All Blacks: Scott Robertson releases 16 players but under-performing stars escape NPC duty

Louis Chapman Coombe 27 Aug 2025 9:56 AM

Scott Robertson watching the All Blacks warm-up — All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has released 16 of his squad back to their provincial clubs ahead of the latest round of the NPC.

Of the players sent back to their clubs for this weekend, none of them featured in Razor’s 23-man squad for their 29-23 defeat to Argentina on Saturday, but there is a welcome bit of injury news as one key man comes back into contention.

The All Blacks return to action the week after next, as they put their unbeaten record at Eden Park on the line against the Springboks.

All Blacks release 16 players for NPC duty

Bay of Plenty will welcome back front-rower Tevita Mafileo alongside back duo Emoni Narawa and Leroy Carter. Hooker Brodie McAlister will return to Canterbury, while lock Josh Lord returns to Taranaki.

Tasman and Otago will both see one All Black apiece return ahead of their clash on Saturday in the form of versatile back Timoci Tavatavanawai and front-rower George Bower.

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Wellington and Waikato will have the biggest contingent of players returning, with both clubs seeing four All Blacks return. For Wellington, they are buoyed by the returns of Kyle Preston, Peter Lakai, Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua, while Waikato also see Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau and Ollie Norris released back.

The inclusion of Lienert-Brown will come as a welcome boost for both Waikato and the All Blacks too, after the centre missed Test Two against Los Pumas with concussion. He has been an ever-present in the Razor era, with 16 Test caps to his name since the former Crusaders coach took the helm last year.

Rounding off the NPC returnees, powerhouse winger Caleb Clarke heads back to Auckland.