All Blacks Squad Revealed: Robertson's Brave Selections Signal New Era
So, big news from the world of rugby — the All Blacks have just named their 33-man squad for the upcoming three-Test series against France, and it’s definitely created a buzz. Scott Robertson, in his second year as head coach, has made some bold moves, bringing fresh energy into the side by rewarding red-hot Super Rugby form and giving five new faces their first shot at the black jersey. You can already feel the shift in strategy here, and fans are dissecting every pick.
Let’s start with the exciting part — the winners. Five uncapped players have made the cut: Timoci Tavatavanawai, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland, Ollie Norris, and Brodie McAlister. Now, Tavatavanawai and Holland were standouts even though their Highlanders side finished last. Tavatavanawai was electric with ball in hand, while Holland held the fort defensively. Kirifi, from the Hurricanes, has been relentless, and people are already drawing comparisons between him and South Africa’s Kwagga Smith — explosive off the bench, a real weapon late in the game.
Even Norris and McAlister, who didn’t get as much limelight, earned their places through solid, consistent performances. It’s clear Robertson isn’t just rewarding flash — he’s valuing discipline and reliability too.
Then there’s the return of some big names. Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea is back after a long injury layoff. He hasn’t worn the black jersey since 2022, but this season he was a force — second most carries in Super Rugby Pacific and one of the top for clean breaks. That’s form you can’t ignore. Scott Barrett also retains his captaincy, despite some early-season struggles with the Crusaders. He bounced back strong and led from the front during their Super Rugby title charge, which clearly convinced Robertson to keep faith in him.
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Veteran Anton Lienert-Brown is also in — even though he’s coming back from injury, his 84 Tests of experience speak volumes. When he’s fit, he delivers.
But every selection has its flipside, and there are some notable absentees. Ethan Blackadder, who gave everything for the Crusaders and literally put his body on the line with a 31-tackle performance in the semis, has been left out. Injuries didn’t help his case, but it’s still a tough break. David Havili’s omission also stings. He’s been solid, even captaining the Crusaders’ backline, but it wasn’t enough to get the nod.
Leroy Carter is another one — with Mark Tele’a no longer eligible due to his move to Japan, Carter had a golden opportunity. He was one of the top try-scorers this season and beat defenders for fun, but still missed the cut. And then there’s AJ Lam, who’s evolved beautifully into a powerful inside centre. Just unlucky this time around, especially with Tupaea back in the mix.
Speaking of Tele’a — his move overseas has cost him his All Blacks future, due to the NZR policy on offshore-based players. That decision has now officially closed the book on a promising Test career.
Finally, let’s not forget the injury list. Big names like Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta, and Asafo Aumua were all unavailable for selection. Some of them were key players last year, and their absence definitely influenced this squad makeup.
All in all, Robertson has made it clear — form matters, consistency is rewarded, and there’s no room for sentiment. It’s a squad built for power, versatility, and explosive impact. The countdown to July 5th is on, and the series against France is shaping up to be a real test of this new-look All Blacks era. Let’s see how it plays out.
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