All Blacks coach Scott Robertson appears to be taking a page out of Rassie Erasmus’ coaching playbook as he named his match-23 to face France.
Razor raised some eyebrows when he named Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i at No 6 ahead of Chiefs team-mate Samipeni Finau, with the latter in the reserves.
“He’s done it before, he’s played for the Chiefs there before, so it’s not totally new. He’s a big man with a great skillset and he’s quick. He can slot in,” said the All Blacks coach.
Robertson also eluded to the fact that Erasmus often names players out of position, but didn’t name the South African mentor by name.
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“You have seen other guys do it. I won’t start naming names and comparing, because then it is a whole different storyline.”
Erasmus’ most recent example was using specialist inside centre Andre Esterhuizen as a flank in the Boks’ first hit-out of the year against the Barbarians, in what’s now known as a hybrid role.
The South African Director of Rugby also famously shifted flank Deon Fourie to hooker in the World Cup final against the All Blacks in 2023, when starting No 2 Bongi Mbonambi limped off just a few minutes into the showdown.
After copping criticism for being too conservative during last year’s end-of-season tour, Razor looks to be loosening the reins. Another bold call sees regular outside centre Rieko Ioane shifted to left wing for the clash with Les Bleus.
Following Saturday’s showdown, the series moves to Wellington (12 July) and Hamilton (19 July).
Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images
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