All Blacks 2025: The key changes Scott Robertson must consider as season two nears

NZ Herald

01-05-2025

The All Blacks have many versatile fullback options – from Beauden Barrett to Damian McKenzie, Stephen Perofeta and Ruben Love. None, though, rival Jordan. 14. Mark Tele'a
Status: Leaving
With Mark Tele'a cashing in his chips, having signed a three-year contract that will double his salary in Japan from the end of this year, the All Blacks are likely to move to the next in line. They should always select the best available players but so, too, must they plan for and invest in the future. With others knocking on the door, Tele'a may have played his last test.
Sevu Reece will be favoured to be handed first crack at replacing Tele'a on the right edge, but Crusaders teammate Chay Fihaki – after a surprising call-up as injury cover late last year – is also in the frame. Chiefs wing Emoni Narawa has hit form at the right time, too, and could yet force his way in. Sevu Reece is a front-runner for a starting spot with the All Blacks this season. Photo / Photosport 13. Rieko Ioane
Status: Under pressure
Rieko Ioane's form reflects the Blues' struggles. His lack of attacking impact isn't helped by the Blues' limited game plan, but more is expected in Super Rugby of a player who is now an All Blacks veteran.
His defensive presence is widely underrated – he has matured into one of the world's best backline defenders – and he has proven his ability to perform for the All Blacks. His standout effort against Ireland in Dublin last year is case in point. Others, though, are applying serious heat.
Rival contenders:
With Anton Lienert-Brown sidelined for the next two months with a broken collarbone, the All Blacks must hand Billy Proctor vastly more game time this season.
Failing to use Proctor during the Rugby Championship ranks as one of the All Blacks' biggest oversights of 2024. Super Rugby's form centre largely sat idle, playing two tests against Fiji and Japan, before returning home from the northern tour for the birth of his first child.
Proctor's attacking threat has improved immensely in recent years, which is now highlighted by his ability to find and create space for others. He is New Zealand's best distributing centre – and, at 25, is entering the prime of his career. All he needs now is a chance to showcase that talent on the test scene. 12. Jordie Barrett
Status: Running hot
The Irish are astute observers of rugby's nuances. It therefore speaks volumes that they are enamoured with Jordie Barrett's six-month stint with Leinster.
His time in Ireland has exposed him to different experiences, styles and atmospheres that he will seek to bring home to the All Blacks in July. He's eligible to walk straight back into the No 12 jersey and, while he may need to be managed this year, New Zealand Rugby's high-performance arm is confident he can do exactly that. The All Blacks' Barrett brothers (from left): Jordie, Scott and Beauden Barrett. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Rival contenders:
Lienert-Brown's injury potentially opens the door for a head-to-head battle between Quinn Tupaea and David Havili to push Barrett for a starting spot. Both are in form, too. Tupaea is delivering his best season for the Chiefs since his last test four years ago. He has regained confidence in his body, with his ball-carrying strength and ability over the ball to gain turnovers offering a compelling point of difference. After two years battling back from a knee reconstruction, Tupaea is sending a statement that he wants a recall. Havili is relishing the added responsibility of assuming the Crusaders captaincy – and has experience on his side. 11. Caleb Clarke
Status: Injured
Despite lacking opportunities amid the Blues' disintegration, Caleb Clarke has impressed at times this season. After four years of largely sitting on the fringe of the All Blacks' starting squad, he nailed down the left wing last year. While his defensive duties remain a work-on, his quality under the high ball – an asset often utilised when attacking restarts – and power with ball in hand are highly desirable.
Clarke has missed the past three Blues games with a minor thigh injury, but should return in the coming weeks and push to reassert his incumbent status.
Rival contenders:
Sevu Reece can play on both sides but, in terms of another out-and-out power wing, Kini Naholo is the closest comparison. After a quiet season for the Hurricanes, Naholo burst into life with a destructive performance against the Brumbies in Canberra (no surprise that came alongside Proctor's starting return). But with Leicester Fainga'anuku expected to be eligible from the Rugby Championship, Naholo must now maintain that form. At this stage, it's likely too soon for the likes of emerging finishers Caleb Tangitau and Macca Springer. 10. Beauden Barrett
Status: In form
Ensconced in his preferred playmaking position, Beauden Barrett has struck a purple patch of form. His absence with a broken hand hurt the Blues as they battled to two losses without him at No 10.
Barrett is relishing his evergreen status and consistency at first five-eighths, with his variety of kicking coming to the fore. With Richie Mo'unga out of the picture until next year, Scott Robertson will almost certainly entrust Barrett with the reins in July after he finished last year as the All Blacks' preferred game driver.
Rival contenders:
Damian McKenzie has time to state his case yet, with the Chiefs strong contenders to claim the Super Rugby Pacific title. Leading the Chiefs to their first championship in 12 years would enhance his claims, but even that might not be enough to sway Robertson, who lost faith after McKenzie started the first seven tests last year.
While McKenzie guided the All Blacks to their best victory of the season by ending Ireland's 19-match unbeaten run in Dublin, by the end of the year there was no doubt Robertson preferred Barrett.
Elsewhere, options are limited, with Stephen Perofeta's season hampered by a calf complaint, Harry Plummer departing to France and Josh Jacomb having limited opportunities with the Chiefs. 9. Cam Roigard
Status: Commanding
Everyone knows Cam Roigard's prodigious talent. He reinforced that when he upstaged Antoine Dupont, widely dubbed the world's best player, in Paris last year with a superb performance in the All Blacks' one-point loss to France.
Roigard started this season slowly, in a struggling Hurricanes team, but like many of his All Blacks counterparts, he appears to be timing his run for the test season to perfection. His influence from the base, booming left foot and sniping runs are increasingly prominent. Consistency remains Roigard's challenge but, as he matures, he could emerge as the world's leading halfback.
Rival contenders:
New Zealand are blessed with quality youth at halfback. No one was ever going to replace Aaron Smith but, with Roigard leading the way, Cortez Ratima building to his best with the Chiefs, Noah Hotham stamping his mark at the Crusaders and Kyle Preston (who can kick off both feet) signalling his talent, the depth chart is in hearty health. 8. Ardie Savea
Status: Never better
Just when you thought Savea had reached peak performance, his inspirational presence rises to another level. He is largely a lead-through-actions character and, in that regard, he has demanded everyone at Moana Pasifika follow in his slipstream this season.
Respect is hard-earned, easily lost, but Savea continues to set the highest of standards and inspire others to embody his excellence.
He has been a permanent fixture at the back of the All Blacks' scrum but could easily switch to openside this year. Of all the positional possibilities, the loose forward mix holds the most intrigue. Whether he's at eight or seven, Savea starts every headline test. Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea sets the highest standards. Photo / Photosport
Rival contenders:
Christian Lio-Willie is the big mover for the Crusaders but, with a stacked loose forward blend that includes Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson, Hurricanes No 8 Peter Lakai and the Blues' Hoskins Sotutu sitting on the fringe, it's incredibly difficult to break in. 7. Sam Cane
Status: Departed
Cane's exit to Japan leaves the openside jersey up for grabs. The All Blacks could shift Savea to seven – as they did against France in Paris last year – to allow Sotutu to start in his favoured position at the boot of the scrum, where his running game is best harnessed. Or, they could promote Du'Plessis Kirifi.
Super Rugby form must count for something. Kirifi, with his relentless workrate, breakdown strength and leadership, has been the standout openside this season. While his attacking game can improve and his size on the test scene remains a question mark, he's earned a chance to prove he can thrive for the All Blacks.
Rival contenders:
Other than Savea, Dalton Papali'i and Ethan Blackadder are Kirifi's main rivals. Such is the loose forward versatility, Jacobson and Lakai are also capable of slotting in at openside. Either side of his ankle injury, Papali'i regained form for the Blues, and Blackadder, despite his consistent injury setbacks, is highly regarded within the All Blacks. Both, though, will be anxiously looking over their shoulder at Kirifi. 6. Wallace Sititi
Status: Back with a bang
Last year's world breakthrough and New Zealand rugby player of the year has reminded everyone what we'd missed. In his first match for the Chiefs this season, after a rapid recovery from knee surgery, Wallace Sititi emerged off the bench for a captivating nine-minute burst that suggested he will not miss a beat.
The 22-year-old is the best talent – and most physically gifted athlete – that New Zealand rugby boasts. No matter where he starts for the All Blacks, Sititi is a weapon.
Rival contenders:
Samipeni Finau, Jacobson, Blackadder and potentially Shannon Frizell, should he return home later this year. The balance of Robertson's loose forwards will determine who plays blindside. There are any number of combinations but, if Sititi shifts to No 8, that would leave Finau, Jacobson and Blackadder contesting the six jersey. 5. Tupou Vaa'i
Status: Warming into his work
With Scott Barrett battling injury setbacks in his first year as national captain, Tupou Vaa'i emerged as a rock at lock to deliver his best test season in 2024 and finish as one of the All Blacks' elite performers. He hasn't consistently produced that standard for the Chiefs this year but, with proven locking stocks a source of concern, he remains an integral, long-term figure.
Rival contenders:
Patrick Tuipulotu summoned several beast-mode contributions off the bench for the All Blacks last year. His impact, composure and experience are likely to be used in that capacity again. Behind the Blues captain, Josh Lord – provided he remains injury-free for the Chiefs – and Netherlands-born Highlanders lock Fabian Holland will contest the fourth spot, with Sam Darry sidelined with a shoulder issue. 4. Scott Barrett
Status: On the up
Scott Barrett has excelled in the past three weeks since acknowledging his form wasn't where it needed to be. He laid on two tries in the Crusaders' victory against the Hurricanes in Wellington and snaffled several lineout steals too. In the next two outings, as the Crusaders maintained their momentum against the Blues and Highlanders, Barrett featured near the top of the tackle counts to underline his workrate. His sluggish start to the year seems to be behind him.
Rival contenders:
As All Blacks captain, Barrett is the first name etched on the team sheet. Scott Barrett is the first name on Scott Robertson's teamsheet. Photo / Photosport 3. Tyrel Lomax
Status: Class
It's been a largely frustrating, stop-start season for Tyrel Lomax at the Hurricanes. Multiple injuries and niggles have restricted his game time but, as one of the world's leading tighthead props, the All Blacks won't mind having him on ice. His strength stretches well beyond his scrummaging value – his mobility and ball skills for a big man are impressive too.
Rival contenders:
Fletcher Newell is in formidable form for the Crusaders, but he lacks Lomax's all-round skills. Pasilio Tosi, last year's All Blacks bolter selected from the Super Rugby Pacific bench, couldn't make the Hurricanes squad earlier this season but has since enjoyed more game time. 2. Codie Taylor
Status: Fine wine
Codie Taylor wears the mantle passed on by predecessors Keven Mealamu and Dane Coles of maintaining influence with age. He turned 34 in March yet he shows no signs of souring. In fact, at this point, the gap between him and Asafo Aumua and Samisoni Taukei'aho is growing. While the All Blacks have depth at hooker, Taylor's consistent all-round game sets him apart. Codie Taylor, on the burst against England on last year's end-of-season tour, shows no signs of ageing. Photo / Photosport
Rival contenders:
Taukei'aho's return – after missing all last year with a ruptured Achilles – significantly bolsters the hooking ranks with his destructive ball carrying and accurate lineout throwing notable injections. Aumua stepped up in a big way for the All Blacks in Taylor's absence last year but is yet to kick on with the Hurricanes. Behind those three-pronged hookers, Taylor's Crusaders deputy, Ioane Moananu, has stolen the march on the injured George Bell with a series of eye-catching performances. 1. Tamaiti Williams
Status: Domineering
Tamaiti Williams came of age for the All Blacks last year to surge past Ethan de Groot as the starting loosehead. Another in the mould of modern all-court prop, Williams can do it all. He's a big, powerful unit with deft feet and soft hands, which helps create time and space for playmakers on the frequent back-door plays. Such is Williams' standing, there's a growing distance between him and others. And at 24, he is yet to enter his propping prime.
Rival contenders:
Highlander de Groot remains a quality scrummaging asset but, after falling down the pecking order last year, he's on notice to improve his skills and workrate. With Ofa Tu'ungafasi expected to miss most of this year after neck surgery, Xavier Numia and Ollie Norris, both of whom fit the desired brief to deliver impact around the park, are next in line.
Liam Napier is a senior sports journalist and rugby correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.