach’s mind, but this change surely has to happen, doesn’t it?
6 Samipeni Finau
Sititi and Savea are always going to play but the next spot is up for grabs. If Robertson does switch their roles around then Finau is the favourite for the number six shirt. The All Blacks boss could well shift captain Scott Barrett from lock, but the Chiefs powerhouse is in line to take the shirt.
5 Tupou Vaa’i
We thought Robertson would start Patrick Tuipulotu last weekend, but the head coach evidently likes the impact the gargantuan lock provides from the bench. Vaa’i should therefore continue in the XV having formed a good partnership with the skipper in the second-row.
4 Scott Barrett
The captain is guaranteed to start but, as mentioned, it’s whether it comes at lock or in the back-row. However, shifting Scott Barrett to blindside may unbalance the back five of the scrum and it would be a risky call from the usually conservative Robertson. It therefore makes sense for him to retain his place in the second-row.
3 Tyrel Lomax
Quite simply one of the world’s best tightheads and, in a game as big as this, there is virtually no reason to drop him, unless he has an Ethan de Groot-style week and doesn’t meet “internal standards”. Lomax has been very solid so far up north and laid a very good platform in the set-piece against England and Ireland.
2 Codie Taylor
Perhaps tough on Asafo Aumua, who was exceptional against Ireland, but his time will come. At the moment, Taylor remains the All Blacks’ best set-piece hooker, while also remaining a presence in the loose, as shown by his Rugby Championship performances. For us, it’s a simple decision and it should be for Robertson, too.
1 Tamaiti Williams
There is a possibility that De Groot comes back in but, with Williams rectifying the issues from the England clash, we would be surprised. The Crusaders powerhouse scrummaged very well against Ireland and, with what he also offers in the loose, the 24-year-old deserves to retain his position in the XV.
Replacements
Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown
De Groot is not really an impact front-row so, if Williams starts, then Ofa Tu’ungafasi should be the reserve loosehead once again. He, alongside Pasilio Tosi, have made a fine impression on their tour so far and will look to do so again this weekend. Elsewhere, Lakai should get an opportunity following all the injuries in the All Blacks back-row and covers seven and eight. Behind the scrum, there is a temptation to bring back TJ Perenara as he is perhaps more suited to closing out the game, but Robertson is putting his faith in the younger scrum-halves on this tour.
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