The four All Blacks at risk of not making the cut in 2026

As Super Rugby Pacific veers towards the business end of the competition, a number of uncapped rookies have put their hands up to be selected.

Inevitably, there will be new squad members, meaning there will be incumbents under pressure to retain their places when the 34-player squad is announced for the Nations Championship.

With a whole new regime coming in with a new selection staff, including former coach Graham Henry, there is probably more pressure than before on those who are yet to be established All Blacks.

Here are the candidates under the most pressure to retain their black jersey in 2026.

Leroy Carter (Chiefs)

The Chiefs wing and All Blacks Sevens flyer enjoyed a breakout 2025 season in his first year of Super Rugby Pacific. He formed a prolific wing combination with Emoni Narawa for the Chiefs, with both rewarded with All Blacks starts.

Carter reached the top five in statistical categories for tries, defenders beaten, and top 10 in metres carried as he was arguably the form wing in the competition. That form led to an All Black selection, where he started on debut in Wellington against the Springboks. He scored a try and played well as an individual on a horror night for the All Blacks.

In 2026 Carter has been a jigsaw piece for the Chiefs of sorts, moving to 13 to cover the midfield for two games and switching from the left to right wing frequently. He’s bagged four tries while coming up with five try assists. It hasn’t been a bad year by any means, but the wing position has become hypercompetitive.

In the 34-player squad, you’d expect five outside backs selected. The Highlanders’ Caleb Tangitau is the form winger in the competition and surely will be picked. The return of Leicester Fainga’anuku also complicates Carter’s position. Rennie has indicated he sees Fainga’anuku as a wing who can play in the loose forwards, and that versatility adds weight to his inclusion. Will Jordan covers fullback and the right wing. Caleb Clarke is back to some of his best form.

Fehi Fineangonofo is still eligible this year, despite having a deal offshore for 2027. History says they won’t pick him, but maybe they decide to intentionally cap him to convince him to come back, given he is just 23.

It’s crowded out wide, and as the incumbent, Carter is under pressure to retain his place even with Sevu Reece departing.

Simon Parker (Chiefs)

A bolter pick last season, the 25-year-old filled the problematic blindside role for the All Blacks, winning selection over Chiefs teammate Samipeni Finau.

He was rewarded with a new three-year deal by NZR, but Parker is already under pressure to retain his place in the loose forwards. When names are tossed up for in-form loose forwards in 2026, Parker’s has been absent.

In his favour is that Hurricanes blindside flanker Devan Flanders is headed overseas, a man tipped to be a bolter this year. Peter Lakai and Du’Plessis Kirifi are still vying for selection, while ex-Hurricane Ardie Savea is a sure selection.

Blues duo Hoskins Sotutu and Dalton Papalii are headed overseas, and while neither was in the mix last year, the new coaches may have opened the door for Papalii to return had he not broken his jaw. Also at the Blues, support for Anton Segner is gaining traction, while wildcard picks are Torian Barnes and Malachi Wrampling-Alec.

The Crusaders, who had no selections in the loose forwards on the end-of-year tour in 2025, have at least two who can play blindside.

One of the form No.6s in New Zealand is Ethan Blackadder, who brings more versatility than Parker. Young Dom Gardiner is also a standout who is increasing his chances as a bolter lately.

Between Segner, Blackadder and Gardiner, Parker could get squeezed.

Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

Centre is the problematic position for the All Blacks with no real locked-in candidate. Proctor is a good selection and deserving on his attacking form, but he has flaws that have been exposed a lot in defence this season.

At international level he cannot keep making reads in defence that see his channel breached. If it happens at Super Rugby level often, it will happen in Test matches.

The All Blacks shouldn’t give up on Proctor yet, but the fact that Quinn Tupaea was moved to 13 last year and excelled is a bad sign for him. Tupaea is a genuine option for 13 again.

As previously detailed, the best option for the All Blacks is returning Blues centre Rieko Ioane from Leinster.

The Barrett-Ioane midfield has proven to be successful and was dismantled by Robertson without cause in 2025. With a change in coaching staff, Ioane could be back in the 13 jersey.

The dark horse is veteran All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, who is currently playing under Rennie on sabbatical at the table-topping Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan. This gives Lienert-Brown an advantage, having also played for many years under Rennie at the Chiefs. He’s got the runs on the board, has all the experience, and is currently doing a job for the coach.

Proctor should still be in the mix, but he could be the third-string centre on the depth chart in 2026.

Finlay Christie (Blues)

Christie was a hero at Eden Park last year against the Springboks in what was his finest performance in the black jersey. But it cannot be denied that the Blues’ halfback was already battling to retain his place last year.

Injuries to Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham saw Christie called up frequently, along with debutant Kyle Preston from the Crusaders, as the All Blacks battled a crisis in the No.9 jersey.

Hotham is back in form for the Crusaders and arguably the No.2 option on form behind Cam Roigard. With Cortez Ratima another young option with more dynamism, Christie may get squeezed (until injury strikes again).

While Xavier Roe has put Ratima on the bench for the Chiefs, Sam Nock is also getting more starts for the Blues, forcing Christie to a bench role.

The smokey pick is Adam Lennox of the Highlanders, who has pushed two-cap All Black Folau Fakatava to the bench. Lennox has pace and a great running game, which adds an extra dimension.

There is a lot of pressure on Christie to force his way in as one of the three All Black halfbacks.