Scott Robertson predicts All Blacks snub will ‘get a look in’ down the line after ‘tough’ decision
Scott Robertson has emphasised the need for the All Blacks to build depth in 2025.
Scott Robertson has emphasised the need for the All Blacks to build depth ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2027, which has resulted in Ethan Blackadder’s snub.
The Crusaders back-rower was a standout performer for New Zealand during Robertson’s first year in charge but has been omitted from the opening squad of the year.
Blackadder is notoriously injury-prone and missed the start of the Crusaders’ season before starring for the side en route to yet another Super Rugby Pacific title.
Ethan Blackadder’s omission explained
His end-of-season form was not enough to persuade the All Blacks coaching team to select him, with uncapped Hurricanes star Du’Plessis Kirifi preferred.
Kirifi is joined in the squad by Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson while Blackadder’s clubmate Christian Lio-Willie provides cover for the latter.
“Yes and no,” Robertson told Sport Nation NZ when asked if Blackadder was hard done by.
“It’s a difficult one. He’s full of effort, isn’t he? He has got so much energy and just keeps going. Leaving someone like him out and a couple of other players is always tough, but those are the decisions you go with.
“Look, the door is always open for everyone, like last season we had a lot of guys in the squad and with injuries, anything can happen.
“So I’m sure that Ethan will get a look in at some stage.”
Robertson pointed to the back-rower’s injury-stricken season as part of the reasoning for his omission but added that there were other factors.
“The big thing for him is he is just starting to play footie consistently, he had the majority of the start of the year off,” the coach continued.
“He is very physical and has great stats but it’s the impact of them so converting those stats to post-carry metres, dominant tackles and being clean in discipline. So a couple of areas for him but I actually haven’t spoken to him about it yet.”
Building depth
While Blackadder has been omitted for now, the All Blacks boss is certain that the squad will change in the coming days, weeks and months with injuries bound to take their toll.
He added that the performances of players in the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs didn’t sway their coaches’ selections but reaffirmed their calls.
“There’s a few boys and a few banged-up bodies. I can imagine there will be a few more changes in the next few days as well,” he said.
“You wait until you get through and that last game [Super Rugby Final] just confirms what you’ve seen all year, people stepping up to the occasion.”
While the squad is largely similar to the ones that did service last year, Robertson says that these three Tests against France will be used to build the side’s depth – something that needs to be done with an eye to the Rugby World Cup.
The five uncapped players have been called up are hooker Brodie McAlister, prop Ollie Norris, lock Fabian Holland, flanker Kirifi and centre Timoci Tavatavanawai.
“We’ve got to build depth,” Robertson admitted.
“This is one of the squads where we wanted to get guys exposure, find out what the All Black environment is like, get them ready for Test footy, then see them perform.
“Ten debutants last year, five this year… you start to hone it over the next couple of years and have a few less debutants.
“We need to build the depth in some positions. It’s a game of brutality and fine margins and things can change quite quickly so you have to build and lock it in.”
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