Scott Robertson, the daring maestro behind the All Blacks, is shaking things up for the third and final Test against France, rolling the dice with a whopping 10 changes. With the series snugly in their pocket, Robertson’s experimenting with his line-up, bringing in a fresh crew to the field, including Damian McKenzie who steps in for the injured Beauden Barrett.
The changes are spearheaded by Ruben Love, who snags the full-back spot from Will Jordan, joining forces with Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece in the back three. The midfield is a Chiefs fest with Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown, back from injury, pairing up for the first time since late April.
Robertson’s gamble extends to the forward pack where Luke Jacobson makes a comeback from concussion at number eight, pushing Christian Lio-Willie to the sidelines. Ardie Savea retains the captain’s armband and teams up with Samipeni Finau, who finally gets his starting nod after being overlooked for the initial duels against the French.
Consistency is somewhat maintained with Fabian Holland and Patrick Tuipulotu continuing their partnership in the locks. The front-row sees Tyrel Lomax and Samisoni Taukei’aho stepping in, adding their might to the scrum.
"We are thrilled to welcome Tyrel, Luke, Anton, and Sevu back from injury and, with 185 caps between them, we know that they will be ready to perform at the highest level,"
Robertson expressed, clearly excited about the return of his seasoned warriors.The bench isn’t short of intrigue either, featuring the potential debutant Brodie McAlister alongside seasoned reserves. Notably, there’s no lock cover, hinting at Robertson’s confidence in his starting engine room.
With these sweeping changes, the All Blacks look geared not just to clinch the series but to test their depth against a formidable French side. It’s a blend of experience and fresh energy, with McKenzie’s playmaking skills set to light up FMG Stadium Waikato come Saturday night. The question now is, will Robertson’s bold bets pay off, or will this new-look team need time to gel?
One thing's for sure, the All Blacks are not just playing for a win; they’re setting the stage for the future, and this Saturday is just a glimpse into what could be a very exciting horizon.