All Blacks v France: Scott Robertson backs four debutants for Dunedin season-opener

Scott Robertson has named four potential debutants in his first All Blacks side of 2025, selected to face France in Dunedin on Saturday.

Having relocated to New Zealand from Holland as a 16-year-old to chase his dream of becoming an All Black, Fabian Holland will make his test debut alongside captain Scott Barrett at lock, on his Highlanders home ground.

That debut, in combination with a spate of injuries in the loose forward trio, sees Tupou Vaa’i shift from lock into No 6, for the first time since the opening match of the 2023 World Cup in France – when the All Blacks were bested 27-13 by the hosts.

Following an injury to Wallace Sititi, Crusaders loose forward Christian Lio-Willie is the second starting debutant, named at No 8, which sees vice-captain Ardie Savea shift to the openside of the scrum.

On the bench, Chiefs prop Ollie Norris will likely debut in the No 17 jersey, after Fletcher Newell was passed fit to start at tighthead following a knee injury in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific final victory.

Lastly, Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi has the chance to earn his first test cap, named in the No 20 jersey, after winning his maiden selection earlier this year.

“This is a huge moment for these men and their families; we are all thrilled for them,” Robertson said.

“For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian’s Highlanders supporters and Christian’s Otago fans will be out in full force,” he said.

“Ollie and Du’Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready.”

Elsewhere, Robertson has made a number of intriguing selections – notably in the backline.

As had been expected, Beauden Barrett has won the race for the No 10 jersey, having finished 2024 as the first choice at first five. Damian McKenzie will cover both first five and fullback, and has been named in the No 23.

With just two specialist wingers named in Robertson’s first squad of the year, Rieko Ioane has been selected out of position in the No 11 jersey.

The 28-year-old initially broke through with the All Blacks on the wing, but has since shifted infield into centre under both Robertson in 2024, and predecessor Ian Foster.

Ioane’s move to the wing sees Billy Proctor earn another start at centre, alongside Hurricanes midfield partner Jordie Barrett, as arguably the best combination Robertson could put forward.

The All Blacks haven’t beaten France since 2018, coincidentally at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

All Blacks team to face France: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.

For live commentary of this weekend’s All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.