Rating every All Blacks forward in 2025: Rookie the ‘big positive’ for Scott Robertson while Ardie Savea not quite as ‘dominant’
Ardie Savea and Scott Barrett (inset) in action for the All Blacks in 2025.
Following the conclusion of the All Blacks’ 2025 international season, we rated every single player that Scott Robertson selected this year out of 10.
We start off with the forwards, who had plenty of impressive moments. Particularly in the front five, New Zealand proved that they have a healthy supply of props and locks.
The loose forward trio was slightly more difficult to get right but, in the likes of Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi and Ardie Savea, they still had some quality performers.
Loose forwards
Ardie Savea: Immense yet again, although not deemed worthy enough to be nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year or the Team of the Year. In fairness, Savea wasn’t quite as dominant as he has been, but the back-row still remained at a very high level. 8
Christian Lio-Willie: Came from outside the squad to start two Tests against France, where he played well, but he was nowhere to be seen in the Rugby Championship and the start of the northern hemisphere tour. Did come off the bench in their final game of the season against Wales, but it was an odd year for Lio-Willie – you don’t quite know where he stands in Robertson’s thinking. 5
Du’Plessis Kirifi: Finally got his Test opportunity after years of outstanding Super Rugby performances, but you could see why the previous coach, Ian Foster, was reluctant to pick him. Kirifi did not look out of his depth, but neither did the flanker particularly stand out and you rather think 2026 is a big campaign to prove his worth. 5
Samipeni Finau: Has all the physical traits to be a top-class player but it was once again a frustrating year for Finau. The flanker had a few chances at the start of the season but flattered to deceive against a severely weakened France outfit. 4
Wallace Sititi: Was plagued by injury for the first half of the year, which disrupted his Super Rugby season and the start of the All Blacks’ campaign. As a result, when he came back, he didn’t quite look match fit, but Sititi eventually found his groove on the northern hemisphere tour. It wasn’t quite the player we saw in 2024, but he was certainly getting there by the end of it. 7
Simon Parker: Injury meant he missed out on the France series but Robertson was quite happy to throw him in when fit and he made his Test debut against Argentina at number eight. Parker would continue to feature in the All Blacks back-row but primarily at blindside where he was solid rather than spectacular. We’re still waiting for that breakthrough game from the 25-year-old where he really shows his class. 6
Dalton Papali’i: Has gradually drifted down the pecking order under Robertson and played just 15 minutes of Test rugby. Papali’i was part of the second-string All Blacks XV in November, but you wonder whether his international days are numbered. 3
Peter Lakai: Given the back-rower’s impressive 2024 November tour, it took a surprisingly long time for him to get a look-in this season but, when Lakai eventually got an opportunity, he took it and ended the year as the All Blacks’ first choice number eight. 7
Locks
Fabian Holland: Some people just fit seamlessly into Test rugby and Holland was one of those players. After making his debut against France, the lock became a mainstay of the New Zealand side and was deservedly named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. For someone so young, he was mightily impressive and the big positive of the campaign. 8
Scott Barrett: The captain had his critics and you do wonder if the leadership role is weighing heavy on him. In terms of performances, they were still of a relatively high standard, but it’s not the Barrett we have become accustomed to over the years. It would not be a surprise if Savea takes over the captaincy next season. 6
Patrick Tuipulotu: Unfortunately, injuries hampered the Blues lock once again. Tuipulotu has become the ideal impact player off the bench, but he missed the second half of the Rugby Championship and the northern tour, which was perhaps a bigger blow than many realised at the time. 6
Tupou Vaa’i: Maintained his form from 2024 with some fine displays in 2025, whether at lock or blindside flanker. Vaa’i was another to suffer an injury that ruled him out of their November series and the All Blacks certainly missed him. 8
Josh Lord: Although injuries are a blow, they do provide opportunities for others, with Lord one of the beneficiaries of those absentees. He played all four November games and did well, so hopefully he stays fit for the entirety of 2026. 6
Sam Darry: The Blues second-row suffered a nasty injury at the start of 2025 which ruled him out of Super Rugby, but Darry returned to fitness in the NPC and featured twice in the end-of-year tour. There were a couple of important moments in the Scotland game but he couldn’t make the desired impact in the England loss. 4
Hookers
Codie Taylor: Is still an ever-present in the All Blacks XV despite being in his mid-30s. Taylor kept up his high standards, particularly in the set-piece, as he proved the perfect starter for Robertson’s side. 7
Samisoni Taukei’aho: While Taylor was the ideal hooker from the start, Taukei’aho was the perfect impact option off the bench and he enjoyed an outstanding season. The 28-year-old made a significant impression when he came onto the field in most matches that he played in. 8
Brodie McAlister: Made a try-scoring debut in the third Test against France but was not used after that. There was certainly promise in that cameo but not enough for Robertson to give McAlister more chances on the field. 4
George Bell: A very highly rated young player but he missed the majority of Super Rugby and that only led to a few minutes at Test level when he came off the bench against Wales. 3
Props
Fletcher Newell: Had a big job on his hands to fill the void left by the injured Tyrel Lomax and in general he did it rather well. Newell was excellent against France and had some superb moments after that, but he’s not quite reached the level of the best tightheads around. 7
Ethan de Groot: It was a better season than in 2024 with his scrummaging improving, but De Groot is still not the player he was under Foster. The loosehead just hasn’t been quite as dominant in the set-piece, while his impact in the loose was limited. 6
Ollie Norris: Three matches off the bench at the start of the season where Norris showed some promise but, once Tamaiti Williams returned, he did not really get an opportunity, with injury also hampering him later in the campaign. 5
Pasilio Tosi: Took a step forward this season after becoming part of an excellent front-row trio on the bench. Combined with the equally sizeable Taukei’aho and Williams, those three gave the All Blacks real punch in the second half of matches. 7
Tyrel Lomax: Injury, injury and more injury unfortunately for the tighthead, who had a horribly disrupted season. Lomax did start three matches but he looked undercooked in those games. The tighthead just needs a good pre-season under his belt and hopefully by July 2026 he will be back to his best. 4
George Bower: At the age of 33, Bower scored his first-ever professional try when he touched down against the Wallabies in Perth. Played a couple more matches but he was generally only there as cover, a job he did fairly well. 5
Tamaiti Williams: The Crusaders star is the best loosehead in New Zealand currently but Robertson, we think rightly, used him as an impact player. De Groot is certainly better to use from the start and that allows Williams to wreak havoc in the second period, which he did rather effectively for the most part. Another excellent season from the 25-year-old. 8
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