In a bold reshuffle of the All Blacks squad for the upcoming clash against France, head coach Dave Rennie, stepping in after Scott Robertson, has opted for a blend of youth and form in his selection. The match, set to unfold at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, marks Rennie's first test at the helm. Among the notable decisions is the inclusion of Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson as a flanker, a move endorsed by the legendary Sir John Kirwan.
Rennie's choice of back-five forwards has sparked discussions, notably with the youthful locks Josh Lord and Sam Darry stepping up in the absence of key players like Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i. Backing them up from the bench is Patrick Tuipulotu. The loose trio sees Ardie Savea at number eight, flanked by Peter Lakai and Luke Jacobson, whose selection has been particularly spotlighted.
Kirwan, speaking on the Rivals podcast, commended the coaching team for their adherence to form-based selection. "They said they were going to pick on form," Kirwan noted, adding that "Josh Lord really matured last year on that northern hemisphere tour; obviously, Sam Darry has had a good season, and he’s been working really hard on his physicality."
"I understand the Luke Jacobson selection because if you’re going to play Peter Lakai and Ardie, you’ve got two really great ball carriers and quite loose, but you’re going to need a Sam Cane-type player, and I think that’s where Jacobson really comes into his own."
Rennie, unbothered by traditional positional play, emphasized the attributes each player brings to the field. "It’s just numbers on the back for me," he stated, underscoring the physicality and post-tackle presence his selected trio will bring against the French.
Kirwan further elaborated on the evolving role of flankers in modern rugby, suggesting a departure from traditional roles. "Although they’ve named him at seven, don’t expect him to be playing the traditional seven," he said. "He will get in there, make his tackles and do the dirty work so we can loosen the other two up."
The All Blacks team thus appears primed for a dynamic performance, reflecting Rennie's philosophy of adaptability and form-based selection. This approach, blending the robust with the tactical, sets the stage for what promises to be an enthralling encounter with France.
All Blacks Team: Ardie Savea (8), Peter Lakai (6), Luke Jacobson (7), Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (bench).