Scott Robertson: All Blacks Coach on the naming of the squad to face France - The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Scott Robertson has called up five new faces for his first All Blacks class of 2025, with his 35-man squad for next month’s series against France named. 

All Blacks regulars Dalton Papali'i, Ethan Blackadder and David Havili have been left out of the squad instead. 

The trio’s exclusion comes with the inclusion of Ollie Norris, Brodie McAlister, Fabian Holland, Timoci Tavatavanawai, and Du'Plessis Kirifi. 

Coach Scott Robertson says it wasn't easy to leave out players like Papali'i, Blackadder, and Havili. 

He told Mike Hosking that you need to give opportunities to players over this period of time and get to know what they’re going to be like in action. 

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