All Blacks squad: 12 Chiefs players named in team, including two new faces
The Super Rugby Pacific season has just come to an end and while the final didn't go in favour of the Gallagher Chiefs, there is still reason to be upbeat: 12 of the 35-strong All Blacks squad against France hail from the region.
This makes the Chiefs the most represented
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All Blacks coach Scott Robertson joins Jason Pine live on Newstalk ZB to take listeners' calls
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is set to join Newstalk ZB's Weekend Sport with Jason Pine to talk about his first squad selection of the year and take listeners calls. It comes after Robertson, about to start his second year in the role, named his first All Blacks squad of 2025 on Monday ahead of the home series against France, beginning next week. Watch above or listen live from 1pm on Newstalk ZB below. Six new faces picked for first squad of 2025 Following a spate of injuries and departures offshore, Robertson has put his faith in six newcomers to face Les Bleus, themselves weakened by an inability to select from their full complement for the tour opener, writes the Herald's Alex Powell. After close to a decade of service at both Super Rugby and NPC level, Hurricanes standout and co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi has earned his first-call up. The 28-year-old was arguably the form No 7 in this year's competition, and takes the place of Sam Cane – who left Aotearoa for Japan at the end of 2024. His inclusion, though, comes at the expense of Ethan Blackadder, who was overlooked, and after Peter Lakai's injury, with Robertson naming just five specialist loose forwards. The Highlanders have contributed two of the six new players, despite finishing Super Rugby Pacific as the lowest-placed of the New Zealand sides. Versatile back Timoci Tavatavanawai has earned his maiden selection, and provides Robertson with cover in both the midfield and on the wing. The 27-year-old was a clear standout in the early rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, but was unable to steer his side into a playoffs place. Tavatavanawai is one of six midfielders picked in the 35-man squad, but is also an option to cover the wing, with incumbent Mark Tele'a having signed to join Japanese side Toyota Verblitz from next season. Having impressed for both the All Blacks XV and as a development player with the All Blacks, Fabian Holland's rapid rise into Robertson's plans has taken the next step. An injury to Sam Darry, who himself debuted in 2024, means Holland wins his first selection, after only recently qualifying for New Zealand having relocated from the Netherlands. In the front row, the Chiefs make up the rest of the uncapped brigade. Following injury to Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 25-year-old prop Ollie Norris has been called up for the first time and will contest the No 1 jersey with incumbents Ethan de Groot and Tamaiti Williams. Hooker Brodie McAlister, meanwhile, is arguably the squad's one and only bolter. The 28-year-old moved north from the Crusaders to the Chiefs at the start of the season, but largely played back-up to Samisoni Taukei'aho. His inclusion comes with Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua sidelined by a hamstring injury, and ahead of Crusaders youngster George Bell, who was selected for the first time and debuted last year. 'Around three-quarters of the players named today were part of our squad for the 2024 northern tour, which is important because we want to continue to build on the rugby we were playing at the end of last year,' Robertson said on Monday. 'We have balanced that with an exciting group of new and returning players who have performed during Super Rugby Pacific. 'For the five uncapped players – Ollie, Brodie, Fabian, Du'Plessis and Timoci – this is a particularly special day. 'These players have all impressed us with their talent and work ethic and have earned their opportunity to be part of this All Blacks squad. 'We know that each of these players possesses the ability to make their mark in the black jersey and we look forward to working with them over the coming weeks.' Elsewhere, Quinn Tupaea returns to the All Blacks for the first time since 2022. The 26-year-old's World Cup dreams were crushed when a reckless tackle by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain left him with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, and forced Tupaea to spend the last two years building back to form. But Tupaea's selection leaves no room for Crusaders captain David Havili, despite leading his side to the Super Rugby Pacific title last week. Meanwhile an ankle injury to loose forward Wallace Sititi has ruled him out of the French series, with the uncapped Christian Lio-Willie called in as his replacement. Sititi was initially named in the 35-man squad on Monday, but the All Blacks announced on Thursday he would require surgery. Blues loose forward Dalton Papali'i replaces Lio-Willie as injury cover for Luke Jacobson, who races to prove his fitness to face France. Chiefs prop George Dyer joined the squad as training cover yesterday.
RNZ News
8 hours ago
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Rugby: Toulouse edge out Bordeaux to secure third-straight Top 14 crown
Toulouse's French fullback Thomas Ramos celebrates with the Bouclier de Brennus trophy after winning the French Top 14 rugby union final match between Toulouse and Bordeaux at Stade de France on June 28, 2025 Photo: MARTIN BUREAU Toulouse claimed their third consecutive Top 14 title and a record-extending 24th French rugby championship by beating Bordeaux Begles 39-33 after extra time in a dramatic final. Thomas Ramos kicked two penalties in the last five minutes for Toulouse after Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu had converted a penalty on the hooter to take the game into extra time at 33-33. A try from Anthony Jelonch and a brace from Jack Willis put champions Toulouse in control of the match but Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti also crossed the tryline to keep Bordeaux in touch. Petti and Pierre Bochaton were shown yellow cards and Toulouse, missing talisman Antoine Dupont, won their 11th consecutive final, a year after routing Bordeaux Begles 59-3 in the title match. "Emotions are unbelievable. The scenario is crazy", Jelonch said on France TV. "We were exhausted after 80 minutes, we played 100. When you see all the players' emotions, this one is the most beautiful of all." Bordeaux's Jalibert said he was proud of his side. "We were strong but the coin didn't fall on our side", the fly-half said on France TV. "I think we can keep our heads up. I'm proud of the team because after last year's disappointment, we wanted to come back here." After Toulouse and Bordeaux traded penalties, the holders capitalised on Petti's yellow card to score the opening try when Jelonch found a gap in the defence. Bordeaux responded quickly, however, when Penaud latched on to Maxime Lucu's kick to touch down. Willis restored Toulouse's lead with a powerful finish from a driving maul just before halftime and the English flanker crossed for a second try after Jalibert had dotted down under the posts for Bordeaux. Lock Petti kept the game alive when he went over from a wide position for Bordeaux before Lucu sent the game into extra time. France internationals Romain Ntamack and Louis Bielle-Biarrey did not reappear after halftime, the former due to a shoulder injury while the latter was playing his first match after suffering a concussion. - Reuters
