Rugby World Cup: Who are the unlucky All Blacks in France?

Although the three key decision makers had already picked their 33-man squad for the World Cup, the trio would have been aware that injuries, suspensions and form slumps could contribute to selection migraines during the tournament.

If they didn't, they may as well have used a bazooka to blow up their luggage, hitched a ride to Calais and boarded a ferry to cross the English Channel to distance themselves from the high-pressure environment on the continent.

All Blacks coach Foster has not been in the job to make friends.

He arrived in France in the knowledge that NZ Rugby had already told him his services weren't wanted after the event, having already appointed Scott Robertson as his replacement.

Foster, in turn, made it clear that he didn't want Robertson anywhere near his squad during the campaign in a bid to minimise distractions. That included Robertson being instructed to not attend All Blacks' matches.

A laser-like focus was considered vital if the All Blacks were to win the Webb Ellis Cup, and the mission got off to a shaky start when they lost the first game to France in Paris on September 9.

Foster, having been involved in two World Cup campaigns when he assisted Sir Steve Hansen between 2012 and 2019, also knew that when he departed New Zealand that he couldn't please everyone in the group.

A coach's job is to make difficult decisions; players could expect to get a decent dose of tough love when Foster and his mates walked away from the selection table.

There were always going to be winners and losers. Here's a look at those players who may be on the outer.

Samisoni Taukei'aho

The hooker was used as a substitute in the World Cup opener against France, and started against Namibia in Toulouse a week later.

His output fell into the solid, rather than spectacular, category.

That was followed by him being left out of the side to play Italy in Lyon on Saturday morning (NZT), with Codie Taylor listed to start and Dane Coles on the bench.

The change in pecking order suggests Taukei'aho hasn't done enough in recent games to convince Foster that he's the right fit for the big occasions.

While the duo from the Horowhenua-Kapiti region are more experienced, each is playing in their third World Cup, it would be remiss not to reflect on the impact Taukei'aho has made on the All Blacks since he made his debut for the team against Fiji in July 2021.

When the All Blacks had painted themselves into a corner with three successive defeats ahead of the must-win game against the Springboks in Johannesburg last year, Taukei'aho was the starting hooker and scored one of his side's four tries. He was replaced by Taylor in the 55th minute.

Taukei'aho has also proved to be a reliable man to unload off the bench, capable of using his power and aggression to add zest to the attack. Whether he gets that chance in the future remains unclear.

Finlay Christie

The rise of Cam Roigard has been bad news for Christie.

Aaron Smith was always going to own the No 9 jersey for the must-win games, which forced Roigard and Christie into a race for a place in the reserves.

Roigard has proved he's the right man to back-up Smith, fair reward for his efforts for the All Blacks and Hurricanes this year.

Despite making only three test appearances, all of them this year and just one in the starter's jersey (against Namibia in Toulouse), Roigard offers more than Christie.

You can't question Christie's resolve or efforts in defence. But Roigard has the willingness to snipe around the edges of the rucks and mauls; he's a constant danger to the opposition, and can jet into fresh air at the blink of an eye to create precious line breaks.

Roigard snared a couple of tries early against Namibia. Confident and clear-headed, he's in the zone.

Christie, with 18 test caps, may get another crack when the All Blacks meet Uruguay in their final pool game, but is ranked as the third halfback.

Caleb Clarke

Fortunate to be picked in the 33-man squad, with many fans and punters believing in-form Chiefs player Shaun Stevenson was a better option to cover wing and fullback, Clarke appeared on the left wing against Namibia.

A specialist No 11, Clarke has been a slow burner for the All Blacks and Blues this season. It would be fair to say we haven’t seen the best of him in 2023.

Not required for the match against Italy, Clarke appears to have been placed in the spare parts category. Mark Telea and Leicester Fainga'anuku are better options in this position.

Leicester Fainga'anuku

He's made two appearances already, as a replacement against the French and in the No 11 jersey against Namibia.

There's no room for Fainga'anuku in the team to meet Italy, with Telea on the left wing and Will Jordan on right-hand side of the park. Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown are listed in the reserves at the expense of a specialist wing.

It's tough on Fainga'anuku, and the fans. Because he's an entertainer. Give him the pill, whether it be steaming in on an angle outside the first five-eighth or down the outside lane, and he can gobble up the metres.

Ethan Blackadder

Having been told that Blackadder had delivered a performance for Tasman against Manawatū in early September that was reminiscent of a giant bear feasting in a fish factory, the All Blacks selectors must have sat bolt upright and searched for footage of the game.

It didn't matter if you were at the ground, or watching on TV, you swallowed hard when Blackadder, playing at No 8, got the ball in hands during that match. It was impressive.

Omitted from the original squad because of injury concerns, Blackadder, who can cover all three back row positions, was recruited when wing Emoni Narawa had to withdraw because of injury.

Blackadder's versatility was the key to him getting an air ticket to France because of injuries to loose forwards Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell.

Having arrived ahead of the All Blacks' second game against Namibia in Toulouse, Blackadder still hasn't been sighted. He wasn't named in the team for the game against Italy.

Ethan de Groot

The loosehead prop must wish he could rewind the clock.

A dangerous tackle on Namibia's Adriaan ​Booysen ​resulted in de Groot being red carded and suspended for two games, subject to the completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme.

There could be few complaints about the suspension. De Groot, having taken the field as a replacement, should have done things better.

What makes this so frustrating is that the All Blacks were coasting to an easy win, and against lowly Namibia.

Anyway, he won't be sighted for the remainder of the pool games.

Emoni Narawa

Not sighted. An issue with a disc in his back forced the wing to depart without appearing in a game in France.