Commentator's reason for backing Billy Proctor-Barrett combination in the AB's

In 2024, Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor made his debut for the All Blacks in San Diego against Fiji, where the 25-year-old scored a try in the 26th minute.

Fast forward to 2025, Proctor has just returned to the Hurricanes starting lineup after a long period on the sideline with an injury. The Hurricanes midfielder travelled home during the end-of-year Northern Tour for the birth of his first child, after appearing twice for the All Blacks in his debut season under Scott Robertson.

Proctor’s performance on Saturday night against the Brumbies in Canberra clearly caught the public’s attention, scoring an impressive try and helping the Hurricanes secure New Zealand’s first victory in Australia this season.

Current Sky Sports commentator and analyst Taylah Johnson believes Proctor’s longtime combination with Jordie Barrett is something that could prove to be important in the race for the All Blacks midfield.

Barrett returns from his short sabbatical at Irish club Leinster ahead of the home France series in July, but who Robertson picks alongside Barrett is a popular topic of discussion.

“His combination already has been tried and tested with Jordie Barrett, so I think Jordie at 12 and Billy at 13 is pretty good,” Johnson said.

Former All Black Jeff Wilson has been impressed with Proctor’s first couple of appearances in 2025, after a tough ending to the season in 2024.

“He played two Tests for the All Blacks last year and wasn’t seen again and he’s had a second game for the Hurricanes now after a long delay through injury, he came off the bench last week,” Wilson told The Breakdown on Sunday night.

“This was the Billy proctor that the Hurricanes were missing, and he was very good, and they’ve admitted they missed him. What you started to see was his impact on both sides of the ball, whether it’s carrying, whether it’s a clean out, whether it’s his defence, whether it’s being a bully on the outside channel.

“I like the way they used him, he’s got good footwork, he’s a different type of centre. It’s just whether or not that’s what they’re looking for at the next level. But for him to make a statement and if he continues to do that and build on that, to me, it’s a great start to his season.”

Former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui likes what he sees from Proctor, saying that his playing style might be the only thing holding him back in the All Blacks.

“I think he’s a gun and style is the only reason he hasn’t played more Tests, I would have thought it’s how he fits in an All Black team,” Turinui said on The Breakdown.

“I think it’s very much been the Cameron Roigard show at the Hurricanes, everything good from them has been around him.

“Proctor just gives them a different element out wide, he frees up the back three because he can play out on an edge as well. I think he’s great for the whole collective at the Hurricanes.”

Wilson is still unclear about why Robertson didn’t use Proctor more often last year before the birth of his first child, especially with how well he performed for the Hurricanes.

“There must be something going on there though for us not to have seen him more last year, I was surprised that we didn’t see him and another couple of Test matches for the All Blacks,” Wilson said.

“I thought there were plenty of chances to see him play and see whether his game would transfer, and we just didn’t get that in the big Test matches.

“We’re not any further along when he was in really good form and when he played against Fiji, he was outstanding, did everything he could ask of a player in his first Test match.”