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20 February, 2026, 6:58 am
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20 February, 2026, 6:58 am Central - 24°C Clouds

Fans and pundits from New Zealand raising their eyebrows at the French squad

Fans and pundits from New Zealand raising their eyebrows at the French squad

By Mikaele Liga
03/07/2025

Both Scott Robertson and Fabien Galthié have named their squads for the upcoming series in New Zealand starting this weekend, with some fans and pundits from New Zealand raising their eyebrows at the French squad that is set to tour New Zealand for three weeks.

Former All Blacks have reacted to the French squad naming, criticizing the quality of the squad.

Former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall says it is disrespectful to bring such an inexperienced squad to New Zealand.

He says he is disappointed by the way the French have bought an average age of 25, and the average number of caps is 9.3.

Marshall says this side has a very small amount of experience, and then at the end of the day there’s 49% of the players have no caps at all, so it is a development team with a few senior players involved.

He says the French always seem to have come up with excuses to not bring their top players, and he feels they disrespect the international window.

Former All Black and current Sky Sports commentator Jeff Wilson agrees with Marshall and thinks it’s not going to help France in the long run.

Wilson says it is ridiculous that they can bring this team with an average of nine caps.

The All Blacks will face France this Saturday at 7.05 pm in Dunedin, NZ

[Source: Rugbypass]

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