Scott Robertson makes big France prediction after Fabien Galthie’s controversial policy risked undermining All Blacks series
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and France boss Fabien Galthie.
Scott Robertson insists that everyone should be excited for the upcoming series with France as he reckons that the tourists will still bring their best players.
Ordinarily, a three-Test tour between the All Blacks and Les Bleus would be mouthwatering, but there has been talk of the French sending a weakened squad.
In fact, judging by Fabien Galthie’s comments and the policy they have in place, that appears likely.
France tend to use the July matches as an opportunity to rest their top talent and build depth, as they did in Argentina last year.
France’s policy
They have a ‘premium player’ policy that includes 20 individuals who Galthie stated in 2024 would miss the trip to New Zealand.
It is also expected that those featuring in the Top 14 final, which takes place on June 28 – a week before the first Test in Dunedin – will not be involved.
That move has been criticised by those outside of France, who feel that he is depriving the sport of a fantastic spectacle, but Robertson predicted that many of the French players will be involved.
“You look at the trends, you look at how the opposition plays, you look at the French because that’s who we’re playing next,” he told the Rugby Direct podcast.
“You see the opportunities but also their threats. They’re going to bring a hell of a team out.
“Fabien Galthie has been there seven years, he knows his way round the rugby world, he’s built a really big squad; 41 players that can all play Test football – there’s enough experience and enough cohesion.
“People say, ‘what sort of team are they going to bring out?’ They’re going to bring out a good team.
“The final of the Top 14 finishes a week later because of the Olympics, that’s just the way their season has gone, but they’ll bring them.”
✍️ Fabien Galthie reveals plans for 20 ‘premium’ France players who will miss All Blacks tour
Robertson confidence over France stars
Antoine Dupont obviously won’t be touring after suffering an ACL rupture in the Six Nations victory over Ireland, but Robertson anticipates that many of his fellow France stars will.
“We expect them to bring out [Romain] Ntamack, [Damian] Penaud and whoever is in that final. You have to have that mindset,” the All Blacks head coach said.
”We’ve learnt last year you can never assume anything in Test footy.
“You’re one card, a couple of penalties away, from being in your corner. Games change really quickly. The quality and depth in the French squad from the 20s who have come through.
“What he’s [Galthie] done in the last couple of summer tours, he’s taken a group of players that haven’t been in their finals but they’re playing now. All those guys are coming through and all of them can step up.
“You look at when Dupont went off and [Maxime] Lucu came on – wow! The depth and quality is there. It’s going to be a hell of a Test series – the last time we’ll get three games in one country. It’s a true series in that regard.
“We’re expecting the best of them.”
