ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

"Opportunity is there": Razor uses third France clash as testing ground for players, combinations

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 18 Jul 2025, 8:52am
Damian McKenzie in action against France. Photo / Photosport
Damian McKenzie in action against France. Photo / Photosport

"Opportunity is there": Razor uses third France clash as testing ground for players, combinations

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 18 Jul 2025, 8:52am

Scott Robertson can no longer be accused of being timid with his All Blacks team selections. 

Ten changes were made to the starting XV for Saturday's third and final test against France in Hamilton. 

Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea and Rieko Ioane are the only players remaining from the last run-on side. 

Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby Elliott Smith told Heather du Plessis-Allan that opportunities to test out different players and different combinations don’t come along too often. 

He says the All Blacks still want to win the final test, but Robertson has to take these opportunities to find out a little bit more about the likes of Damian McKenzie on 10, Samipeni Finau on blindside flank, among others. 

“You just won’t get them too often, and it certainly won’t come in the rugby championship.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you