All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson is set to provide opportunities to several of his wider squad when they face the FIJI Water Flying Fijians in San Diego this weekend.
Robertson only made one forced change to his starting lineup between the first and second matches against England, replacing the injured halfback TJ Perenara with Finlay Christie.
As a result, Cortez Ratima came onto the bench and made his debut in Saturday night’s 24-17 second test win in Auckland. Others are in line to join him in the United States.
“This game against Fiji is an opportunity for us. We’ve got a great squad, with depth and some excellent young talent,” Robertson told reporters.
“It’s their chance, before we head into the Rugby Championship, to prove they belong here,” he added.
Hooker George Bell, prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Wallace Sititi, and center Billy Proctor are the four other uncapped players included in Robertson’s 32-man squad to face England and Fiji, all hoping for debuts in San Diego.
Prop Tamaiti Williams, flanker Ethan Blackadder, and wingers Caleb Clarke and Emoni Narawa are yet to be involved, with Robertson indicating a few tweaks to the traveling squad to allow first-choice players to rest.
The All Blacks last played Fiji in a series of tests in July 2021, winning the first 57-23 in Dunedin and the second 60-13 in Hamilton.
The Flying Fijians vs. the All Blacks kicks off at 2:30 PM this Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.