Rugby: Jack Goodhue makes All Blacks squad for France series

Jack Goodhue is all smiles after being selected for the All Blacks ahead of their test series against France. Photo / Photosport

Kawakawa's Jack Goodhue is in line for an All Blacks test debut after being selected for the squad to take on France in June.

The midfielder has been a strong presence in the Crusaders' backline and was one of five midfielders selected for the French series.

Goodhue was elated to be selected again.

"Coming into my second year of Super Rugby you start to almost doubt whether you can keep this level going or are people going to work out I'm a fraud and aren't up to this level?" he said, with a wry smile on his face.

"To play some good footy and make this team means a lot. It takes a lot of hard work to get to this level, everyone does that.

"So I've been doing that and working to get better every day."

Joining Goodhue is Crusaders teammate Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape and Anton Lienert-Brown as the midfield puzzle seems as clustered as it has ever been.

Add to that the likes of uncapped trio Matt Proctor, Vince Aso and Rob Thompson as well as the versatility of Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett and there is a true battle for positions as the 2019 Rugby World Cup looms.

Goodhue has done his chances going forward no disservice after another industrious display against the Blues during their 32-24 win.

All Blacks selector Grant Fox said the French series will be a great chance to test their midfield options as they look to narrow down their selections in future.

"There are some guys, Sonny and Ryan, who are very experienced and played a lot of minutes for us and we have some young talent and that is going to get competitive because, soon enough in the future with a big tournament, five might not go into four," he said.

"So we need to find a lot more about these guys and test-drive them a bit more. If we understand them we can grow them.

"We are lucky we have some talent in this area as we have in the back three. There are some other areas that are a bit more challenging – in the loose forwards we are trying to find out a little bit more about what we have actually got."

The series could see Goodhue make his test debut after making his inaugural appearance for the All Blacks in a mid-week fixture against the French Barbarians.

His performance in that match proved he could foot it in the black jersey despite a yellow card.

Meanwhile, three new faces are the talk of the town heading into the June internationals.

Halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and loose forwards Jordan Taufua and Shannon Frizell joined the side as coach Steve Hansen looks to find adequate back-ups in positions lacking the depth of the midfield and outside backs.

Tahuriorangi and Frizell have catapulted themselves into the side after strong campaigns for the Chiefs and Highlanders respectively, while Taufua has been a model of consistency for the Crusaders over the past few years.

Meanwhile Ben Lam was considered unlucky to miss out on the squad as the All Blacks went with just five outside backs: vice-captain Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane.

The first test is on June 9 at Eden Park.

All Blacks squad:

Backs: Ben Smith (vc), Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.

Forwards: Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, Jordan Taufua, Sam Cane (vc), Vaea Fifita, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock (c), Owen Franks, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Tim Perry, Joe Moody, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor.