All Blacks great backs huge Dave Rennie call as world’s best player set to be ‘confronted’ by Kiwi powerhouse
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and All Blacks front-rower Asafo Aumua.
Murray Mexted insists Asafo Aumua deserves his All Blacks starting berth and believes it has set up a thrilling battle against Springboks star Malcolm Marx.
South Africa’s front-rower is officially the best player in the sport, having been named World Rugby Player of the Year at the end of 2025, but Mexted is confident that the New Zealander is ready for the fight.
It has taken a while for Aumua to reach his potential, but the Hurricanes powerhouse is now starting to show why he was so highly rated at U20 level all those years ago.
He has been exceptional for the All Blacks as an impact player this year, but the 29-year-old now gets a chance in the run-on side after Codie Taylor was omitted by Dave Rennie.
The decision to leave Taylor out is partly as a result of Aumua’s performances in 2026 but also due to Rennie’s realisation that freshness is key and the Test centurion needs a rest.
Dynamic duo
Samisoni Taukei’aho has come onto the bench, another player who does not lack dynamism in what could be a formidable one-two punch against the Springboks this weekend.
At the moment, Taukei’aho is third choice but Mexted does not believe there is much between them, stating he doesn’t think the Chiefs star is “biding his time.”
However, the former New Zealand number eight does reckon that Aumua is the right option to start, even if there are concerns about his lineout throwing in comparison to the other two.
“I think he’s (Taukei’aho) up there, he’s an option there’s no doubt about it, but you would have to say that Aumua was the player of the last Test, he was powerful,” Mexted told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.
“The other thing about Aumua, and I’m only reading it as I’m not inside the team, I’m looking at comments of how strong he is and how powerful he is in the gym.
“He’s one of my graduates so I know exactly what he’s like as a man and a player, and he’s much more powerful than when he was a young fellow, but he’s effective too.
“He’s got an attitude that’s abrasive, a really abrasive attitude, so I think this is just out-and-out reward [for his form].”
All Blacks’ lineout problems
There were lineout issues in the second Test as a couple of Taylor’s throws went awry, but Mexted is adamant that Rennie’s selection is not a slight on the great hooker.
Instead, the All Blacks head coach has set up an intriguing head-to-head between two incredibly dynamic players.
“There’s nothing wrong with the way Codie Taylor’s been playing, he’s been sensational for how many years now, so this is rewarding performance and isn’t that what everyone wants?” Mexted added.
“Malcolm Marx is going to find someone really confronting him, he will confront Malcolm Marx. This will be a hell of a bloody clash. I can’t wait, I’m getting excited now!”
