Scott Robertson flabbergasted by England’s ‘catchy’ Pom Squad ‘innovation’ as All Blacks boss makes admission over Wallace Sititi call
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Henry Arundell celebrating try against Fiji with fellow replacement Henry Pollock.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson was rather taken aback after learning that England’s bench had been dubbed the ‘Pom Squad’.
After the Springboks coined the ‘Bomb Squad’ – which saw them stack their bench with forwards – during their run to the 2019 Rugby World Cup title, other teams have looked to copy that tactic.
Steve Borthwick’s side are one of them with the Red Rose regularly adopting a 6-2 split over the past year or so.
However, they have taken it to another level over the course of this November series as against the Wallabies they stacked their bench with British and Irish Lions stars.
England’s Lions-heavy bench
Borthwick has followed suit against the All Blacks with 2025 Lions tourists Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock and Marcus Smith all waiting to come on in this Saturday match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
After being asked about the ‘Pom Squad’, Robertson did a double take before joking: “That’s catchy, have they gone for that? Wow, that’s innovation isn’t it!
Turning to a reporter, he then quipped: “Did you come up with it mate?” before adding on a more serious note, “The Pom Squad, as you know the finishing of Test matches is critical and whoever you bring on need to make an impact.
“I just know how quickly things can swing around. They’re all good, they’re tough and quality players that can make a difference, especially at the back end of the game. They will make an impact no matter what.”
Despite being surprised by the England bench’s nickname, Robertson admitted that it formed the basis of his team selection with Wallace Sititi amongst the New Zealand replacements to counteract the hosts’ impact.
Simon Parker therefore starts at blindside flanker after missing their 25-17 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.
“He [Parker] is a big body, he’s physical and Wallace will come on. He [Sititi] has obviously got a great game, especially when it opens up a little bit or we still have to make our tackles or turn the ball over. Whatever style of game it is, he can add to it,” the coach explained.
“We just felt we wanted to have that combination [against Scotland] and give the guys a chance after moving Wallace to six, and have the combination with him and Peter [Lakai].
“We know what Ardie [Savea] can do, he’s pretty special, but it was just the combination of those two. He [Parker] comes in fresh and keen.”
Loss of Caleb Clarke and All Blacks aerial issues
Sititi will be joined among the replacements by Anton Lienert-Brown, who is a new addition to the 23 following Caleb Clarke’s injury.
“He can cover all positions in the backline – 12, 13 and can cover wing as well – he’s experienced and has trained really well,” Robertson said.
Clarke’s absence could increase the All Blacks’ aerial struggles against an England side who are stacked with options, but Robertson insists that it is not the hosts’ only threat.
“They’ve got a great aerial game. [Alex] Mitchell’s a quality kicker and they put it on the spot, so it’s a big part of the game for them, and they also play a bit too,” he added.
“They can take the ball in hand and if George [Ford] gets it out of his hands quickly the game’s on, so that’s exciting isn’t it when you play a team like that.”
