Mark Tele'a made the right call but the All Blacks won't suffer

Mark Tele’a made the right call by signing a deal in Japan effectively ending his time in the black jersey and with the Blues.

The 28-year-old is still in the prime of his playing days, but the late bloomer deserves to cash in on his market value.

Don’t forget Tele’a hasn’t made the money of a Rieko Ioane over his career. He wasn’t signed to a deal out of high school, in fact he didn’t get to a Super team until he was 23. He wasn’t in the system and his career may not have even got going if he did not persist with it.

That means that despite being the world’s best wing over the last couple of years, Tele’a would not have been paid handsomely, or what he could have made. Approaching his 30s, Tele’a deserves to make as much yen as possible having made the top level so late.

Despite that, his stretch with the All Blacks from 2022-25 is almost the same length as Julian Savea whose All Black career was effectively from 2012-16. He was recalled in 2017 for the Lions tour for the last Test before departing to France.

Life of an All Black wing is short lived. Tele’a defied all odds to make it. Now its time to secure his future.

Scott Robertson’s looming issue is that the oldest wings in New Zealand, Tele’a and Sevu Reece, are currently the best options. Reece like Tele’a will likely look at offshore options after his contract ends after 2026.

This position group will see new faces before the 2027 Rugby World Cup which is the intriguing part. There are no shortage of quality of wingers who can fill the shoes of Tele’a.

Blues wing Caleb Clarke is a guarantee, if he decides to stick around. The 26-year-old power winger is on a one-year extension with NZR due to expire at the end of 2025. With Reece and Tele’a likely to both move on, retaining Clarke is a priority.

Leicester Fainga’anuku, currently with Toulon in France, has been signed to a two-year deal that will see him in New Zealand until the end of 2027. He will be back with the Crusaders in 2026 and no doubt will be in black shortly after.

Clarke and Fainga’anuku both fit the mould of the power left wing that the All Blacks prefer.

One of the candidates who probably isn’t top of the list right now, but no doubt could become a similar weapon like Tele’a is two-Test All Black Emoni Narawa.

It’s nearly been two years since his debut against Argentina in Mendoza. He was supposed to be at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France before a back injury derailed his campaign.

With the Chiefs last year he produced a few stunning displays, one against Moana Pasifika that stands out. He’s not starting often for the Chiefs right now with All Blacks Sevens convert Leroy Carter enjoying a run of starts.

We haven’t yet seen the best of Narawa and at 25-years-old his time is now.

The Chiefs’ outside back riches include the 2023 unofficial MVP Shaun Stevenson, who is off-contract after this year, and Etene Nanai-Seturo, currently sidelined with injury.

Stevenson debuted for the All Blacks in 2023 like Narawa on the right wing, but was not favoured by the new coaching group in 2024.

The next couple of years are huge for 25-year-old Nanai-Seturo who could burst into national selection, while Stevenson’s future in New Zealand is uncertain.

The true bolter candidate is 6’2 speedster and ex-All Black Sevens rep Caleb Tangitau who has burst onto the Super Rugby scene this year with the Highlanders after moving down from the Blues.

He has six tries this season and has the third most clean breaks with 13 and the eighth most defenders beaten with 24. Already a fantasy star, Tangitau should produced these numbers for years to come headed into 2027. History shows these stat-topping wingers are ready-made All Blacks.

His Highlanders teammate Timoci Tavatavanawi has been thrust into the All Black midfield debate after starring at No.12. He’s no stranger to topping stat charts as the competition’s former hardest man to tackle.

As a winger candidate, Tavatavanawai now brings versatility to the squad which is a big plus for him. But at 27-years-old, he’s up against it with the age barrier.

The dark horse is Kyren Taumoefolau of Moana Pasifika and Tongan international. He debuted for the Ikale Tahi at the 2023 Rugby World Cup as a 19-year-old and has been sensational this season.

Still just 21-year-old, Taumoefolau possesses a rare combination of speed, size and power. His comments on his desire to wear black will have reached the ears of the All Black selectors.

His stand down period will lapse next year and the 6’3 winger out of Tasman will be able to be picked by Scott Robertson.

In the capital, Kini Naholo has been a superb finisher over the last couple of seasons. However, the brother of ex-All Black Waisake will have to go to another level to get in the door with Clarke and Fainga’anuku already in the room as left wing options.

The opportunity appears to be more on the right side, where the All Blacks have preferred fullbacks-turned-wings in the past. Ben Smith, Cory Jane and more recently Will Jordan during the early part of his international career.

With Tele’a’s departure now confirmed there will be new moves made by the All Blacks to find a winning combination out wide for 2027 but as ever, there is no shortage of talent available.