All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

The All Blacks fielded five debutants and left three players on the sidelines to start the inaugural Nations Championship, emerging with a three-from-three record to begin Dave Rennie’s time at the helm.

It was a July Test window that birthed a renewed optimism in the team ahead of a historic four-Test series against the Springboks next month and a Rugby World Cup next year. Kyle Preston, Simon Parker and Beauden Barrett all contributed on the training pitch but not on the playing field, so can only hope their efforts during the weeks have kept them in the frame moving forward.

That World Cup looms large for all players, with the impending returns of a handful of injured stars only set to further intensify the selection race ahead of next October. Here is how we rated all 32 All Blacks who were involved in the July campaign.

Loosehead Props

Ethan De Groot – 8.5
The All Blacks’ scrum enjoyed a 100 per cent success rate against both France and Ireland, with that figure dropping to 86 per cent against Italy. De Groot was the only prop to start all three games, having a big hand in that success, as was illustrated by his French opposite, Demba Bamba, getting penalised four times in Christchurch. There were some spectacular touches from the big man too, with quick hands deployed to contribute to his team’s attack and 15 bruising, productive carries.

George Bower – 6.5
Just one appearance off the bench against Italy and showed good hands, made his tackles and contributed one notable charge through contact. Got penalised for going early at scrum time and was guilty of a knock-on.

Xavier Numia – 7.5
The debutant brought his imposing physicality to the Test arena across two bench appearances, providing a real spark in his 31 minutes against Ireland. Numia’s side of the scrum looked stronger in Christchurch, without much of an opportunity to perform that role in his few Auckland minutes.

Hookers

Asafo Aumua – 8.5
Back in black and in bruising form, Aumua added some real spice off the bench for New Zealand this July. He ran through Josh van der Flier on a couple of occasions in Auckland and scored by powering through the contact of big Joe McCarthy close to the line. Aumua’s lineout throwing, the biggest weakness in his career to date, has also been on point to begin the international season.

Codie Taylor – 7.5
The kaea (leader) of the All Blacks’ haka, Taylor began his 12th season in black as New Zealand’s preferred starter once again, but has some competition from his younger teammates. It was a mixed July for Taylor, who was penalised his fair share of times but was an absolute workhorse around the park, with rugged defence and breakdown work. He set a good tone through his actions, but also looked to get a little caught up in trying to make an impact in Wellington, missing a bit of the composure we’re used to seeing from the 35-year-old.

Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7.5
Taukei’aho has enjoyed playing the Robin to Taylor’s Batman in recent seasons, but only appeared once in July. The Chiefs hooker was a bull with the ball in hand against Italy, charging forward through contact with all nine of his carries. Had one lineout throw picked off.

Tighthead Props

Tyrel Lomax – 6
Lomax was still making his way back from injury when the Nations Championship kicked off, and showed signs of rust. The prop made 16 tackles and missed six, but had his way with the odd scrappy carry against Italy. His scrummaging was solid, but he again struggled to build meaningful momentum with another minor injury against Ireland.

Fletcher Newell – 7.5
Again proved his fitness with his work around the park, no doubt ticking a big box for Rennie. Newell was an immovable object defensively close to his line, rejecting the Irish advances at Eden Park. A quiet but productive contributor for his team.

Pasilio Tosi – 5
The man-mountain had 31 minutes off the bench against Italy, doing his job without providing anything more.

Locks

Tupou Vaa’i – 7.5
A lock or flanker? We’ll leave him in with the second-rowers for now, although he didn’t put much of a step wrong in the No.6 jersey against Ireland. It was a delayed start to the campaign after a head knock for Vaa’i, and he certainly grew with his minutes on the park. The 26-year-old wasn’t able to get into the game to his usual degree in Wellington, but did score a late try before bringing more energy to the fold in Auckland.

Patrick Tuipulotu – 8
Another injury delayed his start this Test season, but once on the field against Ireland, Tuipulotu provided the go-forward his team needed. He put his bulk to great use with pick-and-goes, rewarded with a try that clearly meant a lot to the big man, as he celebrated with rare, visible enthusiasm. His 57 minutes were the best of his season after a powerful but inaccurate seven games for the Blues.

Josh Lord – 7.5
The lock was slightly more effective in space than he was in tight, thriving when making multiple efforts during dynamic defensive play. Lord’s hands were as safe as any in the NC, both at lineout time and when collecting restarts. July was one of Lord’s more physically imposing campaigns, but it didn’t answer all questions over what his potential is there — South Africa will be the real litmus test.

Sam Darry – 8.5
A breakthrough campaign for the 26-year-old lock, who had four dominant tackles in two starts while proving himself to be as strong at Test level as he has been for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific. Darry’s carry game was strong, and his work moving bodies around the breakdown continues to be elite. His efforts as a lineout caller, however, remain suspect.

Jamie Hannah – 7
A solid debut from the young Crusader, who was a late call-up to the matchday squad when Tuipulotu was a late scratch in Christchurch. Hannah got straight to work in front of his home crowd, finishing his 12 minutes on the park as one of the most productive tacklers in the competition on a per-minute basis.

Loose Forwards

Peter Lakai – 7.5
A maiden professional appearance on the blindside flank came Lakai’s way in Christchurch, and the 23-year-old put in a great shift, following up with some strong play off the bench against Ireland. He won collisions without dominating, contributed to a great try against France, was disciplined, but had a quieter series defensively.

Ardie Savea – 8.5
Savea took his rightful place as All Blacks captain late last month, bringing charisma to the role off the field and his usual, tireless work rate to captaincy on the field. His 39 tackles led the way for his nation, with his 40 carries the second-most to Will Jordan, while his five turnovers are the second-most of any player. But Savea’s influence goes beyond the white lines, as was illustrated when Ruben Love told Lima Sopoaga “I’ll follow him to the death” and credited the captain for his role in bringing the team together in a short period under a new head coach.

Wallace Sititi – 5
A good showing off the bench against France was followed by a poor outing in Wellington against Italy, where he consistently spilled the ball and was penalised throughout the 80 minutes. He wasn’t seen at Eden Park the following week, with Rennie delivering some clear work-ons ahead of the South Africa tour.

Luke Jacobson – 8
One of the big talking points of the campaign, Jacobson lived up to his ‘Concrete Shoulders’ nickname with four dominant tackles. He was also, however, the most penalised Kiwi with three calls against him and a yellow card. But there’s no denying the flanker rewarded the faith shown in him by selectors, hitting rucks relentlessly, throwing himself into the collision area, and while one early pass went astray against France, he operated well in the wide channels.

Anton Segner – 7.5
The rookie was a feel-good story of July, with his family making the voyage to see him make history as the first German-born All Black in Wellington. In both that showing off the bench and the one a week later against Ireland, Segner was able to keep opponents on their toes around the breakdown, not winning any turnovers but forcing them to commit bodies with his energised challenges. His pace and work rate were both evident, often appearing to secure possession after linebreaks.

Halfbacks

Cameron Roigard – 8.5
New Zealand used the ball more than any team, as evidenced by Roigard’s 278 passes being the most of any player by a margin of 38. Roigard also beat more defenders than any halfback in the NC, again proving his point of difference as a running threat. His kicking game was a mixed bag in Auckland but good otherwise. The star halfback has a big role in this new attack, and he’s made a stellar start to life under Rennie.

Cortez Ratima – 7.5
It’s a race for second place in New Zealand’s halfback ranks, and Ratima has won out to begin 2026. While Rennie revealed he had initially planned to sit Ratima and give Kyle Preston a run off the bench against Italy, minutes were hard to come by in Christchurch, and so Ratima ended up playing in Wellington to get his feet under him before the Ireland Test – where minutes were again hard to come by for anyone not named Cam Roigard. But there were some game-breaking moments from Ratima, and he lent his weight to a few heavy collisions well.

First Five-Eighths

Ruben Love – 8
Are we witnessing a changing of the guard in New Zealand? After receiving a yellow card 64 seconds into his time as the All Blacks 10, Love showed the composure and maturity beyond his years that has elevated him beyond the Damian McKenzies and Beauden Barretts of the world to steer his team to victory not once, but in three consecutive games. The game-driver provided the commitment necessary for the All Blacks to play their new high-possession game, and finished the three Tests with 31 points, the third-most of any player, thanks to elite accuracy off the tee. He had some shaky moments against Italy, with awkward decision-making against the rush defence, but was never thrown off his game.

Midfielders

Jordie Barrett – 9
Outstanding. Barrett had a hand in a huge number of New Zealand’s best moments, not just with his three try assists, which were as many as any player in the NC, and the most of any non-halfback in the competition. If there was a stat for broader try involvements, Barrett would be nearing double-digits for his work in July. He also completed the second-most tackles of any Kiwi, with plenty of stellar defensive reads. A true triple-threat on attack and pest on defence, although he was guilty of a few turnovers, too.

Quinn Tupaea – 8
Tupaea was a physical force at Eden Park, running into the teeth of the Irish defence with some heavy contact taken against the likes of Jack Conan. Defensively, he didn’t surrender much space, even with the Irish captain, Dan Sheehan, running down his channel. The anticipation and leadership in the backline defensively stood out. It was a quieter outing two weeks prior in Christchurch, but the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year was resolute in his duties around the breakdown. Strong under the high ball on kick receipts.

Billy Proctor – 8
Proctor didn’t let his chance in Wellington pass him by, starring with a complete performance. The centre was a safe pair of hands when receiving kick-offs, a loose forward-esque counter-rucker, and showed his pace with the ball in hand. He’ll rue dropping off his tackle attempt on Tommaso Menoncello that led to the Italian powerhouse’s try early in Wellington, but that was one of very few missteps in Proctor’s 101 minutes this July.

Anton Lienert-Brown – 7
Had a robust 23 minutes in Wellington, throwing himself into everything without creating any spectacular plays. Was better in Auckland, where he was able to have an impact on both sides of the ball and score New Zealand’s final try of the campaign.

Outside Backs

Caleb Clarke – 8
A strong 68 minutes against France and an even better 24 minutes off the bench against Ireland for Clarke. Starring at Eden Park, he worked off his wing to inject some game-breaking pace and power with the ball in hand, claiming two linebreaks and beating four defenders.

Fehi Fineanganofo – 7
A short-lived debut campaign for the young flyer, but he had a couple of dynamic touches in his 12 minutes on the park, playing well considering he later admitted to throwing up at halftime due to his nerves.

Leroy Carter – 7
It was a brief return to the black jersey in July for Carter, who left the field after 30 minutes in Wellington with an injury. In that time, he produced two linebreaks and a try assist, while bringing his usual hard-graft style of play to the table without the ball.

Josh Moorby – 8
July was a very strong start to Moorby’s Test career. After missing selection in round one, Moorby enjoyed a dream debut in Wellington, contributing heavily to the All Blacks’ 47 points with four linebreaks and a brace of try assists. After an 80-minute shift in his maiden start a week later, Moorby now leads the competition in linebreaks with seven. His support work was excellent, his defence was sound and included two timely intercepts, and his work tracking back to take high balls proved valuable.

Will Jordan – 9
A historic start to the new tournament for the ‘Ferrari’, whose six tries topped the charts and elevated him to the esteemed status of greatest try-scorer in New Zealand history. His 42 carries were the fourth-most of any player and produced elite attacking numbers across the board. Jordan also made 19 tackles, missing two, and deserves credit for some proficient work securing breakdowns. He remains a mixed bag under the high ball, but finished July with a nice try assist for Anton Lienert-Brown.

Damian McKenzie – 8
His 15 defenders beaten were the most of any Kiwi, good for fifth in the NC at this midway point. McKenzie had the most missed tackles of the Kiwis with seven and only made four, but was still a composed operator in the backfield, looking at home in the No.15 jersey. He got involved with the attack throughout three 80-minute performances and deserves credit for New Zealand playing and executing in the right areas of the field. Wasn’t so accurate off the tee when Ruben Love was off the field.