All Blacks great Justin Marshall has slammed Scott Robertson for failing to be “bold and brave” with his squad for next month’s Grand Slam end of year tour.
Robertson named a 36-man squad, which included veteran Rieko Ioane and Finlay Christie.
Playmaker Beauden Barrett was also cleared for his comeback after suffering a shoulder injury during the All Blacks’ opening Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies in Auckland.
Barrett was named alongside his younger brother and captain Scott, while Ardie Savea was named vice-captain.
Rieko Ioane has been retained in the All Blacks squad for their end of year tour. (Photo by Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
Hooker George Bell is the only new inclusion who was not involved in The Rugby Championship, while Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo is the only uncapped member of the squad.
The All Blacks get their northern hemisphere tour underway against Ireland, with the two nations to play in Chicago at Soldier Field Stadium on November 2, some nine years after Joe Schmidt famously oversaw the nation’s first win over New Zealand at the same American venue.
The All Blacks, who are hoping to record their first Grand Slam success since 2010 and fifth in total, will then travel to Great Britain to take on Scotland, England and Wales.
“There is a lot of history that has led up to this opportunity for our group, so we will be honouring and taking inspiration from the feats that have come before us,” Robertson said.
“The rematch against Ireland at Soldier Field will be a huge occasion, and then facing some of the northern hemisphere’s best at their home grounds is a fantastic challenge for us. We are looking forward to this very special tour.”
Scott Robertson is hoping to lead the All Blacks to their first Grand Slam triumph since 2010. (Photo by Craig Butland/MB Media/Getty Images)
Robertson’s squad is strong, albeit conservative – and it’s why Marshall, the former halfback and captain, hit out at the 36-man squad.
“It’s very mandatory of what they’ve been using this season and to a degree last year as well. No real major surprises or bolters, as we like to say,” Marshall said on Sport Nation Mornings with Ian Smith.
“So obviously, Scott Robertson, is the one that is responsible for taking the players that he believes can go away and win four Test matches.”
Indeed, the retention of Ioane, who will join Leinster following the tour for the second half of the United Rugby Championship season, points to that.
The 28-year-old, 87-Test veteran was relegated to the bench against the Wallabies in Perth and has fallen down the pecking order in the midfield channel over the past 12 months following the rise of Billy Proctor and return to fitness of Quinn Tupaea.
Leicester Fainga’anuku’s return to New Zealand will only make the outside channels even more competitive.
But rather than bow to external pressure to leave him out, Robertson has retained the experienced campaigner.
The decision possibly sets up another mouth-watering matchup against Ireland early next month, but he’s no certainty to earn selection, especially with wingers Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece and incumbent Leroy Carter all selected.
Will Jordan will likely continue at fullback, while Hurricanes livewire Ruben Love and All Blacks regular Damian McKenzie are also options.
The midfield will continue to be competitive, especially after Tupaea’s standout performance against the Wallabies.
He is joined by Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown and Proctor in the squad.
Christie is the third halfback in the squad, alongside star No.9 Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima.
Robertson and forwards coach Jason Ryan will be happy with the cattle available up front despite regulars Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua and Tupou Vaa’i being ruled out of the tour.
Codie Taylor provides plenty of experience at hooker and is joined by the in-form Samisoni Taukei’aho and rising George Bell, while the six props picked are a little raw but offer plenty of punch up front.
There’s a healthy balance of experience and fresh talent coming through in the second-row with Barrett joined by Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland and Josh Lord.
While Robertson has plenty of options in the back-row, with Du’Plessis Kirifi included alongside his Hurricanes teammate Peter Lakai and Chiefs skipper Luke Jacobson.
An annoyed Marshall said he would have given opportunities for others, identifying rising Highlanders halfback Dylan Pledger as someone who would have benefitted from being given a call-up.
“Look, I don’t feel that you have to hold back on players when they’ve been in the system and no doubt, Dylan Pledger in particular has been in the system,” Marshall continued.
“He’s a player that has been under their watch, so when you’re watching a player like that, at some stage, you know that you’ve got to pull the trigger on them.
“And I just don’t feel there’s a future in Finlay Christie, so why the hell are they taking him, like I don’t understand the thought process there where you’ve got two established halfbacks in Cameron Roigard and Cortez Ratima, you could have put Finlay Christie in the All Blacks XV that’ll be in the UK.”
Pledger, 20, starred for Otago in their massive NPC quarterfinal win over Waikato on Friday, scoring a try early in the first half and a 60m intercept try in the second half.
“Get a guy like Dylan Pledger in the system like put him in the mix, see how he reacts in the environment he might not get any minutes, but get him involved, and let him know what it feels like to be in an All Black camp,” Marshall said.
“So I don’t understand why they are not being brave and bold, given that they’ve had inconsistency in their Test matches and their success, take a risk, and to be honest. I don’t feel like taking Dylan Pledger is a risk.”
All Blacks 36-man squad:
Forwards: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tevita Mafileo, Scott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson.
Backs: Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Leroy Carter, Will Jordan, Ruben Love.
Unavailable due to injury: Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Noah Hotham, Emoni Narawa, Ollie Norris, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Asafo Aumua, Stephen Perofeta, Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Christy Doranhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/10/13/all-blacks-out-to-end-15-year-grand-slam-drought-as-razor-keeps-faith-in-rieko-in-strong-squad/‘Why the hell are they taking him?’ All Blacks great slams Razor for not being ‘brave and bold’ with Grand Slam squad
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