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Winners and losers of the first All Blacks squad of the year
By Ben Smith
Scott Robertson’s first All Blacks squad of the year showed form is valuable with five uncapped players named in the July squad.
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Highlanders lock Fabian Holland and co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, Chiefs front rowers Brodie McAlister and Ollie Norris and Hurricanes openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi were named.
There were some notable omissions however two form players, Crusaders No.8 Christian Lio-Willie and Chiefs wing Emoni Narawa remain as injury cover.
Winners
Fabian Holland*
The Dutchman became eligible last year and after serving an apprenticeship on the end of the year tour, has been elevated to the full squad as one of the four locks alongside captain Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa’i. A player with special size, Holland was a tackling machine in Super Rugby Pacific with the second most attempts in the competition with 221 at a 92.3 per cent success rate. The 22-year-old is likely to see action against France with three of the four locks playing every game.
Timoci Tavatavanawai*
The bold pick of winger-turned-midfielder is a great one. Tavatavanawai is a special talent that can provide what no other midfielder can, turnovers. At No.12 the Fijian had 25 breakdown steals, the most in the competition. With power running a hallmark of his game, he will get the All Blacks gain line with tough carries. He is the perfect No.12 to play against certain opposition that requires a no nonsense approach. One of six midfielders named, it is a crowded positional group.
Du’Plessis Kirifi*
Kirifi has finally been given his call up after serving the Hurricanes for a number of years. He first got a taste of the All Black environment in 2020 and has played for the All Blacks XV. A specialist openside, Kirifi finished with 22 breakdown steals this season but it was work protecting the ball that also deserves mention. He hit 144 defensive rucks and 294 attacking rucks while topping the tackle attempts in the competition. Savea is expected to start at openside, having a second specialist is necessary when Savea will be rested at times or play at No.8.
Quinn Tupaea
The Chiefs’ second five-eighth returns to the All Blacks for the first time since 2022 beating out a host of midfield candidates. The 26-year-old had the world at his feet three years ago when he started against Ireland in the first Test at Eden Park. After the infamous Melbourne Bledisloe that season in his 14th Test where he suffered a serious leg injury, it’s been a long road back for Tupaea. Deserving of a recall, Tupaea is a natural midfielder who has been a great form for the Chiefs. No doubt he will cherish his 15th Test cap when it comes.
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Brodie McAlister*
Robertson and Jason Ryan will be very familiar with McAlister with the Chiefs’ hooker coming through the Crusaders and Canterbury system when the pair were coaches there. He moved to the Chiefs this year after 41 caps for the Crusaders and as part of a form pack has earned a call up as a 28-year-old. With Asafo Aumua injured, McAlister has risen to become a bolter pick in 2025 taking the third hooker spot.
Ollie Norris*
The 25-year-old has impressed during Super Rugby over the last few seasons and now the All Blacks coaches believe the rookie is ready for the next level with Ofa Tu’ungafasi unavailable. He powered a dominant Chiefs scrum this season, despite some troubles against the Crusaders in the final. This is the first All Blacks squad he has been named in, despite having featured for the Maori All Blacks.
*Denotes uncapped
Losers
Leroy Carter
Just two specialist wingers were named in the squad, Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece, with Robertson opting for players with versatility. On form, Carter outgunned Clarke in Super Rugby, but Clarke brings runs on the board at the international level.
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Carter can feel disappointed after putting a compelling case together in his first season since switching codes from the All Blacks Sevens. He was one of the top try scorers with nine and showed game-breaking ability as the Chiefs made a title run, falling just short in the final. At 25-years-old Carter still has more time to break into the All Blacks.
Ethan Blackadder
A Crusaders fan favourite and a loose forward selection last year, Blackadder has missed the first squad of the year. Samipeni Finau was named as the specialist No.6, with Luke Jacobson also a versatile option. His teammate Christian Lio-Willie has been named as injury cover, meaning Blackadder has fallen down the pecking order. The hard working loose forward started at No.6 in the final over the weekend, but it looks like the selectors prefer Finau, who was in-and-out of the starting Chiefs line up all season.
David Havili
The first ever back to led the Crusaders to a title, Havili was back in vintage touch for the Crusaders this year. A fullback-turned-midfielder, Havili brings a kicking game out of hand to the midfield and handy distribution. That was deemed surplus to requirements for the All Blacks, who turned to Quinn Tupaea for an All Black recall. Havili couldn’t have done any more, but after being around the squad last year and getting no game time, the selectors clearly want a diversified mix of midfielders.
AJ Lam
The form back at the Blues this year, Lam was a dark horse for this first squad. When the Blues needed a spark, Lam was able to provide with line breaking ability and hard carries at No.12. Lam went on the end of year tour with the All Blacks last year, indicating he wasn’t far off, or at the very least, in consideration heading into 2025. He will have to wait longer to get his opportunity in a crowded midfield space.
Kyle Preston
Many would not expect Preston’s name to be read on Monday afternoon, but there are a few reasons why he should still be considered on this list. The first is that neither Cortez Ratima or Noah Hotham are that convincing as young All Blacks. They both blow hot and cold and neither really stood out as exceptional during the Super Rugby Pacific final. The gap between those two and the next halfback up is very slim.
The second reason is that Preston offers something different as a No.9, a pure passer with reliable service. All three of the current All Blacks halfbacks seem to be similar, Roigard is a runner, Hotham is a runner, Ratima is more balanced but lacks the complete kicking game and execution.
The All Blacks need a No.9 who will close out games with precision, perfect decision-making and control. That means zero poor exits. That means a contestable box kick when they absolutely need a contestable box kick. That means not getting sacked, stripped or charged with possession at the base of the ruck. The jury is out whether Hotham or Ratima are capable of being this halfback.
Injury cover – Lio-Willie for Jacobson, Emoni Narawa for ALB
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Surely Simon Parker has to top the unlucky list. Constantly picked ahead of Finau by the Chiefs and with immense size for a loosie akin to Peter Steph. Unfortunately an ankle injury a few weeks ago saw him miss out on the opportunity to continue to impress in the last two games, opening the door for Finau. Very disappointed for him.
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Ethan Blackadder should have been picked ahead of Finau. He was one of the real stand outs in the Super Rugby Final . What did Finau do ? He came second and was part of a pack that was monstered by the red and black machine up front. Ethan was leading the way in that.As article says , Kyle Preston is breathing down the others neck at halfback. He played so well when he got the chance early in the comp for the Crusaders.
i wonder how many test tanatananawi will get or he end up like peter gus socola with hardly any
The first paragraph of this article states “showed form is valuable” referring to the selection process. I don’t believe this is true. When selecting the loose forwards I think the selection was decided prior to the finals. This is evident in the omissions of Blackadder and Lio Willie who were the form loose forwards.
David Havili might not be anyone’s pick to start a test but his form is undeniable, his presence would make selecting fresh faces in the centres more stable, something James O’Conner did the No. 10’s for the Crusaders.
Unless I watched a different finals “in form” is not how I would describe Ioane , he hasn’t impressed with the ball since pre World Cup, Finau and Jacobson failed to make a presence during the Final and were completely outplayed by their Red & Black counterparts.
I hope the “strategic “ selections pay off.
Blackadder, busy but ineffective. Jump on the super rugby stats page on this site and do a player comparison between him and Finau. Tells you all you need to know. Razor even said it himself.
Speaking to Sportnation, Robertson highlighted the need for effectiveness in contact against what will likely be a giant French pack.
“The big thing for Ethan is he’s just starting to play footy consistently. We look at all parts of the game. He’s very physical, he’s got great stats, high stats, but it’s the actual impact of them. So, converting those stats to post-carry metres, dominant tackles, and being clean and disciplined.
Havilli got tossed around like a rag doll against the big boys. Robertson has clearly worked out that real muscle is required in midfield for test matches. Havillis form in test matches is totally deniable. SR isnt the yardstick
Jacobson had an enormous season, objectively - his selection is a good one. Finau is picked on potential, athleticism and his frame…he’s a worthy project, i’d quite like him to spend some time in the second row for Chiefs next year and imporve his grunt work.
I do understand the disappointment for Havili and Blackadder though, both big parts of a successful Crusaders team. Both have been in the ABs camp for years
so coaches/selectors know them pretty well.
At the end of the semi final Blues are neck deep in phases running out of ball carriers with low numbers after defending for what seemed like forever Reiko made 3 carries in like a couple of minutes right into the teeth of it….as did Caleb (who got them momentum) kind of invaluable stuff in tight games I reckon
I can understand Clarke getting the nod for his test track record, but don’t know how Reece got the nod over Narawa after his poor performance at test level last year. He looks great in SR , in fact I was a big fan, but his decision making and defence have been proven inadequate.
Reece regularly plays both wings as did Telea reckon too bringing in wingers to the team a lot easier to do than other positions potentially
Good article except for the bit about Norris - “powered a dominant Chiefs scrum”. Both points invalid on Sat in the SRP final.
Champ, how did you miss this one? Exactly what the article said and I quote “…despite some troubles against the Crusaders in the final.”
Kyle Preston? Are you kidding
Sure he’s competent but to say Ratima isn’t convincing
AJ Lam yeah forgot about him
Great player and also Blues player of the year Fusitua
Couldn’t agree more with Ben. Kyle brings a lot more than Noah and Cortez. Both awesome players but I think Kyle brings a maturity and edge that would compliment our number one Cam!
I know Kyle looks good but hasn’t played enough games and or set those games on fire so much that he deserves all the shout outs ..for me Cortez just got to play with a bit more of an attitude young Hotham got plenty of that ditto Roigard
All Blacks going to go for big impact from the bench this year so have chosen versatile players to make up the squad
I kept on picking Lam as I saw him as that utility legit 12 13 both wings and had played physical all year not mad tho
Ben Smith posted some interesting stats on the nz 12's in his latest article. Lam was a beast all season. He had the highest dominant carry% and gainline success% as well as highest % of drawing in 2 tacklers.