Side shows value Robertson places on versatility

Otago Daily Times

7 hours ago

There will not be too many people accusing Scott Robertson of being a touch conservative this week.
The All Blacks coach might have stuck with the tried and true for most of his first season in charge but he has provided plenty of talking points in the first selection of his sophomore season.
Robertson yesterday named four new caps — two in the pack and two more forwards on the bench — and made two major positional switches for the first test against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
There was exciting news for Otago fans as rising lock Fabian Holland and hard-working No8 Christian Lio-Willie were named to make their test debuts.
Holland, 22, will become the first Dutch-born All Black.
The Highlanders sensation came to New Zealand at the age of 16 to pursue his rugby dream, and he will have his mother and younger brother with him on Saturday night to see a dream become reality.
Holland will partner All Blacks captain Scott Barrett in the second row.
Incumbent lock Tupou Vaa'i has been switched to the blindside flank with Ardie Savea at openside.
That means the All Blacks will have an exceptionally tall lineout, and there will be immense interest in whether the mobile Vaa'i, while widely regarded as the country's leading lock, can provide the answer to the blindside conundrum.
It also means a rapid promotion at No8 for Lio-Willie, who was initially in the squad only as injury cover.
The 26-year-old qualified dentist is now an established member of the Crusaders but he has been a regular for Otago in the NPC, and he is still warmly embraced by the Kaikorai club.
Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot fell out of favour at the end of last year but, with incumbent loosehead Tamaiti Williams scratched with injury, de Groot gets another test start with a bit to prove.
The big Southlander joins veteran hooker Codie Taylor and, unexpectedly, Fletcher Newell in the front row.
Newell, who had a big workload for the Crusaders this season, starts as regulaghthead Tyrel Lomax is battling a calf issue and is considered a week-to-week prospect.
The backline features one major positional switch.
Rieko Ioane returns from centre to the left wing, where he made such an impact in his first couple of seasons with the All Blacks.
There is no doubt Ioane is still seen by Robertson as a midfield option but, equally, the popular opinion is that the Blues man is simply a better fit on the wing at the top level.
That means Billy Proctor earns just a third test start, outside Jordie Barrett, and will be charged with igniting the outside attack.
Cam Roigard and Beauden Barrett form the halves combination, and Sevu Reece and Will Jordan complete the backline.
The bench features two new caps, Chiefs prop Ollie Norris and Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi, while midfielder Quinn Tupaea is poised to make his first test appearance in three years.
Robertson has preached the importance of versatility at test level and that underpins the selection of Vaa'i at No6 for the first time since the 2023 World Cup.
"We're looking at options ... the ability of guys to play in two positions," the coach said in Dunedin.
"He's got the skill set. He's quick enough, as he keeps telling us, and he can play on the edge well.
"Test footy's a big man's game. He can start there, finish there, and this week he's starting."
Likewise, Ioane — though almost exclusively a starting centre in recent times, he has occasionally finished tests on the wing — is seen as someone capable of wearing either 13 or 11.
"He's competent in either position, and he can start or finish in either," Robertson said.
"This is an opportunity to get on the wing and do some finishing for us.
"It's exciting. He's keen, he's up for it, whatever the team needs."
Proctor, who scored a try on test debut against Fiji last year and went on the end-of-year tour with the All Blacks but left early to be at the birth of his first child, gets his biggest chance to impress at centre.
He had been consistent, he was strong on both sides of the ball and it was hoped he could help the attack unleash, Robertson said.
It could be another season featuring debate over the No10 jersey but for now it appears the 34-year-old Beauden Barrett's to lose with the mercurial Damian McKenzie on the bench.
"Both have had good seasons. We just felt it was Beauden's opportunity.
"The good thing is it's one of those ones where both have got genuine options. Beaudy's led the group really well, and DMac can come on and change games or finish games."
Robertson said he wanted to see consistency from de Groot for the whole time he was on the field.
"Get his core role right, which is obviously around set piece, and get back to his best."
There is no place yet in the match-day squad for Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai.
"We'll give him a week to understand and embed himself and get up with our calls.
"The first week or so can be a little bit of a heavy load."
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