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Sport Nation
Razor names five uncapped players in All Blacks squad to face France
Sport Nation • June 23rd, 2025 12:00 pm
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named five uncapped players in his first All Blacks squad for 2025.
Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister and pro Ollie Norris, Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai are the players in line to earn their test debut during the upcoming series against France.
Crusaders No. 8 Christian Lio-Willie and Chiefs flier Emoni Narawa have been included as injury cover for Luke Jacobson, who suffered a head knock in the Chiefs Super Rugby final defeat on Saturday, and Anton-Lienert-Brown respectively.
The most notable absentees in Robertson's 35-man squad, announced at Taranaki's Coastal Rugby Club on Monday, are Blues flanker Dalton Papali'i, Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder and midfielder David Havili, as well as Japan-bound Blues wing Mark Tele'a.
Unavailable due to injury are Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, and Stephen Perofeta.
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Scott Barrett will again captain the team, while Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett, back from his Irish sabbatical, have been named vice-captains.
Midfielder Quinn Tupaea has been rewarded for his resurgent season with the Chiefs with a return to the All Blacks fold, putting him in line to make his first test appearance since 2022.
The All Blacks also welcome back hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, who has not featured for the All Blacks since 2023, alongside the squad's stand-put bolter, fellow No. 2 McAlister.
"It's a great story, he's worked extremely hard," said Ryan at Monday's press conference.
"He's the ultimate story of what it takes to keep working and have an absolute desire to be an All Black.
"He's worked well and got the balance right, learning a lot about himself leading Wellington and the Hurricanes. It's brought the best out of him."
Holland is promoted as a replacement for injured Blues lock Sam Darry, who's still recovering from a shoulder injury that curtailed his Super Rugby campaign.
"We love him," Ryan said of the Dutch-born 22-year-old.
"He just loves the contest, everywhere on the field, he's in the contest. With the ball or without the ball, he's a competitor."
Tomoci Tavatavanawai | Photo: Photosport
Robertson said versatility is a key focus for the group. Only five loose forwards have been named, with the intention that one of the locks will need to cover No. 6, while Samipeni Finau is also capable of switching back to second row.
He adds Savea can play at both openside flanker and No 8.
"His involvements where we can get the best out him on the field," Robertson says.
"It's a great balance between him and Du'Plessis, both great over the ball and great ball carriers who can stop a game in its tracks by big turnovers and high self control."
A similar theory applies to the outside backs, where only two specialist wingers, Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece, were named, with Emoni Narawa is only selected as injury cover.
"Will [Jordan] can play wing, and obviously so can Rieko, Jordie [Barrett] can cover fullback," Robertson added.
"We've got a mix. We wanted that utility factor."
The series against France begins in Dunedin on July 5, followed by a trip to Wellington (July 12), before heading further north for the finale in Hamilton (July 19).
Tune into Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy at 4pm today for a live interview with All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
All Blacks squad vs France
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister.
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi.
Locks: Scott Barrett (capt), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland.
Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson.
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah Hotham.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love.
Injury cover: Christian Lio-Willie (for Luke Jacobson), Emoni Narawa (for Anton Lienert-Brown).
Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta.
