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All Blacks reclaim throne, Wallabies stun Lions: 10 bold predictions for 2025

Max Jorgensen of Australia celebrates scoring his team's fifth and winning try with teammates Tom Wright, Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott of Australia during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Time flies, doesn’t it? We’re more than halfway through January already. There’s been some Champions Cup early in the New Year which has delivered some fascinating results, and both the Super Rugby Pacific season and Six Nations are now mere weeks away.

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Make no mistake, 2025 will be another rugby year for the history books.

There’s the British and Irish Lions Series in Australia, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, and the HSBC SVNS Series will conclude with an unmissable World Championship event at Los Angeles’ Dignity Health Sports Park.

With so much to look forward to, it’s time to get excited about the rugby year ahead if you aren’t already.

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It’s not easy to predict what the next 12 months of rugby will look like but that hasn’t stopped this writer from trying for a third year in a row. There’s never been a better time to be a rugby union fan, and another big year in 2025 will prove that once again.

The All Blacks will reclaim their throne

The Springboks are the kings of men’s international rugby.

With back-to-back Rugby World Cup crowns from recent showpiece events in Japan and France, South Africa has confidently emerged as the best in the business right now, and that’s led some to debate whether they’re the greatest team of all time.

Rassie Erasmus has led the way as the mastermind behind the Springboks’ successes during this dynasty, with the rugby guru transcending what it meant to be the team’s Director of Rugby or otherwise the head coach.

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Erasmus now has an aura that goes above what it means to be a mere rugby mortal.

But it’s competitive at the top.

As seen in 2024, it’s not easy to remain the world’s top-ranked side for an entire calendar year, and it seems unlikely the Springboks will be able to hold onto their spot for the entirety of 2025. So, there will be a changing of the guard at the top of the rugby world.

The All Blacks will reclaim the throne.

When the international season draws to a close many months from now, the All Blacks will stand above the rest as the top side on World Rugby’s rankings. They will return to the No. 1 slot, which they had previously occupied for more than a decade.

There was cause for concern for the men in black last season, with the New Zealanders going a worryingly significant streak of Test matches without scoring any points in the final quarter of a contest. As seen in their two Tests in South Africa, that came to haunt them at times.

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But the Autumn Nations Series in 2024 should forever be looked at as the reawakening of a giant that was thought to have fallen. New Zealand held on for a tense win over England in Twickenham, stunned Ireland in Dublin, and almost knocked off France in Paris.

Yes, they lost four matches in 2024, but they’re better than that stat suggests and they will be even mightier moving forward. With youngsters like Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard and others pulling on the black jersey, the ABs will be tough to beat under Razor.

Fiji win Men’s HSBC SVNS Series

Fiji are clearly the best team in men’s rugby sevens.

Yes, South Africa’s Blitzboks took out the SVNS Cape Town title in December, but they’ve still got a lot to prove consistency-wise before they can be viewed as a genuine overall Series champion contender in 2024/25.

Instead, let’s talk about Fiji who put on a clinic en route to the Dubai Sevens title to open the season. They smashed defending League Winners Argentina before getting the better of Spain in the big dance at The Sevens Stadium.

New Zealand, Australia and Argentina have all been a bit too hot and cold at this stage, whereas Spain has been a welcomed surprise and is a dark horse for the title. There’s also defending Series champions France who have shown plenty of fight themselves.

But, when it’s all said and done and the full time whistle sounds at the World Championship in Los Angeles later this year, it’ll be the Fijians who stand tall as worthy winners. New Zealand will reach the same grand heights in the women’s game – avenging their heartbreak from Madrid last year.

Wallabies stun highly favoured Lions

Nobody gave the Wallabies a chance before the Autumn Nations Series.

Former England halfback Ben Youngs famously suggested the British & Irish Lions would be “better off” touring South Africa, rather than going Down Under to face Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies who finished last in last year’s Rugby Championship.

Australia had started their new era under coach Schmidt with two wins over Wales and another triumph over Georgia during the July window but the gap between them and their three southern hemisphere foe proved significant enough later in the year.

That led Youngs to say what he said.

But when Max Jorgensen flew down the left wing in the 84th minute to hand the Wallabies a stunning win over England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, the rugby world took notice. It was enough to attract newfound interest in the sport back home in Australia.

While the Wallabies are still regarded as strong underdogs months out from the upcoming Lions Series, they’ve shown enough fight and development under coach Schmidt to suggest they’re a chance of stunning their highly favoured opponents in one of the three Tests.

All the pressure and expectation rests on the Lions.

If the Wallabies can build a lead early in front of a sea of gold in the stands in any of the three Tests, then the win could very well be theirs. But it would be ambitious at this stage to suggest they’ll win the series, as Andy Farrell’s side should still be far too good for that.

The Wallabies will win a battle, but the Lions will win the war.

England avenge their Rugby World Cup heartbreak

There has never been an international team as dominant as England’s Red Roses. It wasn’t a surprise at all to see them take out the inaugural WXV 1 title in 2023, and the same can be said for their heroics last year as they repeated those heroics in Vancouver.

England sit in first place on World Rugby’s Women’s rankings with 97.56 points at the time of writing. There’s daylight between them and second-placed Canada who have 89.31 points to their name, and then New Zealand sit in third with 88.64.

But for all their dominance and success over a significant period of time, the English are still yet to become the reigning Women’s Rugby World Cup champions. The Red Roses haven’t tasted World Cup glory since taking out the 2014 World Cup with a 21-9 win over the Canadians.

They came close to ending the Black Ferns’ reign as the world champions three years ago in New Zealand, and despite going down to 14 women during that Final, they pulled up painfully short in an all-time epic World Cup decider.

It’ll be a different story this time around.

This year, on home soil, the Red Roses will have an opportunity to avenge their 2022 heartbreak with a Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil. Following the success of the last tournament in New Zealand, this will no doubt be another milestone event for women’s sport.

England are so clearly the favourites for the World Cup crown. With reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne amongst their ranks, as well as other genuine superstars, it’ll take a lot to stop the Red Roses on home soil.

Wallaroos will turn heads at Women’s Rugby World Cup

Michaela Leonard is the first Wallaroos captain in history to lead the team to a major piece of silverware. With Australia winning all three of their matches at WXV 2 last year, they were crowned champions after an enthralling event in Cape Town.

Under coach Jo Yapp, the women in gold already showed tremendous signs of improvement – and they’ve got some world-class reinforcements on the way to shake up international rugby even further.

Nine members of Australia’s sevens side have committed to Super Rugby Women’s sides in a bid to play for the Wallaroos at the showpiece event in England. Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser and Khali Henwood have all signed for the Queensland Reds.

Demi Hayes, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds have all linked with the ACT Brumbies, while Sariah Paki is the sole member of the sevens side who have penned a deal with the NSW Waratahs. It was a significant announcement made by Rugby Australia late last year.

It remains to be seen, of course, who is good enough to make the Wallaroos squad – with many of these sevens players yet to play any 15s rugby in their lives – but there’s also no doubt they can have a significant impact if any of the nine can get things right.

If the Wallaroos click in 2025 then there’s every chance they could shock a team or two at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. On paper, they have a side that’s good enough to make it out of their pool and they could very well go further than that.

They’ll make the semis.

Five rapid predictions

Jordie Barrett will inspire Leinster’s run to Champions Cup glory: Jordie Barrett has been sensational since debuting for Leinster late last year. The All Black has helped a squad of world-class players rise to a new level. This Leinster side is finally good enough to push on for their highly sought-after Champions Cup title.

Katelyn Vahaakolo is the next Ilona Maher: Katelyn Vahaakolo is a try-scoring machine for New Zealand who is also a highly entertaining character off the field. With more than 350,000 followers and 32.8 million likes on TikTok, Vahaakolo could join Ilona Maher as one of the sport’s most recognisable stars thanks to social media and on-field stardom.

Michael Hooper will face Lions: Four-time John Eales Medallist Michael Hooper is again an active rugby player. The former Wallabies captain is off to Japan after penning a deal with Toyota Verblitz – joining a star-studded cast at the club that includes Rugby World Cup winning All Black Aaron Smith and former NRL flyer Joseph Manu. Hooper wasn’t able to have the fairytale finish at the Rugby World Cup or Olympics, but the AUNZ XV fixture against the British and Irish Lions now firms as a realistic sendoff for the all-time Wallaby great.

Waratahs surge up Super Rugby ladder: With an injury crisis affecting the squad, the Waratahs sat in last place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder when the 2024 season came to a close. But with Dan McKellar signing on as the team’s new head coach, and some Wallabies moving to Sydney, the Waratahs will be a lot better this season. The Tahs should be good enough to make the playoffs – same with the Crusaders – and don’t be surprised if the New South Welshman make the semis.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wins John Eales Medal: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set the tone on debut for the Wallabies with a Player of the Match performance in a thrilling win over England in November. The midfielder has an incredible attacking skillet and boasts brick wall-like defence. If the Wallabies are to turn heads in 2025 then Rugby Australia’s marquee recruit needs to lead the way – Suaalii will be named the Wallabies’ best player (John Eales Medal) towards the end of the international season.


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Comments

73 Comments
N
NE 16 days ago

Higher, son. Jump higher. Try harder.

B
Bull Shark 17 days ago

I remember when I had my first beer…


The All Blacks one is funny because that was last years prediction. And I thought then that it would be silly to expect the ABs to win more than 70% because razor had to bleed some new talent.


Which he didn’t do…


So it’s 70% (or less) again this year I’m afraid. As it’s been for 6 of the past 7 years.


I agree re: the wallabies. I think they can definitely spring an upset against the Lions.

F
Fair Play 18 days ago

Reading through the article, I can sum it up in three words; amateurish wishful thinking. Those three words can each be defined. In wishful thinking there is only wishes and no thinking.

In amateurish you'll be drawn down to a level that it's not worth commenting any further.

J
Jen 16 days ago

Not liking or agreeing with the predictions doesn't make them amateurish. None or all of the things listed are possible.

m
mJ 18 days ago

Maddison Levi could well be the player of the women’s World Cup. She’s some talent.

G
GG 18 days ago

What is becoming obvious is that to win WC and other top tournaments is going to require something special. Rassie will need to keep evolving and hopefully identifying and bringing in generational talent to be able to challenge the French, Irish and ABs. Proper pack of forwards and special guys out wide like Kolbe and Kurt Lee. World rugby is very healthy and to win the big games is going to take something special. Being honest I think the French have a special side and could win next WC but to win 7 games away from Paris is going to be difficult as they struggle away from home crowds and home comforts. Predict ABs to win next WC

J
JD Kiwi 18 days ago

Dupont generation should be peaking around 2027... This is their big opportunity but will they be nobbled by the ten month soap opera?

N
NE 18 days ago

SA's dismal showing in the Champions Cup is due to the lack of protection from match officials that has seen them appear competitive for the past three decades. Their physical inferiority, lack of attacking flair, weak defence and poor leadership have been minimized due to WR/IRB's desperate need to present themselves aa a global sports governing body. The Champions Cup leveled the playing field with regards to officiating and the result was always going to show SA up as a mediocre at best rugby nation. The All Blacks will thump SA in both RC games.

N
Naainul 17 days ago

Nobody believes you naaigel. Nobody takes you seriously. Everybody thinks that you're a joke and they're right.

G
GG 18 days ago

Didn’t want to respond to this clickbait, but what the heck. Saffa sides have found Champions Cup a bridge too far. The French sides are basically international sides with teams being able to identify and contract top players from around the world to broaden base and give huge depth. We just cannot afford that and trying to juggle URC as well as CC is tough. But to say the crap I read here is really childish. But the world has all types.

P
PR 18 days ago

"Physical inferiority" - so it's the referees making Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman look bigger than they really are. Fascinating.

N
NR 18 days ago

Well, my predictions for 2025

1. Springboks will end Eden Park record.

2. Lions will white wash the series against Australia.

3. Leinster wins Champions Cup against Bordeaux.

4. France Grand Slam Six nations

5. Regards to coaches, Eddie Jones remains Japan coach(this was a tough one to predict)

c
cw 17 days ago

Boks will lose at Eden Park just like everyone else has for last 20 years. SA are good, but they have had the benefit of two back to back seasons playing a new ABs outfit at their home and had good continuity. The script will flipped this year. ABs at home and a full season under their

A
AS 18 days ago

Lol, and they call South Africans arrogant.

W
Westy 18 days ago

This reads more like a “wish list” than a forecast - a forecast requires a basis for the outcome - a wish list is just that.


I had a look at a the author’s wish list for 2024 - the themes are the same:

1. Wallabies to lose first test in 2024 to Wales - did not happen.

2. Springboks to fall from grace in 2024 after getting lucky in the RWC final & AB’s to rise to #1 - did not happen.

3. Scott Barrett appointed to be AB captain - wish granted.

4. Steven Larkham to be appointed Walkabies coach - Nah.

5. Wallabies to shock the All Blacks in Sydney Bledisloe Cup Test - Nah

6. Michael Hooper to join Wallabies for end-of-season tour - Nah

7. Marcus Smith to thrive in Owen Farrell’s absence- Nah

O
Oh no, not him again? 18 days ago

Fun post and I agree with most of it. I think Marcus Smith came of age in November though.

P
PR 18 days ago

Wow, his crystal ball must have a crack in it...

P
PR 18 days ago

Not exactly bold to predict NZ becoming number 1 and Fiji winning the Sevens title. The RC schedule favours the All Blacks this year (as it favoured the Boks in 2024) and with the top four so close there's every chance the number 1 ranking will chop and change not just this year but the next few years. I do think:


* The streak will go. ABs will be favourites for sure playing at home but games against the Boks have pretty much been 50/50 over the last few years and the AB goal kickers have shown the propensity to choke when it comes to the big moments. With all the pressure on the home side it will be interesting to see how this developing side cope mentally. Will also depend on whether Rassie will continue experimenting with his side, but I doubt he will. This is THE game for the Boks this year.

* Lions will win series 3-0 in the most one-sided tour in history. Wallabies have shown great improvement but just don't have the forward power to match what's coming their way. Farrell will have one of the most powerful Lions squads of all time and is a fantastic coach so I can see this going quite badly wrong for Australia.

* Toulouse will win the Champions Cup. Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman have made Leinster even better but Toulouse are insanely good.

* France will win a Test in NZ. I think they will rest a handful of stars but the touring squad will still be a strong one. The All Blacks will no doubt be rusty and France will be battle hardened so might just sneak the first Test before being blown away in the second.

G
GH 18 days ago

One of the reasons for the games being 50-50 against the Boks is that they have only played once in Nz in the last 10 tests between the two countries.


I predict 2-0 to NZ with st least one comfortable win

T
Tash 19 days ago

All Blacks ain't getting that no 1 spot this year and not any time soon either

J
Jen 16 days ago

We'll see.

M
Mitch 19 days ago

No 2 in the world becoming no 1 by the end of the year isn't exactly bold. It's realistic not bold in my eyes.


My bold predictions: South Africa win twice in New Zealand and 2 Australian sides make the Super Rugby semi finals.

O
OJohn 18 days ago

Ireland are number 2 at the moment. NZ are 3 and were relatively recently beaten by France ranked 4. So NZ are 4th really.

m
mc 19 days ago

Saffas arnt winning at Eden Park

You read it here first

D
DV 19 days ago

With SA teams ( not doing well at all) in the champions cup I've been watching a lot of European rugby and the standard is very high. The French teams are dominant with only Leinster a possible hurdle for them. As much as OZ has improved I don't see them getting past the Lions and if the French ever send their top players on tours they have a very good chance to end the year #1.

A
AS 18 days ago

Most CC games featuring Saffa sides, gave not been full strength squads due to either injury absence or Bok resting requirements. Also some of our coaches are not the best, RE turns ok players into great players, also it seems the Bok team ethos is a big part of how well they have been doing. But then again only time will tell.

P
PR 18 days ago

I agree. The French clubs sides have insane depth. Toulouse have the likes of Capuozzo and Mallia playing off the bench! Apart from Leinster there is no club outside France that can compete with them. I mean, they scored 80 points against a good Leicester side and left a few tries out there.


While the SA teams have done badly this year, they really are no better or worse than most of the chasing pack in the Champions Cup. Overall SA's stint in the northern hemisphere has been pretty good. SA sides have beaten every other team in the URC (including Leinster in Dublin); have been in every URC final (winning the first one); have given the likes of Stade, Exeter and Sale proper hidings in the Champions Cup, while Sharks won the Challenge Cup.


What is clear is that the Champions Cup is a competition too far for SA at the moment, which is why the Sharks, Bulls and Stormers have frequently fielded weakened sides. Player management has to happen somewhere and they have decided to do this in a comp they have no chance of winning.

I
Icefarrow 19 days ago

Jordie Barrett has been sensational since debuting for Leinster late last year.

He was at first, not lately. Feel like the constant changing between 12 & 15 is becoming detrimental to his performance.

G
GG 18 days ago

Agree in a way, but he is doing plenty of the dirty work for Leinster- manning up on defense and allowing others to play off him. This experience for him is huge and long term is going to help his game and the ABs. Clever short term deal which is going to really help his rugger.

G
GM 19 days ago

Must have missed the Crusaders prediction from Finn. 😂

J
JW 19 days ago

Did he mention anything for SR?!

G
GP 19 days ago

I like the fact the author has been brave, see how he goes. I think the Crusaders bounce back big time. I think Ethan Blackadder will have a great season and will be back in the AB's. Guys like Dominic Gardiner and Corey Kellow to step up big time. The team will rally behind David Havili. Codie Taylor and others offering great support

S
SC 18 days ago

The Crusaders success all depends on whether O'Connor, Reihana, or Kemara step up and perform at test level standard at 10.


Whether it was Mehrtens, Carter, or Mounga, every single one of the Crusaders Super Rugby championships were driven by a test quality 10.

C
Cantab 19 days ago

I hope you are right. The Crusaders certainly have the roster this year to succeed so long as injuries don't derail them again. Always a worry with the likes of injury prone Blackadder to name just one.

A
Andrew Nichols 19 days ago

I reckon you must be the most loyal rednblack fan Ive ever met.

U
Utiku Old Boy 19 days ago

Bold. As advertised.

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