Kaino's Crown: Jason Ryan sizes up All Blacks’ enforcer options

Since Jerome Kaino, the All Blacks‘ No.6 jersey has seen many contenders attempt to stake their claim. In 2025, the All Blacks coaches have taken a different direction with their selections.

Kaino’s international retirement in 2017 triggered a rotating door for Kiwi blindside flankers with international ambitions, something the new coaching regime has inherited.

The 2019 World Cup saw Ardie Savea and Scott Barrett share the blindside duties in the knockout stages, while at the 2023 event, it was Shannon Frizell who owned the position. All of those men are likely to be available for selection once more in 2027, but Scott Robertson and Co. are looking elsewhere.

In his first team naming as All Blacks head coach, former Test flanker Robertson picked Samipeni Finau in the enforcer role. Ethan Blackadder then had another short stint at 6 before an injury opened the door for rookie Wallace Sititi. With the youngster going on to win Breakthrough Player of the Year honours, it’s expected he will move to his familiar No.8 role this season as Ardie Savea shifts back to the openside flank.

After enjoying a breakout campaign of his own in ’24, Tupou Vaa’i was trialled on the blindside against France and appears to have convinced selectors he’s got the goods as a potential long-term solution.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

21

36

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

The aforementioned Finau remains in the picture, and has been joined by fellow Chiefs hardman Simon Parker as selections for the Rugby Championship.

“We’ve got a 6 in mind, but what we have got, we’ve got options now,” All Blacks forward coach Jason Ryan told SportNation‘s Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg this week.

“Whether that’s a starting 6, a good lineout forward, whether that’s Tupou Vaa’i or Samipeni Finau. And we’ve obviously picked Simon Parker, who’s a genuine six/eight, and that combination of him and Samipeni worked pretty well at the Chiefs until he got injured. We’ve liked him for some time.

“So, we’ve got genuine options there, and we believe that winning our lineout ball is quite important as we play bigger teams and lineout forwards. The Argentinians are pretty athletic in the air.

“The physicality side of the game, as boring as it may sound, is important. So we’ve got to make sure we bring that as well.

“But with the three of those men, it’s pretty clear where we’re leading, and I think all of them have taken their chances, whether that’s starting or on the bench. And no doubt, Simon will get his opportunity.”

Parker was the only new name to be read in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad, with three further uncapped talents coming in as travelling injury reserves.

The selection made evident what Kiwi coaches are looking for: big, physical lineout options. Finau is the smallest of the bunch at 194 cm, 115kg.

With a Test against Los Pumas now just days away, newcomer Parker has had to embed himself in the group quickly.

“He’s come in, and one of the big things we loved about him was his character, and I think he’s shown that just as he’s come into the group. He really knows who he is as a young man, and he’s got around the coaches that he’s needed to and had the conversations with the boys.

“We had a good welcome, and the boys spoke pretty deeply about themselves, which was nice to hear. We’re building into it nicely.”