Scott Robertson, the All Blacks' head honcho, has spilled the beans on his audacious picks for the opening Test match against France. Notably, Beauden Barrett has been favored as fly-half over Damian McKenzie, stirring up the rugby pot once again. Meanwhile, fresh faces Christian Lio-Willie and Fabian Holland are set to start, adding youthful zest to the lineup.
Robertson's choice of Barrett is rooted in solid performances throughout the Super Rugby season. "Beauden has led the group really, really well," Robertson said, confirming that Barrett's form tipped the scales in his favor. McKenzie isn't left out in the cold, though. He's poised to inject some dynamism off the bench, which Robertson believes is crucial for finishing games strongly.
"They both had good seasons, but we just felt that Beauden deserved the opportunity,"
Robertson explained, highlighting the luxury of having two top-notch fly-halves.
On the topic of debuts, Lio-Willie's inclusion at number eight is a nod to his robust showings in Super Rugby Pacific. "His performances the whole season, particularly in the last few weeks, have proved that," noted Robertson, emphasizing the player’s readiness for the international stage.
Moving Ardie Savea from number eight to openside flanker is another tweak in the team's composition. Savea, a veteran who has dazzled at flank in the past, offers flexibility and experience to the role. "The good thing about Ardie is that he can play seven and eight extremely well," Robertson remarked. Though Savea's shift isn't set in stone, it's a strategic move for this match's dynamics.
As for the bench strategy, the blend of fresh legs and seasoned skills aims to address the All Blacks' recent struggles in game finales. "We’ve gone for a bit of balance and what complements us, where we sit in the game and the potential outcomes," said Robertson, stressing the importance of impactful substitutions.
Unfortunately, props Tamiati Williams and Tyrel Lomax are sidelined, with Lomax possibly returning for the second Test. Robertson remains hopeful, stating, "We’ll see what he’s like and hope he recovers better with that calf for next week."
With these strategic selections and tactical shifts, Robertson's lineup for the France showdown is as much about showcasing new talent as it is about leveraging seasoned players in new roles, all while keeping the game's unpredictability firmly in check.
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Scott Robertson, the All Blacks' head honcho, has spilled the beans on his audacious picks for the opening Test match against France. Notably, Beauden Barrett has been favored as fly-half over Damian McKenzie, stirring up the rugby pot once again. Meanwhile, fresh faces Christian Lio-Willie and Fabian Holland are set to start, adding youthful zest to the lineup.
Robertson's choice of Barrett is rooted in solid performances throughout the Super Rugby season. "Beauden has led the group really, really well," Robertson said, confirming that Barrett's form tipped the scales in his favor. McKenzie isn't left out in the cold, though. He's poised to inject some dynamism off the bench, which Robertson believes is crucial for finishing games strongly.
"They both had good seasons, but we just felt that Beauden deserved the opportunity,"
Robertson explained, highlighting the luxury of having two top-notch fly-halves.On the topic of debuts, Lio-Willie's inclusion at number eight is a nod to his robust showings in Super Rugby Pacific. "His performances the whole season, particularly in the last few weeks, have proved that," noted Robertson, emphasizing the player’s readiness for the international stage.
Moving Ardie Savea from number eight to openside flanker is another tweak in the team's composition. Savea, a veteran who has dazzled at flank in the past, offers flexibility and experience to the role. "The good thing about Ardie is that he can play seven and eight extremely well," Robertson remarked. Though Savea's shift isn't set in stone, it's a strategic move for this match's dynamics.
As for the bench strategy, the blend of fresh legs and seasoned skills aims to address the All Blacks' recent struggles in game finales. "We’ve gone for a bit of balance and what complements us, where we sit in the game and the potential outcomes," said Robertson, stressing the importance of impactful substitutions.
Unfortunately, props Tamiati Williams and Tyrel Lomax are sidelined, with Lomax possibly returning for the second Test. Robertson remains hopeful, stating, "We’ll see what he’s like and hope he recovers better with that calf for next week."
With these strategic selections and tactical shifts, Robertson's lineup for the France showdown is as much about showcasing new talent as it is about leveraging seasoned players in new roles, all while keeping the game's unpredictability firmly in check.