Top five individual performances for the All Blacks in 2025

There were some outstanding individual performances in 2025 for the All Blacks, mixed in with some below par team showings, that led to a ten win, three loss campaign under Scott Robertson.

Here are five individual performances that stood out from All Blacks players in 2025.

1. Quinn Tupaea against the Wallabies in Perth

Yes, he’s played there before, but in such a big game, it was a huge call that could have come back to bite Roberson if they were to have lost in the second Bledisloe Cup Test.

The All Black midfielder’s first try of the evening might have been slightly fortuitous with Barrett heading the ball forward, but there was nothing lucky about the kick chase, being there at the right time, and scoring an important try in the first half.

2. Damian McKenzie against Scotland at Murrayfield

He may have only played 36 minutes against Scotland, but Damian McKenzie’s off-the-bench cameo at Murrayfield is one of the most influential performances of the season.

He was named man of the match from the 25-17 victory for the All Blacks, with some superb touches that changed the complexity of the encounter.

The game changed in the 70th minute when McKenzie received the ball deep in a pocket just inside his own half, before belting the ball down the field which resulted in a 50/22, that would end up leading to his game-winning try.

His try, in the 73rd minute, was arguably the best of the season because of the sheer determination and balance McKenzie showed to get to the corner.

McKenzie was running towards the sideline with a couple of defenders alongside, before fending one off, completely stopping himself as he was heading into touch, while falling on his back and placing the ball on the line simultaneously.

3. Cameron Roigard against the Wallabies at Eden Park

After their record loss against the Springboks at Sky Stadium in Wellington, the All Blacks still headed into the first Bledisloe Cup Test as favourites, but there was a belief there that the Wallabies could threaten the long-standing unbeaten record at Eden Park.

But as soon as the game started, and star All Blacks haflback Cameron Roigard started to take the game by the scruff of the neck, you got the feeling it would be the home side’s day.

Roigard’s performance at Eden Park was exceptional. It started with a couple of snipes around the ruck, keeping the Wallabies defenders on their toes. One quick tap that nearly led to a try put pressure on Joe Schmidt’s side, before he scored his first of the evening, a smart, textbook snipe to the left of the ruck right next to the line.

A pinpoint 50/22 helped swing the momentum back in the All Blacks’ favour, and put the home side in prime position to strike in the second half.

Some nice play in midfield by Barrett and Tupaea put the latter through a gap, where you guessed it, Roigard was there in support, like every good halfback, to go in untouched under the posts.

The 25-year-old received a standing ovation at Eden Park as he left the field, and rightly so, with fans showing their appreciation for one of the world’s best No.9’s.

4. Caleb Clarke against Wales in Cardiff

Clarke’s performances in Super Rugby Pacific for the Blues were admittedly not where they needed to be, going the whole season without crossing the white line.

But Robertson and his coaching staff kept the faith and picked Clarke from what they saw in the previous year, where he locked down the left-wing spot.

The Blues winger looked back to his best in 2025 when fit, and his aerial skills really added something to a backline that was struggling.

Clarke missed the England loss at Twickenham through concussion, which meant an opportunity arose to play against a struggling Wales side in Cardiff.

The 33-Test All Black took his chances when they came his way, including when Ruben Love fired a pass to him early on in Cardiff, and then in the 78th minute when Rieko Ioane was all alone after a line break.

Clarke showed his class in the air, taking high-balls, and adding another dimension to the All Blacks attack with his power game.

He could have had a hat-trick, but referee Hollie Davidson ruled out arguably his best of the night, as Du’Plessis Kirifi knocked the ball on during the build-up.

5. Finlay Christie against the Springboks at Eden Park

In the context of what was on the line, who was in town, and the pressure he was under after one of the All Blacks’ best, in Roigard, was out, Christie’s performance was crucial.

The All Blacks head coach often describes Christie as a “Test footballer” and someone who he trusts to come in and do a job if need be, and that’s exactly what he did at Eden Park.

With only uncapped Kyle Preston on the bench, Christie was asked to play 67 minutes on his home track, a shift that Robertson and his coaching staff would have been happy with and proud of.

Honourable mentions: Fabian Holland against Ireland in Chicago, and Ardie Savea against France in Wellington.