Razor shuffles the deck
Scott Robertson has shaken up his All Blacks side for the third Test against France, backing a host of new faces – including a debutant – to complete a series sweep in Hamilton.
Robertson has made a bold call to trust his fringe players, making 10 changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s third and final Test.
With the series already sealed after wins in Dunedin and Wellington, Robertson has stuck to his word of giving every fit squad member a run, handing Test debuts to hooker Brodie McAlister off the bench and a first start to fullback Ruben Love.
Love, along with seven others in the match-23, didn’t feature in the first two clashes against a second-string French side, who are resting most of their stars after a long season.
Team for Game Three
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— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 16, 2025
Only Rieko Ioane survives from last week’s backline, while Damian McKenzie returns at flyhalf in place of the injured Beauden Barrett, and Ardie Savea captains the side again with Scott Barrett still sidelined.
“This is about building depth with an eye on 2027,” said Robertson.
“It’s the ability to trust the young fellas, set them up to be successful, and off you go.”
McKenzie is one of seven Chiefs players in the starting lineup for their home Test at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
MORE: France rocked by triple injury blow
Robertson backed his new-look side to match France’s expected changes, praising Les Bleus as a “fierce and proud opponent”.
ALL BLACKS — 15 Ruben Love, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Samipeni Finau
5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot
Bench: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dalton Papali’i, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Will Jordan
© Agence France-Presse
Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images
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