All Blacks predicted team v France: Scott Robertson’s ‘major selection headache’ identified with ‘tough’ fly-half call made as uncapped star set for debut
From left to right: Scott Robertson, Wallace Sititi and Damian McKenzie
The All Blacks come into the 2025 Test season with fresh hope, following a rather bumpy maiden year under new boss Scott Robertson.
Things began well, results-wise, as they beat England in a two-Test series, but the performances were not what we have come to expect from an All Blacks side on home turf. Steve Borthwick’s team pushed them all the way in both Tests, and if not for some late heroics from Damian McKenzie off the boot, it could have been a 2-0 series defeat.
Results are what matter, though, particularly to the All Blacks, and that’s exactly what they got; and that created some real excitement heading into the Rugby Championship.
But, again, they couldn’t quite get it together performance-wise. They fell to a shock 38-30 defeat to Los Pumas in the opening round of the Championship, which immediately put them on the back-foot in the title race. Razor’s men did inflict some revenge in the reverse fixture, beating them 42-10, but then they headed to South Africa.
Performances took a turn for the better against the defending world champions, but this time, results didn’t follow as they fell to back-to-back defeats against Rassie Erasmus’ side.
They ended their campaign against a spirited Wallabies and came away with two wins.
In November, the All Blacks ventured north. England were first up, and just as it was in July the All Blacks struck late to secure victory at Twickenham. A visit to Dublin was next on the list, and again, while this wasn’t their best performance, they got the job done against Andy Farrell’s side with a 23-13 win.
Their first defeat of the end-of-year Tests came against France, losing 30-29, before ending the tour with a 29-11 win over Italy.
Razor’s first year with the All Blacks is now in the rear-view mirror, but there seems to be a core group forming within his squad.
For the upcoming series against Les Bleus, the former Crusaders boss has named just five uncapped players within his 33-man squad, while Scott Barrett retains the captain’s armband.
This familiar feel should bode well for the upcoming Test series, but just how could they line up? Well, here is our take on a possible All Blacks starting XV for the France series.
15 Will Jordan
Proved throughout this Super Rugby season that he is the best full-back in the competition, and should get another crack in that jersey for the All Blacks. His ability to slice through defences with ease is always going to be an asset to this side’s attack, but using him at 15 means he will consistently be popping up in different holes on the field and can make even more of a difference. Razor has long been a fan of him in the backfield, too.
14 Sevu Reece
Fellow Crusaders back Sevu Reece will likely get the nod out wide come the Test series against France. Like Jordan, he comes into the Test season in really good touch following a strong Super Rugby campaign, where he scored eight tries on the way to the title, and should add some real power and pace to this side’s attack.
13 Rieko Ioane
2024 wasn’t the year he’d hoped for at Test level, but Rieko Ioane will more than likely be handed another shot to impress Razor against France. The Blues ace is such an X-factor talent, with his speed and eye for a gap making him a genuine threat in that 13 channel, but you feel the All Blacks attack didn’t utilise him in the best way for him to make his mark. 2025 presents a new opportunity for him though in this team, and you’d back him to grasp it.
12 Jordie Barrett
While he might not have played in Super Rugby this year, vice-captain Jordie Barrett should still slot in at 12. His exploits at Leinster were nothing short of spectacular, taking a starring role in both the Champions Cup and URC during his time with the Dubliners. J. Barrett is also a proper luxury player, given he can act as an extra playmaker or even a smash-and-bash option if needed, and that should see him have a big impact on this team.
11 Caleb Clarke
Another one who comes into the 2025 Test season with a point to prove is Caleb Clarke. With Mark Tele’a heading to Japan, the number 11 shirt is vacant, and that should give Clarke a shot at making it own once again. The Blues ace has all the attributes to make him an excellent Test winger, but hasn’t quite hit the heights expected as of yet, so this year could be the chance for him to properly explode and become a focal point.
10 Damian McKenzie
Fly-half is Razor’s main selection headache, but based on recent form, you’d think Damian McKenzie just, and we mean just, edges in ahead of Beauden Barrett. The Chiefs playmaker has been in wonderful form on his side’s road to the Super Rugby Grand Final, be it from the tee or in general play, but crucially, he seems even more assured in the fly-half spot than he was last campaign. He just seems to be waiting for the right moment to inject himself into games, rather than forcing himself into situations, and that’s brought the best out of him. It’s an incredibly tough call between them, though.
9 Cam Roigard
Number nine, in contrast, seems a fairly open and shut case with Cam Roigard the likely starter in this side. He returned to the Test stage with a bang last year after his injury hell, and has only carried on from where he left off this year in Super Rugby. The combination of him and McKenzie also promises to be absolutely box-office.
8 Wallace Sititi
The emergence of Chiefs back-rower Wallace Sititi has been nothing short of remarkable, and he will likely have a major role in this All Blacks side in 2025. He just brings so much physicality and brute strength to the side, but yet combines that with an eye for space and ability to make a linebreak as well, which makes him the overall package at number eight. As was proved last year, this combination of him at eight and (spoiler alert) Ardie Savea at seven brings so much balance to the back-row too.
7 Ardie Savea
Do we even need to explain why Savea gets into this team? The iconic back-rower played like a man possessed during his maiden season with Moana Pasifika, winning Super Rugby Player of the Year in the process, and that form should see him again be a key man for Razor. He is also a proper leader within this side, which again will be crucial.
6 Samipeni Finau
With Ethan Blackadder omitted, Samipeni Finau should get the nod at six. The Chiefs forward played a big part in his side’s run to the Super Rugby Grand Final this season, and this year feels like a really good chance for him to nail down a spot in the All Blacks side for the long-term. He will need some strong performances, though.
5 Scott Barrett (c)
While the 2025 Super Rugby season might not have panned out the way he would have wanted, Scott Barrett has yet again been entrusted with the captain’s armband. The towering Crusaders lock has always stood up and performed in the black jersey though, and with him again leading the team into battle that should bring the best out of him once again. He is also a premier lineout option, which is always a good thing to have in the back pocket.
4 Tupou Vaa’i
A tough call between him and Patrick Tuipulotu, given his performances in the 2024 Test season, but Tupou Vaa’i is also bang in form right now. The Chiefs lock was a one-man wrecking ball in the Super Rugby Grand Final, and was unlucky to end up on the losing side considering his performance, but around that, he has been in stellar touch all season. It’s also another chance for him to nail down a spot long-term.
3 Tyrel Lomax
The All Blacks scrum was a real strong point last season, and Tyrel Lomax was at the heart of that. The powerful tighthead was quietly one of the best scrummagers in the Test game last year, and carried that on for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby too, and that is exactly what Razor will need again, given the might of this French pack.
2 Codie Taylor
Since taking over from Dane Coles as the defacto starting hooker, Codie Taylor has made the jersey his own. His work in both the set-piece and around the park make him such a valuable asset in this side, and he also adds another experienced head to the side as well.
1 Tamaiti Williams
Again, Tamaiti Williams is in exceptional scrummaging touch and should keep his spot in the team. While he might have been playing a bit of tighthead in recent weeks, he is a premier loosehead and when he returns to this spot should prove exactly that. Like Lomax, he is quietly one of the best scrummagers in the world and should stand up to the test of the French pack.
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Timoci Tavatavanawai
The bench is a pretty interesting call for Razor this year. Uncapped star Timoci Tavatavanawai will likely feature among the substitutes, and you’d back him to impress in this role as well, given his form in Super Rugby. Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell will be keen to impress as well, with an eye on cracking the starting side, as will Patrick Tuipulotu. Luke Jacobson should also get a spot on the bench, but will need to impress, given Du’Plessis Kirifi is also in the wider squad.
Cortez Ratima also found a nice role for himself from the bench last year, and while Barrett might want to be starting, he also excelled off the bench against England last year.
READ MORE: All Blacks: Scott Robertson names five uncapped players in squad for series against France
