logo
#

Latest news with #JulySeries

Scott Robertson makes changes for All Blacks test
Scott Robertson makes changes for All Blacks test

Otago Daily Times

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Otago Daily Times

Scott Robertson makes changes for All Blacks test

Seven players in the 23 have been named for the first time this season, and one player is set to debut this Saturday night when the All Blacks aim to close out their July Series with a third win against France. Scott Robertson's team has a heavy Chiefs influence for the game in Hamilton, with Damian McKenzie starting at first five in place of an injured Beauden Barrett. Hooker Brodie McAlister will become the sixth debutant of the season if when comes off the bench to replace starting hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho. Prop Tyrel Lomax, loose forward Luke Jacobson and backs Anton Lienert-Brown and Sevu Reece have all returned from injury to take a spot in the starting line-up, while Ruben Love will earn his second test cap playing at fullback. In the reserves, prop George Bower, loose forward Dalton Papali'i and halfback Noah Hotham will all pull on the black jersey for the first time in 2025. Robertson said there was a healthy edge in the camp this week, knowing that the French will throw everything at this final game of the series. "There is high motivation and focus to perform in Hamilton this week. We are prepared for a determined and spirited French side, and excited to play in front of a passionate sold-out crowd. "We are thrilled to welcome Tyrel, Luke, Anton and Sevu back from injury and, with 185 caps between them, we know that they will be ready to perform at the highest level. It is also exciting to have Brodie debuting, as well as Ruben, Noah and Timoci adding to their single All Blacks cap. These men have earned their place in the team, have trained extremely hard over the last three weeks, and will take their opportunity on Saturday night." The French side will be named tonight, with Fabien Galthie widely expected to go back to the majority of players that he fielded in the first test in Dunedin. All Blacks team to play France Kick-off: 7.05pm Saturday, July 19 FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (vc), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Ruben Love. 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 Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Scott Barrett (calf); Caleb Clarke (ankle); Tupou Vaa'i (concussion); Beauden Barrett (hand)

Scott Robertson rolls in changes for final All Blacks test against France
Scott Robertson rolls in changes for final All Blacks test against France

RNZ News

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • RNZ News

Scott Robertson rolls in changes for final All Blacks test against France

The All Blacks celebrate after beating France. Photo: Marty Melville / Ruben Love Photo: Christopher Jue/ActionPress Seven players in the 23 have been named for the first time this season, and one player is set to debut this Saturday night when the All Blacks aim to close out their July Series with a third win against France. Scott Robertson's team has a heavy Chiefs influence for the game in Hamilton, with Damian McKenzie starting at first five in place of an injured Beauden Barrett. Hooker Brodie McAlister will become the sixth debutant of the season if when comes off the bench to replace starting hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho. Prop Tyrel Lomax, loose forward Luke Jacobson and backs Anton Lienert-Brown and Sevu Reece have all returned from injury to take a spot in the starting line-up, while Ruben Love will earn his second test cap playing at fullback. In the reserves, prop George Bower, loose forward Dalton Papali'i and halfback Noah Hotham will all pull on the black jersey for the first time in 2025. Robertson said there was a healthy edge in the camp this week, knowing that the French will throw everything at this final game of the series. "There is high motivation and focus to perform in Hamilton this week. We are prepared for a determined and spirited French side, and excited to play in front of a passionate sold-out crowd. "We are thrilled to welcome Tyrel, Luke, Anton and Sevu back from injury and, with 185 caps between them, we know that they will be ready to perform at the highest level. It is also exciting to have Brodie debuting, as well as Ruben, Noah and Timoci adding to their single All Blacks cap. These men have earned their place in the team, have trained extremely hard over the last three weeks, and will take their opportunity on Saturday night." The French side will be named tonight, with Fabien Galthie widely expected to go back to the majority of players that he fielded in the first test in Dunedin. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Live: Scott Robertson rolls in changes for final All Blacks test against France
Live: Scott Robertson rolls in changes for final All Blacks test against France

RNZ News

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • RNZ News

Live: Scott Robertson rolls in changes for final All Blacks test against France

The All Blacks celebrate after beating France. Photo: Marty Melville / Ruben Love Photo: Christopher Jue/ActionPress Seven players in the 23 have been named for the first time this season, and one player is set to debut this Saturday night when the All Blacks aim to close out their July Series with a third win against France. Scott Robertson's team has a heavy Chiefs influence for the game in Hamilton, with Damian McKenzie starting at first five in place of an injured Beauden Barrett. Hooker Brodie McAlister will become the sixth debutant of the season if when comes off the bench to replace starting hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho. Prop Tyrel Lomax, loose forward Luke Jacobson and backs Anton Lienert-Brown and Sevu Reece have all returned from injury to take a spot in the starting line-up, while Ruben Love will earn his second test cap playing at fullback. In the reserves, prop George Bower, loose forward Dalton Papali'i and halfback Noah Hotham will all pull on the black jersey for the first time in 2025. Robertson said there was a healthy edge in the camp this week, knowing that the French will throw everything at this final game of the series. "There is high motivation and focus to perform in Hamilton this week. We are prepared for a determined and spirited French side, and excited to play in front of a passionate sold-out crowd. "We are thrilled to welcome Tyrel, Luke, Anton and Sevu back from injury and, with 185 caps between them, we know that they will be ready to perform at the highest level. It is also exciting to have Brodie debuting, as well as Ruben, Noah and Timoci adding to their single All Blacks cap. These men have earned their place in the team, have trained extremely hard over the last three weeks, and will take their opportunity on Saturday night." The French side will be named tonight, with Fabien Galthie widely expected to go back to the majority of players that he fielded in the first test in Dunedin. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Timoci Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France Series
Timoci Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France Series

Straits Times

time29-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Straits Times

Timoci Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France Series

Timoci Tavatavanawai among five new caps in All Blacks squad for France Series – Timoci Tavatavanawai was one of five uncapped players named in the All Blacks squad on June 23 for the July Series against France, with the Fiji-born centre earning his first Test call-up at the age of 27 after a superb Super Rugby season. Tavatavanawai's power and pace, along with his ability to turn the ball over at the breakdown, earned him a place in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific dream team but he might find it tougher to break into the New Zealand midfield. Coach Scott Robertson has brought Jordie Barrett straight back into his squad after a sabbatical in Ireland with Leinster, and also recalled powerhouse Quinn Tupaea after three injury-blighted seasons. 'It's always a challenge to pick the best players in the country,' he said. 'You look through the whole season, you look for reliability, the ability to keep turning up, their skill sets under pressure, how they complement the group. 'It's a hell of a team.' Tavatavanawai said it had been an emotional moment for him and his family when he heard that his dream of an All Blacks call-up had been fulfilled. 'It means everything,' he said. 'I left (home) when I was 16. My brother and sister were about 13 and I've missed a crucial part of their growing up. 'All that sacrifice comes up to this moment, so it's pretty special. 'I think that's why mum pretty much straight away jumped in my arms.' Flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi and hooker Brodie McAlister are two other experienced players who have earned their first call-ups in their late 20s on the back of standout domestic seasons. 'Du'Plessis is the ultimate story of what it takes to keep working and absolute desire to be an All Black,' forwards coach Jason Ryan said of the 28-year-old openside. There was no place in the squad for openside Dalton Papali'i or blindside Ethan Blackadder, with Kirifi one of only five loose forwards selected, along with Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson. Jacobson picked up a knock in the Super Rugby final and the uncapped No. 8 Christian Lio-Willie will join the squad as injury cover along with winger Emoni Narawa, who will make up the numbers while Anton Lienert-Brown completes his recuperation from a broken collarbone. Powerful loosehead prop Ollie Norris and the Netherlands-born lock Fabian Holland round out the quintet of uncapped players named by Robertson. New Zealand host France in the opening Test in Dunedin on July 5 before further clashes in Wellington and Hamilton the following weekends. Meanwhile, Australia fullback Tom Wright said the Wallabies were not reading a great deal into the British and Irish Lions' 28-24 loss to Argentina in their tour opener on June 21. The Lions party arrived in Perth on June 22 to prepare for their first tour match in Australia against Super Rugby Pacific side Western Force on June 28. 'I wouldn't read a whole lot into it, it was a pretty thrilling game... there was plenty of running rugby,' Wright said in Sydney on June 23 at the Wallabies training camp for their warmup match against Fiji. 'Is that the side they might roll out? Maybe or maybe not, there were a lot of big names that obviously didn't play... 'The Argentinians were really good (but) I wouldn't (say) that the Lions played really poorly. 'There's also that it's a bunch of guys trying to come together for the first time.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store