Jamie Joseph explains biggest All Blacks XV selection calls

An injury list did not accompany the naming of the All Blacks XV squad on Tuesday, but some players have been ruled unavailable for selection, according to the team’s new head coach, Jamie Joseph.

Some notable names with All Blacks experience were absent from the squad list, including capped back rowers such as Ethan Blackadder and Hoskins Sotutu, both of whom were also injured late in 2024 and were not seen on either the All Blacks or All Blacks XV’s respective northern tours.

Joseph revealed that the loose forwards were particularly injury-plagued again this year, with players “you would assume would be in the team” set to miss time; however, he was still incredibly confident that his squad could pick up wins on the three-match European tour.

The loose forward selections in the 2025 squad include Kaylum Boshier, Devan Flanders, Te Kamaka Howden, Christian Lio-Willie, Dalton Papali’i, and Sean Withy.

“I’ve inherited how they selected the team last year between Clayton (McMillan) and my assistant coaches, and with Scott (Robertson) and his team,” Joseph told the media in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

“In summary, two-thirds of the team are relatively straightforward; they’re quality players, in this case, a lot of them have already played for the All Blacks.

“And then, it’s ensuring that we get a healthy balance between getting some experienced players that we know can do it, but perhaps haven’t had that opportunity to play this level of footy, and then there’s some exciting young guys.

“My role and the role of my coaching team, really, is to track the NPC and make sure that if players are coming back from injury or have dropped their form since Super Rugby, that we’re making sure that there’s a robust discussion.

“I wouldn’t say it was contentious. It was healthy. We all see the quality of rugby players across the board, so I felt the selection was relatively straightforward.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

13 - 24

46 - 19

41 - 10

13 - 26

7 - 106

26 - 52

33 - 19

17 - 25

13 - 26

14 - 28

3

Wins

4

1

Streak

1

30

Tries Scored

21

133

Points Difference

47

4/5

First Try

4/5

4/5

First Points

3/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

The team’s captain is also yet to be named, with Joseph intent on meeting players face-to-face, shaking hands, and having coffee before finalising his decision.

Outside of the loose forwards, the halfback selections have emerged as perhaps the most crowded and controversial, with many fans hoping to see young gun Dylan Pledger involved after two strong New Zealand U20 campaigns and an even more impressive rookie season with Otago.

“I have no doubt Dylan is going to be a really good player, and that’s evident at this level of NPC,” Joseph said. “I think he only just turned 20 the other day.

“There are some pretty quality nines in this team, Folau, Preston, and Roe. It’s hard competition. I guess it is always tempting to pick a youngie to come in and get some experience, but he has got plenty of time, I reckon. A lot of rugby to play.

“He hasn’t played Super footy. I wouldn’t want to put him under too much pressure in his first year of professional rugby, that’s for sure.”

The selected trio of halfbacks are Kyle Preston, Xavier Roe, and Folau Fakatava. The latter of the three made two All Blacks appearances in 2022, but hasn’t been in the selection picture since. Joseph, who coaches Fakatava at the Highlanders, says the halfback is still committed to New Zealand, despite also being eligible to play for Tonga.

“One hundred per cent, I think he’s got a desire to play for the All Blacks. I think there’s a wee bit of a learning there, because Folau played for the All Blacks in ’22, and he’s been around for a long time. He was in the shadow of Aaron Smith for years. He played most of his rugby as an impact nine coming off the bench, and now we’re regarding him as an old player; he’s only 25. He’s playing awesome rugby for Hawke’s Bay.

“So, one hundred per cent he wants to be an All Black, this is the next step for Folau and he’s got an opportunity.”

Joseph said the opportunity was there for all players selected to get one step closer to their ultimate goal of becoming All Blacks.

“They have got no control over the selection, and all they can really do is get out there and perform in some kind of way, perhaps, that proves selections wrong by playing well for the New Zealand XV.

“That circumstance is kind of exciting for us as a coaching team. And getting involved with the New Zealand XV and going forward, trying to help these young men get back into the All Blacks or create a name for themselves.

“There’s a responsibility attached to it, but it’s exciting as well.”