Bold takeaway: The All Blacks’ 2025 forwards group had notable highs, with emerging talents and proven performers shaping a season that mixed promising breakthroughs with ongoing debates about rotation, injury impact, and leadership. Now, here’s a thoroughly reworded, beginner-friendly rewrite that preserves all key facts while expanding explanations and offering fresh phrasing.
Loose forwards
Ardie Savea: Once again formidable in influence and execution, Savea delivered big performances even if he wasn’t singled out for World Rugby Player of the Year or the Team of the Year. His pace and physicality remained outstanding, keeping the back row at a high standard throughout the year, though maybe not as dominant as in some previous campaigns. Overall rating: 8.
Christian Lio-Willie: Surged from outside the squad to start two Tests against France and performed well, yet he faded from sight during the Rugby Championship and the early stages of the northern hemisphere tour. He did come on as a substitute in the season finale versus Wales, but 2025 was confusing for judging his place in Robertson’s plans. Overall rating: 5.
Du’Plessis Kirifi: Finally earned a Test cap after years of standout Super Rugby form. While not overwhelmed, he also did not produce a standout highlight reel, leading to a sense that 2026 could be the real proving ground for his international prospects. Overall rating: 5.
Samipeni Finau: Possesses the build and speed to be a top-level flanker, but 2025 proved another frustrating season, with early chances failing to translate against a weakened French side and inconsistent opportunities later on. Overall rating: 4.
Wallace Sititi: Recovered from injury early in the year, which disrupted Super Rugby and the All Blacks’ campaign. When fit again, he found form gradually on the northern hemisphere tour, showing signs of the 2024 form but not quite reaching that peak. Overall rating: 7.
Simon Parker: An injury kept him out of the France series, but once fit, he was trusted to debut at number eight against Argentina. He remained a solid contributor at blindside, though the breakthrough performance many hoped for remained elusive. Overall rating: 6.
Dalton Papali’i: Gradually slipped down the pecking order under Robertson and logged limited Test minutes. He was listed with the second-string All Blacks XV in November, prompting questions about his long-term international role. Overall rating: 3.
Peter Lakai: After a standout 2024 November tour, his delayed selection finally came, and he seized the opportunity, finishing the year as the All Blacks’ first-choice number eight. Overall rating: 7.
Locks
Fabian Holland: Some players just fit immediate, seamless fits in Test rugby, and Holland proved to be one of them. Debuting against France, he became a constant presence and earned World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year honors, a rare early-career landmark that signals a bright horizon. Overall rating: 8.
Scott Barrett: As captain, his leadership drew scrutiny, yet his performances remained solidly high by standard benchmarks. It’s possible the responsibility weighed on him a touch, and there’s speculation that leadership may switch hands in 2026. Overall rating: 6.
Patrick Tuipulotu: Injuries limited him again, preventing a full-season impact. He continues to be the reliable bench option and a steady presence, but the time away from action was a bigger blow than anticipated. Overall rating: 6.
Tupou Vaa’i: Maintained excellent form from the previous year, showing versatility by performing well at both lock and blindside. An injury curtailed his November involvement, underscoring how much the team missed his dynamic presence. Overall rating: 8.
Josh Lord: Injuries opened doors for others, but Lord stepped up by starting all four November Tests and delivering solid performances. With continued fitness, he could become a mainstay in 2026. Overall rating: 6.
Sam Darry: A tough start to 2025 with a serious injury, followed by a comeback via NPC and a couple of end-of-year appearances. He produced key moments against Scotland but didn’t land a defining impact in the England defeat. Overall rating: 4.
Other forwards notes
- The squad’s depth in the forwards was evident, especially across the front row and lock combinations, giving Robertson multiple configuration options for different opponents.
- Injury interruptions shaped selection and rotation decisions, highlighting the need for squad-wide durability and effective bench impact.
Hookers
Codie Taylor: A veteran presence who remains a dependable starter, especially in the set-piece. His consistency kept the hooker role stable for Robertson across most matches. Overall rating: 7.
Samisoni Taukei’aho: The standout impact option off the bench, Taukei’aho delivered influential performances when introduced and left a strong impression across several finishes. Overall rating: 8.
Brodie McAlister: Earned a brief try-scoring debut in the third France Test but did not receive further opportunities. His early promise wasn’t capitalized on enough for more game time. Overall rating: 4.
George Bell: A highly regarded youngster whose limited Super Rugby exposure translated to only a handful of Test minutes as a substitute against Wales. Overall rating: 3.
Props
Fletcher Newell: Faced a demanding task filling the void left by Tyrel Lomax’s injury and performed commendably, especially against France, with several standout moments. He’s not yet at the absolute elite tier among tightheads, but the trajectory is strong. Overall rating: 7.
Ethan de Groot: Improved scrummaging compared with 2024, though not yet at his peak seen under earlier coaching. His all-around impact remained more limited in 2025. Overall rating: 6.
Ollie Norris: Spent three matches as a winger-turned-speed option off the bench early, then struggled to secure further opportunities due to Tamaiti Williams’ return and later injuries. Overall rating: 5.
Pasilio Tosi: Developed into a key piece in a formidable front-row trio on the bench, sharing the load with Taukei’aho and Williams. This trio provided real punch in the latter halves of games. Overall rating: 7.
Tyrel Lomax: A season blighted by injuries, with an undercooked return in the few starts he managed. A full pre-season could see him rebound to his best by mid-2026. Overall rating: 4.
George Bower: At 33, he celebrated his first professional try in Perth and contributed mainly as reliable cover, offering solid depth when needed. Overall rating: 5.
Tamaiti Williams: Widely regarded as the best loosehead in New Zealand, Robertson used him as the impact option off the bench, while De Groot covered from the start. Williams made a substantial late-season impact, underscoring his high ceiling. Overall rating: 8.
Final note
The 2025 All Blacks forwards squad blended seasoned leadership, emerging talent, and strategic bench power. The year highlighted the importance of injury resilience, consistent selection, and adaptation as the team builds toward future campaigns. Thoughts on these assessments? Do you agree with the emphasis on Williams and Holland as breakout and breakthrough players, or would you prioritize different performers given deeper data from the season? Share your views in the comments.
