All Blacks team winners and losers as Scott Robertson gives ...

Following Scott Robertson’s team announcement for the All Blacks’ first Test against England, here are our winners and losers from the 23 named for the clash in Dunedin.

In the new head coach’s first-ever squad, he has generally gone for the tried and tested, despite them losing some of their generational greats following the Rugby World Cup, including Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.

We unpack the matchday 23 and pick out our winners and losers from Robertson’s selections.

Winners

Stephen Perofeta rewarded

After an excellent season for the Blues, where he moved from fly-half to full-back after recovering from injury, Perofeta fulfils that extra playmaking role ahead of Beauden Barrett (more on that later). The 27-year-old played a key role in the Auckland outfit’s title triumph and, like Barrett, will offer a running, passing and kicking option.

However, it remains a very interesting call given the pressure England will attempt to put on via their aerial game. Considering Perofeta’s inexperience at Test level few would have picked him over Barrett, mainly for that reason.

New and old half-back combination

While the names of TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie are familiar to everyone, it is still somewhat of a step into the unknown for the All Blacks. While Perenara has earned 80 caps and McKenzie is just three shy of 50, they have rarely, if ever, been first choice for New Zealand.

When everyone has been available for the big games, these two have generally been forced to make do with a role on the bench, but that has now changed at the start of the Robertson era. With Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga in Japan, Perenara and McKenzie have been entrusted with the responsibility to guide the team around the field.

Samipeni Finau

Robertson could have moved Scott Barrett to blindside, while Ethan Blackadder would have been in contention as well, but this selection just makes sense. Finau is the natural successor to Shannon Frizell, who was superb in 2023, as he offers an excellent all-round skill set.

The Chiefs flanker is big, powerful and athletic but, standing at 6ft 5in, he also provides a lineout option, which is absolutely crucial at Test level. Finau is an outstanding talent that gives balance to that back-row alongside Dalton Papali’i and Ardie Savea.

The two Scotts

It is a game of firsts for Scott Robertson and Scott Barrett, two Crusaders legends who are now head coach and captain of the All Blacks respectively. Robertson selected Barrett as his skipper and, given their connection, it is easy to see why.

The lock is an experienced and world-class operator at Test level, while he is also renowned for being a sharp thinker on the field tactically. Still, the pressure inevitably increases on the second-row as he has to carry the weight of expectation that comes with being the New Zealand captain.

Asafo Aumua and Luke Jacobson

Moving onto the bench and it is a big day for Aumua and Jacobson, who have a chance to stake their claim for regular slots in the All Blacks 23. For the former, it is particularly significant with the Hurricanes hooker benefiting from Samisoni Taukei’aho’s absence through injury.

Aumua was one of the best U20 players we’ve seen but he initially struggled to transfer that into senior rugby. However, he has matured both as a player and a front-rower, and it will be fascinating to see how he goes over the next few weeks.

As for the supremely talented Jacobson, he has earned almost 20 caps but has never really established himself in the All Blacks squad. Injuries at just the wrong time have not helped but, following a few appearances in last year’s Rugby World Cup, this could be his time to step up.

Scott Robertson decides on All Blacks fly-half role as surprise call made in back three for England opener

Losers

Beauden Barrett

It was quite the shock to see the great playmaker listed on the bench. Most assumed both Barrett and McKenzie would be in the XV, with the only decision for Robertson being what number they wore, but in the end the head coach opted for Perofeta at full-back.

The head coach indicated that the 27-year-old’s form for the Blues, allied with Barrett’s time in Japan, contributed to the decision. Perofeta is certainly battle-hardened having started in the Super Rugby Pacific final just two weeks ago, while Barrett has spent 2024 in Asia and has not played for two months.

Uncapped quintet

Interestingly, Robertson has gone for experience, with none of the five newbies named in the wider 32 getting picked for this huge clash. Most wouldn’t have been far away, but you can understand the head coach’s selection decisions.

Cortez Ratima and Billy Proctor in particular would have been close but, with Finlay Christie and Anton Lienert-Brown getting selected, there cannot be too many complaints. Both have been in exceptional form for their franchises and provide more knowhow than the other two. Their time, alongside the other uncapped players – George Bell, Pasilio Tosi and Wallace Sititi – will come soon enough.

Tough decisions at prop

We have already mentioned Tosi, the bolter who didn’t make it for Test one against England, but the biggest omission is that of Tamaiti Williams. The prop, who can play on both sides of the scrum, became a key part of the squad in 2023 and came off the bench in the Rugby World Cup final, but he simply hasn’t played enough rugby this year.

Injured for most of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Williams only featured in the final few rounds of the Crusaders’ season. Robertson evidently doesn’t feel that he is quite at the level of the other options at the moment, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Fletcher Newell producing excellent individual displays in Super Rugby to deserve their sports in the 23.

Ethan Blackadder

There were concerns that Robertson would favour the Crusaders when he became boss, but the decision to leave out Williams and also his call to select Jacobson and Finau over Blackadder shows he is picking on merit.

Blackadder was a notable inclusion in the initial 32 considering his injury issues over the past few seasons and he has not done enough to make the squad for the England Test. He is adored by all coaches and players that come across him but, at the moment, the head coach has deemed him not quite ready to return to Test rugby.

In-form wings miss out

Picking Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece is hardly a surprise but the other two wings in the wider squad – Caleb Clarke and Emoni Narawa – also had a case for inclusion. Both have been in fine form this season, with Clarke particularly impressing for the Blues, but Robertson has decided against selecting them.

It is another one which must have been a 50/50 call for the All Blacks boss but they will just have to wait for their chance, and there should be plenty given the length of the Test season and the number of matches they are playing in 2024.

READ MORE: Springboks team winners and losers as Rassie Erasmus backs ‘written off veteran’ and snubs ‘struggling playmaker’ against Ireland