Following the conclusion of the All Blacks’ international season, we rated every single player that Scott Robertson selected this year out of 10.
New Zealand endured a mixed campaign, with a poor Rugby Championship sandwiched in between a positive start and end. They will be disappointed that they relinquished the southern hemisphere title to the Springboks, but 2024 was mainly about rebuilding.
Robertson needed to find replacements for some of the greats of the game, who departed following the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and they did that by and large.
It has not been an easy year but the All Blacks can look towards 2025 hopeful that they can get back to the top of the World Rugby rankings for the first time since 2019.
In a season which ended with a record of 10 victories and four defeats, we rated each of the 42 players who pulled on the black jumper out of 10.
Outside backs
Will Jordan: Excellent at full-back for the All Blacks as he cemented his place in the 15 jersey having been moved there in the Rugby Championship. Missed the start of the season due to injury but was consistently excellent when he returned. 8
Caleb Clarke: Has finally stepped up to Test level to become a well-rounded player. Always had the ability with ball in hand thanks to his frightening pace and power but Clarke has now added a solid defence and an excellent high ball game to his repertoire. It will be tough to shift from that left-wing spot in 2025. 8
Stephen Perofeta: Given a shot in the England series but became a peripheral figure as Robertson discovered how vital Beauden Barrett still is to the cause. Didn’t necessarily do anything wrong in his appearances but he hasn’t necessarily shown that he can be a key player for the All Blacks going forward. 5
Sevu Reece: In and out of the squad throughout the year as he struggled for consistency. There were some good moments from Reece, especially early in the campaign, but he struggled on the northern hemisphere tour. That third France try, where he was burned by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, could be significant ahead of 2025. He needs an outstanding Super Rugby campaign otherwise that may end his Test career. 5
Mark Tele’a: Like Reece, Tele’a struggled to nail down a spot but, overall, he had a more positive impact. The Blues flyer shone in every England game, and was particularly key to their win in November, but Robertson didn’t entirely trust the 27-year-old. Next year will be vital looking towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. 6
Ruben Love: The youngster’s time will come but, at the moment, the Hurricanes star will just have to bide his time. In his only Test appearance, Love came off the bench to touch down on two occasions against Japan, but New Zealand have a number of options at 10 and 15 at the moment, which meant Robertson did not call on him again. 5
Emoni Narawa: Perhaps the most unfortunate player this year having starred for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and then for Bay of Plenty in the NPC. Had just 21 minutes of action against Fiji but Narawa could be handed more of a chance next year due to the doubts about Tele’a and Reece. 3
Centres
Rieko Ioane: A consistent presence in the midfield but there were very few, if any, standout performances from the centre. Has defended well and Robertson obviously likes him, but Ioane needs to do much more in 2025 if he is to keep his place. 5
Jordie Barrett: Missed a couple of games due to injury but was selected when fit. Barrett didn’t have an absolutely stellar year, particularly in comparison to 2023, but the centre’s levels have still been very high. A threat on both sides of the ball. 7
Billy Proctor: Another who perhaps should have played more because, when Proctor did feature, the centre showed what he can do. Was impressive against both Fiji and Japan, but he didn’t get any opportunities against the bigger nations. 6
Anton Lienert-Brown: Was excellent against the Wallabies in the final round of the Rugby Championship, but that was the best it got in an otherwise middling campaign. Another player whose place could be under threat in 2025. 5
David Havili: A few minutes here and there but the Crusaders’ utility was barely noticeable when on the field. In truth, it felt like a wasted selection from Robertson. The head coach is clearly a big fan having worked with him in Christchurch, but Havili was simply not in form. 3
Fly-halves
Damian McKenzie: The fly-half wasn’t as bad as some made out but, clearly, the way he operated hampered the rest of the All Blacks backline. However, individually, there were some fine displays, with the highlight coming in the victory over Ireland, where he seemed to finally learn how to control a game at the highest level. 7
Beauden Barrett: An outstanding season for the New Zealand legend, who performed superbly wherever he played. Was effectively the sole reason why they defeated England 2-0 in the July series before he stepped in at fly-half at the end of the Rugby Championship and in the northern hemisphere tour. 9
Harry Plummer: Three minutes and that was it. Also featured for the second-string All Blacks XV against Munster before signing for Clermont Auvergne, thus effectively ending his Test career. 3
Scrum-halves
Cam Roigard: Only returned to action towards the end of the season but, in those few games, Roigard suggested that he could be the long-term heir to Aaron Smith. The 24-year-old played five matches for the All Blacks in 2024, with three of them starts, and was outstanding in every one. 8
Noah Hotham: If he has a good season for the Crusaders in 2025 then more game time beckons for Hotham. Highly rated by everyone in New Zealand but he only featured in one match – against Fiji in July. The playmaker did well in that clash but he did not get any more action. 4
TJ Perenara: His final season in Test rugby after committing his long-term future in Japan. Perenara will go down as an All Blacks great and he filled in when required this year, but he struggled to find his best in 2024. 5
Cortez Ratima: Shone in the Rugby Championship, showing that he has the skills required for Test rugby, but the 23-year-old struggled on their northern tour. A mixed first season for Ratima but he will have learned plenty heading into 2025. 6
Finlay Christie: Played twice against England, and was particularly good off the bench in the first Test, but he soon slipped down the pecking order. Does a job but probably lacks the top-end talent and, with Roigard, Ratima and Hotham all coming through, it might be better if Christie starts searching for a lucrative move overseas. 4
Loose forwards
Ardie Savea: Another wonderful season from the back-rower, who maintained a high level throughout the year. Savea lost his World Rugby Player of the Year crown as he did not quite reach those standards in 2024, but he was not far off. 8
Wallace Sititi: What a find for Robertson. The new head coach received heavy criticism for picking the youngster over the in-form Hoskins Sotutu, but his decision was justified as Sititi burst onto the scene with a series of remarkable performances. Won the Breakthrough Player of the Year award for his displays and we’re excited to see what the 22-year-old will do over the next few years. 9
Sam Cane: Lost the captaincy and announced that 2024 would be his final Test season, but Cane proved his worth to the All Blacks. After he returned from injury in the Rugby Championship, the flanker became a key part of the team. His leadership was vital, while he also did some superb work in defence and at the breakdown. 8
Dalton Papali’i: Injury hampered the Blues star in what was an underwhelming Test season but, even up to that point, Papali’i struggled to shine. With Cane definitely gone in 2025, that openside spot is available once again, but he missed out on the chance to lock it down this year. 4
Samipeni Finau: Hyped up as the possible answer at blindside at the start of the season, but that failed to materialise. Dropped following a couple of mediocre displays against England in July and was only really seen again on the northern hemisphere tour. Impressed versus Japan, though, and earned a bench spot for the next two matches before being handed a starting role against France. However, he unfortunately only lasted a minute in Paris after suffering a head injury. 5
Ethan Blackadder: Injury once again hampered his campaign. Blackadder did play well when selected but he just can’t seem to stay fit for long enough. Robertson will always keep him in mind, but he needs a clear run of it in Super Rugby next year to be considered for Test duty again. 6
Peter Lakai: Played very little for the All Blacks but, when handed an opportunity, the 21-year-old looked a real talent. Lakai had a huge task when he came on for Finau after just a minute against France but he was superb in that game. Has surely moved himself up the pecking order as a result. 6
Luke Jacobson: Was often used as a bench option due to his versatility, but he struggled to make an impact when on the field. Jacobson then suffered an injury to rule him out of the northern hemisphere tour, which summed up a disappointing year for the Chiefs star. 4
Locks
Scott Barrett (c): In his first year as national team captain, the second-row led well while also showing his customary physicality in the tight exchanges. Wasn’t quite at his 2023 form but it was a big learning curve for Barrett, who will be better in 2025. 7
Patrick Tuipulotu: Injury limited his appearances in the Rugby Championship but the big Blues powerhouse has been excellent when on the field. In the northern hemisphere tour, Tuipulotu was generally used as an impact replacement and did the job superbly, especially in the England clash. 7
Tupou Vaa’i: After an underwhelming start to the Test season, Vaa’i found his form in the Rugby Championship to suggest that he could be in the All Blacks’ XV long-term. The 24-year-old wasn’t quite as effective later in the year, but still very much ends the campaign in credit. 7
Sam Darry: Has shown enough promise to suggest that he could be an effective Test player, but the Blues man gradually drifted down the pecking order. Next year will be key for Darry as he looks to kick on and force his way into the 23 on a regular basis. 5
Josh Lord: Coaches rate him highly even when injuries have disrupted his career. Lord’s constant physical issues have prevented him from progressing and, as a result, his game time has been limited. Hopefully, 2025 can signal a change in his fortunes and the 23-year-old can become an All Blacks regular. 3
Hookers
Asafo Aumua: A breakthrough campaign for the powerful and athletic front-rower, who has started to fulfil his potential. Aumua’s set-piece work is much improved and Robertson has therefore been able to rely on him coming off the bench. Also started against Ireland when Codie Taylor was injured and produced his best Test performance. 7
George Bell: Made his debut against Fiji and followed that up with his second cap in the win over Fiji. With Taylor not getting any younger, Bell could well get more game time in 2025 but, at the moment, he has to bide his time. 3
Codie Taylor: Rolled back the years with some exceptional displays, especially in the Rugby Championship. The lineout was an issue in the July series but that was eventually corrected and Taylor duly became a key cog in the pack. 8
Props
Tyrel Lomax: One of the world’s best tightheads, who showed his class throughout 2024. Does his work in the loose but Lomax is very much there for his set-piece excellence where he locks down his side of the scrum. A superb prop that continues to get better. 8
Pasilio Tosi: Was a surprise selection in Robertson’s first wider training squad and few thought he would get much time on the field, but he ended the year as a reliable option off the bench. That was due to some fine displays at the end of the Rugby Championship and on the northern hemisphere tour. 6
Ofa Tu’ungafasi: A powerhouse scrummager who often made an impact off the bench. Only used as a replacement but for good reason as Tu’ungafasi added plenty when coming on in the second period. 7
Ethan de Groot: Prior to the season, De Groot was considered one of the premier looseheads in the game, but he endured an underwhelming campaign. An injury limited his Rugby Championship appearances before he failed to meet “internal standards” in Europe, ruling him out of the England clash. He returned for the final match of the year but the 26-year-old has work to do if he is to become first choice once again. 5
Tamaiti Williams: One of the reasons why Robertson didn’t feel the need to rush back De Groot was because of the form of Williams. The 24-year-old is well on the way to becoming a dominant force in the sport thanks to his work in both the loose and tight. The loosehead is first and foremost a superb scrummager but he matches that with his effort and athleticism around the field. Some talent. 8
Fletcher Newell: It shows the depth New Zealand have in the front-row that the excellent Newell found game time tough to come by in the latter part of the year. After feasting on England in July, he was expected to play a key role in the rest of the Test season, but that did not materialise. Injury hampered him in the second half of the Rugby Championship and that enabled Tosi to stake his claim. 5
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-blacks-2024-player-ratings-remarkable-youngster-justifies-controversial-scott-robertson-decision-as-all-42-players-marked
