On Thursday, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson will name his first 23-man matchday squad for 2025, to play against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Three former All Blacks, Mils Muliaina, Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall have all chosen their 23-man squad, ahead of this weekend’s first Test of the International season.
81-Test former All Black halfback Justin Marshall has tried to balance what he would pick, and what will likely be named on Thursday.
“So pretty much what I’ve tried to do is balance out with my side is thinking most likely what Scott Robertson would pick, but equally what I would like him to pick.
“I think the tight five takes care of itself, there probably are not a lot of arguments within that, in my mind, it’s nice and solid.”
Marshall’s 23-man squad for France 1st Test (In order 1-23):
Starting 15: Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Christian Lio-Willie, Cameron Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Noah Hotham, Damian McKenzie, Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Former All Black centurion Mils Muliaina’s 23-man squad is very similar to Marshall’s but has a couple of key changes.
“I totally agree with what Marshy has mentioned, the fact that our tight five is pretty solid, so I picked the same five,” Muliaina told The Breakdown.
“I’ve kind of picked my team around, what Razor sort of mentioned, how they’re going to possibly play the game.
“But also the fact that we’re hearing that we’re going to have a little bit of air and we can come back and sort of have a little bit of stability around our ball carrying.”
Muliaina’s 23-man squad for France 1st Test:
Starting 15: Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Cameron Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea.
Jeff Wilson’s 23-man squad for the first France Test is different to the others, taking a more bold approach that gives players a game that have earned their spot in the starting lineup.
“The reality is, we could all pick a side in there that looks really strong, I like both of those sides, but I’ve gone down a different route, because quite often, traditionally, in a three-test series, if you’re going to give new guys an opportunity you’d wait till the third test,” Wilson told The Breakdown.
“I think it’s been a heavy workload for a lot of guys over the last month and there’s some guys that haven’t played any rugby, and I’m concerned about those guys as well. If they don’t play the first couple of weeks, they might not have played rugby for six or seven weeks, that’s a long time on the sidelines.
“I’m playing a little bit of a Highlanders card here, as well as being in Dunedin, I think the likes of Ethan de Groot, can go out there and do a really strong job for them up front to start with.”
Wilson’s 23-man squad for France 1st Test:
Starting 15: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Samipeni Finau, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, Cameron Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Fabian Holland, Christian Lio-Willie, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Timoci Tavatavanawai.
