Former All Blacks pick their starting wingers for 2025

With the first All Blacks Test match of 2025 fast approaching, discussions have started amongst fans and pundits regarding one of the more congested positions, the wingers.

Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele’a and Will Jordan have regularly been used in the past couple of years, but with Tele’a rumoured to be moving overseas to Japan, a spot has opened up.

Young exciting wingers Macca Springer, Caleb Tangitau and Leroy Carter have emerged as options, while older, more experienced campaigners like Sevu Reece and Emoni Narawa are putting their own hands up respectively.

Former All Black Stephen Donald is picking Sevu Reece to play for the All Blacks again in 2025, saying he would pick Tangitau alongside him for the All Blacks first Test series against France in July.

“So I’m going to go, Sevu Reece, who continuously performs, and as you talked about there’s always someone young and fresh coming through so I’m going to go with Caleb Tangitau as well,” Donald told The Breakdown.

60-Test former All Black Jeff Wilson agrees with Donald about Reece but believes the other winger should be Highlanders captain Timoci Tavatavanawai.

“‘I’m picking Timoci Tavatavanawai now. Why? Because when I see these sorts of numbers and the impact that he’s having,” Wilson said on The Breakdown.

“The other one is Sevu Reece, whom you mentioned because at the moment his try-scoring ratio in Super Rugby Pacific is impressive. I mean 53 tries in 66 games, he knows how to score tries. I’m comfortable with those two guys being in the black jersey.

“The trouble is, they’re looking for versatility as well now, so guys who can play multiple positions. So when you have a Will Jordan and you have Rieko Ioane, all of a sudden you’re probably only going to pick another one like that.”

Former All Black centurian Mils Muliaina thinks that Hurricanes utility back Ruben Love could be in the conversation, even though his natural position is at fullback.

“I’d throw Reuben Love in there as a winger as well, I think they like their versatility,” Muliaina said on The Breakdown.

Muliaina also said he would pick Tele’a, despite him possibly moving offshore, as the All Blacks need to get more victories under their belt.

“The All Blacks need to win now, but we need to be getting back to being dominant and we should pick our best players until they leave, we’ve got guys coming through for after.

Muliaina also agrees with Wilson about Fijian-born Tavatavanawai, who’s skillset has impressed Muliaina.

“I agree with you, the other one I would pick would be Tavatavanawai, I think he deserves an opportunity at this stage, the way he’s going about his business, and I like his work rate. That’s been the biggest thing that’s stood out for me, but also his ability on defence, getting over the ball.

“That’s not that’s not when guys are isolated, it’s also when he’s getting into the hard stuff. His body positions are exceptional, but he’s got speed, he’s got power, and he’s played in the midfield.

“I wouldn’t necessarily play him in the midfield for the All Blacks, but I think as a winger, he’d be outstanding.”