34 - 31

36 - 20

21 - 31

45 - 14

19 - 13

36 - 38

28 - 44

31 - 33

26 - 47

21 - 15

40 - 17

38 - 38

43 - 17

31 - 26

17 - 50

32 - 15

54 - 19

27 - 15

33 - 61

WOMENS

46 - 7

41 - 17

45 - 14

38 - 40

59 - 7

59 - 17

28 - 69

WOMENS

26 - 41

27 - 20

31 - 7

33 - 12

WOMENS

15 - 24

26 - 7

27 - 51

17 - 76

35 - 12

24 - 26

International

The form All Blacks backline after six rounds of Super Rugby Pacific

Ben Smith

46 days ago

Ruben Love of New Zealand celebrates scoring his team’s second try with teammate Caleb Clarke during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Wales and New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales.

If the All Blacks backline were named today based on Super Rugby Pacific form, it would look very different to the team that last played in November.

The table-leading Hurricanes would likely dominate selections, the best team in Super Rugby Pacific right now has been blowing teams off the park and their back play has been a large part of that.

Incoming head coach Dave Rennie has a lot to think about, but this is the form backline as of right now after six rounds.

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9. Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
Roigard has taken a backseat as the main playmaker for the Canes this year but in Dunedin he took charge. After leading the competition in try assists last year, Roigard scored two tries against the Highlanders and added a try assist as the Canes racked up a huge score on Friday night. His run game and sniping elevating him above all the halfbacks in New Zealand. He’s the incumbent All Black starter and nothing so far in 2026 has changed that. Roigard is the No.9 for the form backline.

2025 starter: Cam Roigard

10. Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
The most controversial selection in the form backline is Ruben Love. He’s been out with injury over the first four weeks and finally got his first start at No.10 against the Highlanders, showing why he needs a chance there for the All Blacks. He finished with two line breaks and two try assists, including a wipers kick to Fehi Fineanganofo that left watchers stunned. The Canes’ attack was already clicking, fullback Callum Harkin had five try assists filling in at No.10, and Love slotting in hasn’t changed that.

Across the other New Zealand franchises, there has been no stability. The Chiefs Damian McKenzie sat out the first few weeks and so did Beauden Barrett at the Blues. Cam Millar has had a run of starts for the Highlanders but is not in the game-changer category of 10s. For the Crusaders, it’s been musical chairs. Taha Kemara has had the best showing for them, against the Chiefs, but like Love, is just one game.

Love is already the form No.10 in New Zealand and gets the edge as he’s in the form backline.

2025: Beauden Barrett

11. Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Caleb Clarke has been quietly back in business for the Blues, with five tries in five games ahead of the Blues’ win over the Waratahs. His double against the Crusaders helped the Blues to a resounding win over their old rivals. Clarke’s back in top five in metres carried, clean breaks, and defenders beaten.

There is a lot of competition around New Zealand for the left wing spot with Sevu Reece and Fehi Fineanganofo, but unfortunately for the former All Blacks Sevens rep, he’s signed a deal with the Newcastle Red Bulls. As was the case with Mark Tele’a after announcing his Japan deal, a call up to the All Blacks is very unlikely.

Clarke is right there with Fineanganofo in all of the stat categories and the 25-year-old has plenty of international experience too. He gets the selection over Fineanganofo in the form backline.

2025: Leroy Carter/Leicester Fainga’anuku

12. Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
If you hadn’t noticed Jordie Barrett is in career best form right now. While the Highlanders’ Tavatavanawai has the shared lead in the Player of the Year voting with his blockbusting carries garnering headlines, Barrett is the anchor of the best backline in the competition, picking apart defences with his passing game.

The playmaking 12 has been on fire, with his passing range a key asset for the Hurricanes. They have a very deliberate play which calls on Barrett to fire a triple cutout to Josh Moorby on the wing. They’ve scored already from it, and Barrett leads the competition now in try assists with six (equal first with Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens).

Coming back from Leinster, Barrett has taken his game to another level and it appears like a lot of the Leinster attack shapes have come with him.

2025: Jordie Barrett

13. Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
The centre position is troublesome in New Zealand right now. Proctor is in try-scoring form, having scored a hat-trick against the Waratahs, but it can’t be said that he’s in career-best form this season. His Super Rugby form last year was better. There are defensive lapses like when Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens stepped inside him for the opening try last weekend, and passes that goes astray too often.

The good news for Proctor is there isn’t anyone else breathing down his neck. At the Highlanders, winger Jonah Lowe has just taken hold of the 13 jersey, at the Crusaders Braydon Ennor is in good touch but is departing New Zealand. The Blues’ AJ Lam had a breakout game against the Waratahs. While Quinn Tupaea exploded for the All Blacks playing centre last year, he’s back at 12 for the Chiefs with Daniel Rona taking outside centre.

Proctor still gets the nod above all those players.

2025: Quinn Tupaea/Billy Proctor

14. Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
There is no doubt that Tangitau is the best 14 in the country. He’s been sensational again for the Highlanders after his 2025 rookie season put him on the national radar.

He’s big, powerful and fast, blazing down the right side frequently and popping up around the park to break the line. He’s equal first in the competition in clean breaks with 12, alongside Will Jordan and Fineanganofo.

Tangitau played for the All Blacks XV in the European tour and is ready to break through into the top side. On form, he would be the starting No.14.

2025: Sevu Reece/Leroy Carter

15. Will Jordan (Crusaders)
The incumbent No.15 now leads the vote for Super Rugby’s Player of the Year after six rounds of play, equal with Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea on 23 votes.

Jordan has been sensational for the Crusaders even though it has been an up-and-down start to the season for the club. He’s consistently been one of the best attacking players in the competition for years but in 2026 he is hitting his peak.

It’s not just the attacking plays, it’s defensive too. His last-ditch tackle on Leroy Carter against the Chiefs in Hamilton might be the best try saver ever in Super Rugby.

Jordan is the obvious fullback selection with no change from 2025.

2025: Will Jordan/Damian McKenzie

Comments

68 Comments

Nickers 45 days ago

So many great players available. At least two guys in every position who are quality. Surely the ABs backline can start firing again.

ColinK 45 days ago

Love is the future all the others trying to get the 10 are yesterday’s news. For sure still quality players, but if Ruben can sustain his body and form it’s time for him to take over. He is Dan Carter like at his best, the questions really are, can he sustain it and replicate it at test level? It’s a question we should answer by starting him with one of those quality guys backing him up from the bench. But first lets see a body of work at 10 in this years SRP. If he achieves that, let’s go for it.

cnw 45 days ago

Agree - get Love in the box seat

Rick Clark 46 days ago

I don’t think Proctor has the class to step up to AB level he looked intimidated in the Black jersey last year. I would like to see combinations involving JB,QT, TT & LF.

SC 45 days ago

Proctor does not have either the power or pace to be a test level 13.

12 J. Barrett, Tavatavanawai

13 Tupaea, Fainga’anuka

And as the All Blacks will need 5 midfielders for the SA tour and as Rennie recruited ALB to play for him at Kobe Spears on his sabbatical, Proctor will likely lose the fifth spot to ALB.

PMcD 46 days ago

Rennie’s sides tend to have power in the centres, in that regard I think it will be either;

Roigard, Mounga, Clarke, QT, LF, Jordan, Jordie

Roigard, Mounga, Clarke, Jordie, LF, Jordan, Love

Something along those lines could be really interesting with quite a bit of creativity across the backline to play attacking ball,

SC 45 days ago

For the love of God, leave Love at 10 for an entire season and give him a chance to show if he is a test 10 or not over an entire season.

Please Dave, do not move 10s to 15. It is killing their development.

SC 45 days ago

Roigard, Mo’unga, Clarke, J.Barrett, Tupaea, Tangitua, Jordan

JD 46 days ago

Surely Leicester in at 13 is an option? Jordie would be the perfect 12 option - quite the combination.

Jacque 46 days ago

Way too slow for international 13.

Karlos G 46 days ago

I like Faingunuku but his defence is suspect, personally l’d have Tupaea at centre than Proctor.But with a large squad going to SA we need them all!

PB 46 days ago

So after all the bleating and Razor bashing, the only change really is an untested Ruben Love?

The Boks will be quivering in their boots!

Bazzallina 46 days ago

If fit add Caleb Clarke was best wing on paddock in 24 right? And Roigard didn’t play Boks LY and u cannot deny he is as good as any 9 running around arguably the best

Craig S 46 days ago

Tangitau is definitely big and fast and a talent for the future, but his defence is a real weakness. His performance against the Canes last week was woeful. His opposite number (11) scored a hat trick and the Canes replacement back B Sullivan ran past him so easily for another. On that performance alone he cant be seen as the form 14.

Nickers 45 days ago

Agreed. Zero doubt about his attacking ability but even though he is part of a weak team it has been his one on one defence that has been a let down I think. Easy to fix though I think.

JW 46 days ago

I would probably have to put Harkin in at 10, because he has played the most, but agree even that one game from Love you just know it’s going to be good. Otherwise I reckon Harking would even be pushing Jordan, same with JRK (I did miss one of Jordans better games again Moana or somebody though).

Can I pick Isaiah Ravula?

I’d still say Big Jim has done more than Jordie, even on one leg.

Some other things worth noting in this discussion, it’s one of a biggest seasons ever and were talking about being 6 weeks in (or single digit number of games away frmo SA) and our test options at 10 have played ONE game!

I’m still liking Reihana a lot.

JRK has a better alround game than Jordan and is pushing him on the offensive front.

Ben is just picking favourites omitting players like Fehi.

JW 46 days ago

Jordie clearly outperformed https://prnt.sc/0VhlfRizVH6B

GP 46 days ago

Very good backline. Crusaders Chay Fihaki would be close, or at least on the bench. Will Jordan clearly the best 15. As Ben Smith said tackle on Le Roy Carter in round 3 something else. Will’s opening try against the Highlanders was special. Cam Roigard no 1 Halfback. 2nd and 3rd Halfbacks I see a big battle looming. Leicester Fainga’anuku at least on the bench where he has shone for the Crusaders. I know Braydon Ennor is heading overseas later in the year, but he looks after his outsides so well and is a threat with ball in hand.

d 46 days ago

I thought Clarke was already the incumbent AB left wing on a rock solid track record with the ABs - when did Carter play left wing?

Also Smith couldn’t have seen many AB matches last year, Jordan is clearly better at right wing despite the Sader fanboys saying otherwise, struggled with aerial ball; surely we have other options. I agree Love deserves to show he can be better than BB or DM at #10, so maybe he and BB share #10 and #15.

as for Tangitau being the best #14; The Canes ran past him all night against the Landers, nonexistent defence, no where near good enough to displace Jordan for the AB wing position.

Karlos G 45 days ago

Considering Tangitau, yep that’s the problem with NZ fans they're focused on the wind in your hair tries, all the glory stuff! Just like Hoskins Sotututu they’re not looking at the defensive capabilities and effort all round, how quickly they get up and back into action or the defensive line!

Spew_81 46 days ago

Caleb Tangitau’s defense is a bit weak.

ck 46 days ago

Where’s this playmaking from Jordie for the All Blacks ,frickin useless that’s why

Spew_81 46 days ago

Bad coaching at All Blacks level?

ck 46 days ago

Too bad Jordie and proctor can’t translate that form to the All Blacks ,lack power and nuts at international level

Nickers 45 days ago

Which backs were able to translate their outstanding Super Rugby form to test rugby under Razor? I think we have to discount, or at least reserve judgment on, almost every player we have seen underperform for the past 2 seasons. All of the backs, no matter how good in SR, looked absolutely pedestrian for the ABs. Roigard aside actually. Pretty much every team England has come up against has cut their defence to pieces. We could barely get over the gain line. How poor did we look against Wales? But look at how well the ABs XV backs went with virtually no time together.

The ABs attack and back line in particular was completely toothless and directionless. As soon as someone put the black jumper on it’s like they were in their first game of the season every game.

By the end of last year I think only Wales had a worse attack than us out of the TRC and 6N teams.

JW 46 days ago

Yup, one of the two for me. I’m an AB purist at heart, so that nuts power needs to come from 12.

Tah Man Too 46 days ago

Tupaea is in better form than Proctor, and should be in the side.

Bazzallina 46 days ago

QT has his problems on D too tho

JW 46 days ago

Than Jordie you mean.

SC 46 days ago

I am not a Beauden Barrett cheerleader by any means but he has had two brilliant matches for the Blues while Ruben Love has had one brilliant game.

Two is greater than one so Barrett is the form 10.

Breakdown, Aoteora, and DSPN podcasts all have Barrett at 10 based on form.

Karlos G 46 days ago

I honestly hope not! But he will be good for a widened squad to take to SA for his experience and for injury cover but ABs need an attacking 10 again, an innovator who distributes holds the ball alot more and kicks little

Bazzallina 46 days ago

My concern with Beaudie and god bless him for real but for example during Tahs game blues get a turnover just on their side halfway Tahs are short on their right Beaudie gets ball goes other way and immediately puts a kick straight to Tahs backfield player puts his hand up to say sorry come back for knock on by Tahs why concern ? You have to be ready and willing to counter ball in hand on turnovers especially these days but Beaudie rarely does this these days now he can still shift still got good speed but looks to the boot far to often and imo wants to avoid contact remember zero tries from turnover or kick return last TRC everybody else in the world plenty

WJ 46 days ago

There is always going to be a subjective element to these discussions. I agree Beauden has played very well the last two weeks. Having said that, I was at FB watching Ruben last Friday, and wow, he was so lively, aware, accurate…His passing both ways was so quick, long and he pulls the trigger so fast. Also has a great eye for the gap and is a threat is so many ways. I also loved that he voluntarily took that last kick from the sideline because he was annoyed at the previous narrow misses from there.

Good to have another option anyway, other than Beauden and Dmac.

BH 46 days ago

I agree with this. Love has had one single game at 10 which doesn’t exactly scream and shout that he’s the “form” number 10. Beauden has been consistently good for a few weeks.

KwAussie 46 days ago

and a huge bias for the people on both podcasts

Hurrifan 46 days ago

Harkin deserves a shout, hope he makes the squad

KwAussie 46 days ago

That works for me. I wouldn’t be unhappy with Moorby being in the mix but probably the 23 not 1st XV.

Karlos G 46 days ago

Me thinking Moorby might be in the mix for a larger squad to SA for some midweek games🤔 but probably not cracking the 23 for first 3 games

John Breslin 46 days ago

How does Richie fit in at #10?

JW 46 days ago

You have access to JRLO games I take it, why don’t you tell us?

Bazzallina 46 days ago

Well guess that depends who starts against France Italy and Ireland and form they show now Dmac and or Beaudie could be that person but we have seen that before and most would say Richie still wins that battle for 10 but if Reuben can stay on the field and keep improving over Suoer and gets a chance in black who knows? He does have an extra skillset in the variety length speed of pass both hands could end in a battle between them for start and bench spot tho Dnac is proven impact but Jordan is looking better at 15 all the time doing so much more playmaking

KwAussie 46 days ago

Richie needs to prove himself. He’s older, slower and hasn’t been playing in such a high tempo game for a while. I do find it funny how as soon as a player goes off shore we remember all the good things they did and forget some of their mistakes and somehow think that going back to the past is the best way forward. Personally, unless he comes back and proves he’s the best 10 in New Zealand he doesn’t get picked.

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