All Blacks team: Winners and losers as Scott Robertson ‘sticks his neck out’ with shock selections but creates ‘rather confusing’ back-row situation
Quinn Tupaea and Wallace Sititi in action for the All Blacks in 2025.
Scott Robertson has named his All Blacks team to tackle the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship clash in Perth and we pick out our winners and losers.
New Zealand’s head coach has been forced into several changes due to injury but Robertson has also made some bold calls as they look to finally put in a top quality performance after a mixed 2025 so far.
Winners
Quinn Tupaea
Can cover both centre positions but he has rarely played 13 over the past few seasons, certainly since recovering from that horrific injury sustained in the 2022 Bledisloe Cup. It is a slightly surprising move from the usually conservative Robertson, who is sticking his neck out this weekend.
Billy Proctor has, in truth, not nailed down the position after coming in for Rieko Ioane at the start of the Test season, but the All Blacks head coach stated that Proctor is “a bit banged up”, giving Tupaea a shot after an impressive cameo last weekend.
Simon Parker
With Scott Barrett returning, Patrick Tuipulotu back fit and Fabian Holland this year’s breakout star, Parker could have given way, but the coaches are obviously liking what the Chiefs back-row is bringing to the team. He is your archetypal modern day blindside and, while he is not yet truly excelling at this level, the 25-year-old certainly has the armoury to do so.
Parker has put in several mammoth shifts since making his debut against Argentina and has very much cemented his place in the 23 as a result. He has been huge on defence and at close quarters, but Robertson will hope for slightly more from the 25-year-old against the Wallabies, particularly when it comes to really dominating those collisions.
Peter Lakai
After his breakthrough performance against France in last year’s November international, his continued omission in 2025 has been staggering, which in some ways makes his elevation to the starting XV now rather confusing. Still, in a roundabout way, the right decision has been reached and Lakai is finally getting his opportunity for the All Blacks.
Injury initially disrupted his Test campaign but he has been available since the start of the Rugby Championship and it was only last week that the 22-year-old was given a chance from the bench. Starting at number eight, Lakai will be tasked with getting the visitors over the gain line, while he also provides a breakdown threat alongside Ardie Savea.
Leicester Fainga’anuku
It seems that New Zealand Rugby have deemed that there are now enough injuries in the All Blacks squad to allow Robertson to pick the returning Crusaders star. Having gone back home after 18 months in Toulon, it was suggested that the governing body were blocking the head coach from bringing Fainga’anuku into the 23 but, after Caleb Clarke sustained an ankle problem, he has few options left.
That means the powerhouse back gets a chance on the left wing where his ability to make hard yards in contact will be invaluable. However, as is the case in the modern game, it is the aerial work which will define the wing and he must be solid under the high ball.
Rieko Ioane
Injuries have seemingly paved Ioane’s way back into the 23 with the axed Leinster-bound star returning to the squad for the second Bledisloe Cup encounter. The selection makes complete sense, given that he can feature at either centre or wing, but it will be fascinating to see how much game time he gets in Perth and where he plays.
That will be instructive as to where Robertson sees the 28-year-old in the New Zealand pecking order. His Test career is certainly not teetering on the brink, but he very much needs to take this opportunity ahead of the November internationals.
Losers
Ruben Love
No doubt the young playmaker will be delighted to be back in the 23 but there was plenty of talk about him potentially starting, with pundits tipping him for a role at fly-half following Beauden Barrett’s injury and Damian McKenzie’s mixed form. However, it wasn’t to be as McKenzie got the nod for this weekend’s contest.
It was probably the more sensible pick from the All Blacks boss considering McKenzie’s experience and the fact that the Rugby Championship title is still on the line, but the Chiefs man was hardly convincing when he came on at Eden Park. In fact, Barrett’s injury seemed to disrupt their attacking game completely and the 30-year-old never got it back on track. Love will therefore be slightly disappointed to miss out on a starting role.
Billy Proctor
Sport at the top level is pretty brutal. Fans and pundits spent much of 2024 urging Robertson to pick Proctor and when he eventually did at the start of this year, it didn’t take long for them to turn on the centre, urging the All Blacks boss to drop the Hurricanes star.
While he has improved defensively as the season has gone on, putting in a fine shift to shut down Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in Auckland, Proctor has failed to shine with the ball. Robertson has implied that he just wanted to give the Hurricanes back a rest but, by starting Tupaea ahead of him, a standout display from his replacement could see him remain out of the side.
Wallace Sititi
After an injury-disrupted 2025, it is fair to say that the youngster has not recaptured his 2024 form, where he was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. Sititi has not been as ubiquitous this season while his carrying has lacked impact at times, particularly in comparison to what he produced last year.
It could well be that his injury is still troubling him but, whatever it is, he has not been at his best since returning to the All Blacks 23. Robertson is therefore correct to put him on the bench and give Lakai a go, but he is there ready and waiting should the starting number eight not deliver.
Fabian Holland
On the surface, it feels like a harsh call to completely omit this year’s breakthrough star considering Holland’s performance level has not dropped since he made his debut, but Robertson could well be managing his minutes.
There is also the theory that if he is not starting then Tuipulotu offers much more as an impact player off the bench. Scott Barrett is the captain and Tupou Vaa’i the All Blacks lock in the best form so, if they opt against shifting the latter to blindside, then Holland is the unlucky one.
Injured quartet
New Zealand certainly counted the cost of their victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park with Beauden Barrett, Clarke, Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot all being ruled out through injury. It has not impacted the first XV too much, with McKenzie, Fainga’anuku, Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams all high quality replacements – on paper at least – but it will test their depth.