Five bold possible debutants for the All Blacks in 2026

I know this article is talking new All Blacks. But it would be a timely return to see Canterbury and Crusaders midfield back Braydon Ennor back in the AB’s. Great defender and brilliant attacker , who knows how to feed his outsides. Intelligent rugby player, who played a big part in the Crusaders and Canterbury’s title wins .

Time to talk about getting Jamie Mackintosh into the ABs coaching set up. Canes are churning out high quality and very versatile front rowers. Since he joined the coaching team there Lomax went from OK to absolute world class within one year before injuries set him back, Xavier Numia, Tosi, and Mafileo have all come from complete obscurity into the ABs squad, and Siale Lauaki looks likely to join them in the next year or 2.

As the prototype tall timber prop, he’s obviously very good at helping this new generation or towering front rowers make the most of it. Seeing what he has done with these other giants you’d have to think Tamaiti would benefit hugely from his input too.

Good to see Canterbury and Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah get mentioned. Great in the line outs and high work rate. Jamie also top ball skills as he showed in the NPC Final when he started the movement that led to Dallas McLeods try.

I’d be adding in a few other names that might have already been named if it wasnt for injury: Caleb Tangitau, Xavier Numia, Flanders and Jacob RTK.

Longer term there are some good names in the pipeline - Eli Oudenryn, Lucas Casey, Cooper Roberts and Oli Mathis

I don’t care who they pick as long as BB’s average carcass finally GETS DROPPED.

Man, rewatched some ABs games and it is incredible he gets picked at all.

I just don’t get it.

Josh Jacomb is not an AB

Not convinced by this list. Naholo will have a hard time...we don't come back from an injury to the cruciate ligament like that especially for a winger whose explosiveness is goodwill.

Thomson I don't believe it either. He wasn't on the radar before he left for NRL, and I don't see why he would be there now. He will be number 3 at the Chiefs... In my opinion, there are 2 or 3 prospects in front of him in his position.

Kellow is a good player like others... Casey seems to me to be a more interesting player.

Lauaki still has a lot to demonstrate at the SR level

The only one who seems to me to have the potential of an AllBlack in the short term is Pledger but everyone knows that.

Lucas Casey is a dark horse. # 7 for the Highlanders NPC team. 9 tries.

Only in the wider training squad for Super Rugby for now.

A Josh Kronfeld type with hints of McCaw.

Great to see Canterbury and Crusaders loose forward Corey Kellow on the list. He was in scintillating form until his injury half way through the NPC for Canterbury. But like all the players in our group re Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, ( now overseas ) etc, he has a phenomenal work rate. He is on the come back trail from injury and will be a real one to watch again in 2026.

Great list Henry! I might be going a bit more towards the bolter category here but my five would be;

Kyren Taumoefolau - Had a standout season already obviously, and been to a WC before, but he would be overtaking All Blacks in Narawa, Nannai-Seturo, and Carter to get there, and with much more expectation on him this year.

Fehi Fineanganofo - Has even more irresistible talents than Kini and was a blockbuster for the Canes. If not Kyren’s allround game, then Fehi will certainly get the job done on attack.

Senita Lauaki - It’s in the blood. Only a WTG player next year but he is exactly the ball carrier at 8 the Highlanders are missing from their lineup and was missed by Waikato in the finals where he was replaced by All Blacks (shows you how important specialist skillsets are), he has a great work rate on D as well. Just the fit for what the All Blacks are looking for at 1.9m and 110kg back in age grade rugby. Would look to see he even stronger next year with what I guess will be a first full pro preseason.

Callum Harkin - Basically a like for like replacement for Beauden Barrett next year. Has attacking stats as good if not better than Chay Fihaki and is more versatile. I don’t think he has quite proven he has the defence to play any other position than first five at a higher level but is basically modern Nick Evans or Gareth Anscombe. Won a title with Wellington last year and will up against Rueben Love, Riley Higgins, and Jordie Barrett for their respective positions, so if he can break through there, he basically breaks though into the All Blacks.

I didn’t have anyone in particular in mind for a 5th (aside for the great callouts in the article) but if I was to round it out with 5 I’d hedge and say it could be anyone of a number for new 6 locks, Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook, Caleb Delany and Cam Christie.

Those are my picks, if there weren’t odds for these selections, then I would for sure say go for Hannah, Haig, Stodart etc in the last group. Obviously ignore those who are ABXV fixtures like Flanders as well.

Honourable mentions go to Fakatava as a bold pick, Casey, Rona, or a Moana guy like Semisi, the ineligible Ioane Moananu (actually might be after a few NPC games), and for Super, Vakasiuola, Frank Vaenuku, and Sinton to take the backup halfback spot.

Devon Flanders should be in this list.