Newest All Blacks XV enforcer TK Howden emerges as product of ‘no-bull culture’

There’s an unassuming honesty about TK Howden that is increasingly appealing to selectors. The Manawatu captain made his debut for the All Blacks XV against England A in Bath on Saturday, and it couldn’t have gone any better. Playing in the unfamiliar position of lock, he made valuable contributions with three lineout catches and nine tackles, helping the All Blacks XV secure their sixth consecutive win by 31-12.

“They’re a quality side, so it was a great way to debut. We were patient; it was 12-7 for a long time, but we didn’t overplay our hand. We stuck to our plan and took our opportunities in the last twenty minutes,” Howden told RugbyPass.

“I hadn’t played lock since high school. There’s not much difference between lock and flanker, except for having to push harder in the scrum. I ate a bit more this week to try and pack on some extra pounds.”

Howden’s game has had extra starch in 2025. In the NPC, he played all ten matches for Manawatu, ranking inside the top ten for tackles made (147), carries (124), and lineouts won (45).

Manawatu won three of their first six matches, including a Howden try in a 38-28 win over Wellington and a shock 36-26 upset of Waiakto. Unfortunately, they collapsed when the playoffs were within reach, losing their last four consecutive matches.

“I’m a proud Manawatu man, so it was a huge honour to captain my province. It’s a big responsibility. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is knowing when to speak and when not to speak,” Howden shared.

“Building relationships with everyone—from coaches to players to academy boys—is also extremely important. If we’re all aligned, we have a better chance of success.

“We started well, but then bad habits crept in. Manawatu has had a losing culture, so when things go wrong, doubt sets in and we second-guess ourselves. We have to create new habits, which take time, to ensure we don’t roll over.”

Fixture

Rugby Union Hybrid Friendlies

All Blacks XV

45 - 21

Full-time

Uruguay

All Stats and Data

In 2022, Manawatu lost all ten games, their worst showing in any season since 1919.

The Highlanders managed only three wins in Super Rugby Pacific in 2025, but for Howden, starting in nine of 11 appearances represented a significant increase in workload from his time at the Hurricanes, where he averaged just 43 minutes of playing time in 17 appearances.

Howden is adamant that something is brewing at the Highlanders, who lost eight games by ten points or less and have secured promising talent, such as fellow All Blacks XV teammates Jack Taylor, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, and Josh Jacomb (2027), for the future.

“There’s a lot of talent in the deep south. The handsome fellow beside me, Folua Fakatava, the beast Fabian Holland, and Jamie Joe. I love the way he coaches. While the results don’t reflect it, there was a lot of growth last season, and I can’t wait to rip in.”

The immediate priority is ending the All Blacks XV tour with a win against Uruguay, who are confident after beating Portugal 26-8 last Saturday and having recently secured qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Howden admits he doesn’t know much about Uruguay, but he isn’t taking anything for granted.

“We will study some footage and treat them with the utmost respect. What we do know is that they are a passionate team, similar in approach to Argentina. They will look to dominate the collisions, so we must be at our best in that area.”

Uruguay’s most famous player is loose forward Diego Ormaechea. A World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee (#148), he earned 54 caps for Los Teros between 1979 and 1999, scoring 30 tries and captaining his nation 37 times. When he played against South Africa at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, he became the oldest player to appear in the tournament at 40 years and 26 days—a record he still holds today.

It’s likely that All Blacks centurions Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, and Codie Taylor will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Ormaechea. Remarkably, the trio, along with Black Ferns legend Sarah Hirini and Red Roses Rugby World Cup winner Amy Cokayne, all attended Feilding High School, a semi-rural coeducational institution that punches well above its weight in rugby. This year, the boys’ First XV finished as runners-up in the National Top Four and even made headlines nationally for their cheeky “Aggies” Budgy Smugglers. Maori All Black Howden played in the First XV from 2016 to 2019, and he often assists with practice when he can.

“What’s in the water at Feilding? That’s a good question. The Whitelock family, for starters. Dad Braeden has helped for years with recruitment and coaching. It’s just a no-bull culture built on hard work and caring for one another.”