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'Might be a better 13': All Blacks' new centre gem uncovered against Fiji

Billy Proctor #13 of New Zealand All Blacks breaks a tackle by Semi Radradra #11 of Fiji during the first half of International Test between New Zealand All Blacks and Fiji at Snapdragon Stadium on July 19, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The All Blacks had six new debutants against Fiji but just one new starter in centre Billy Proctor, who wore the No 13 jersey for the first time.

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The 25-year-old had a memorable night, producing multiple line breaks, creating two tries and scoring one on debut in stellar performance.

His showing was so impressive that many believe he “might be better” than incumbent centre Rieko Ioane.

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Since 2022, Ioane has been the first choice No 13 taking over from the experienced pair Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Proctor’s ability to free up the wingers with brilliant distribution caught the eye of many All Blacks fans.

One wrote that the All Blacks have missed “physicality and distribution at centre” while another said that Proctor is the “best 13 since Goodhue”.

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Proctor was the first midfielder debutant to wear the No 13 jersey in his first Test since his brother Matt in 2018, while they became the 28th set of brothers to wear the black jersey.

The centre logged 96 run metres with four line breaks, eight defenders beaten, two try assists and one try which some believe might create a “genuine conundrum” for the All Blacks coaches.

Proctor described his debut as “surreal” on a special night in unique circumstances playing in the United States, a different experience to what most debutants have.

“Yeah it was pretty surreal. I guess it’s still settling in that, you know, just becoming an All Black,” he told media after his debut.

“I guess That’s every kiwi rugby players dream. It was an awesome occasion, cool stadium, you know, 30,000-odd there, fireworks, music.

As for work-ons after an almost perfect night, Proctor said he would have to come up with a better try celebration for next time.

“I got nothing up my sleeve i need to work on that I think, I got nothing,” he laughed.

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Comments

21 Comments
S
SM 298 days ago

Its all over for Reiko, only Auckland and Foster would pick a center who doesn't pass.

s
swivel 299 days ago

Would want to see a couple of starts in RC and then might be able to take over if Reiko still hasn’t got his hands moving by English nov game. Happy to see a share and Reiko gets to blast those Irish ears again next game

B
BlueMoonday 299 days ago

Reiko played a tough English side who put the AB's attack and defence under severe pressure the entire series.

On attack Reiko might struggle with distribution, but his elite speed presents a serious threat for opposition defences and that speed is also valuable when he is defending.

I'm not sure if Proctor would have coped with the pressure the English were putting on the AB's in the recent series.

s
swivel 299 days ago

Speed of mind and instincts, he probably reacts faster still through his ability and pedigree but Billy might be able to catch him.


Reiko didn’t even use his footwork speed against England, the Blues have made him slow

T
Tk 300 days ago

Reiko is one of the most natural finishers at 11 that I've ever seen. He's simply not a centre. IMHO with Billy at 13 and Reiko back to 11 the ABs will score more tries and lose nothing defensively.

a
asi 300 days ago

I know it’s 1 game (against Fiji) but proctor is an out and out 13 and he could be the missing piece in that all important 13 position. Watching him in SR and now his debut for the ABs, he just gets the nuances of playing at 13. He’s big, intelligent, skillful, runs good lines, tough, good distribution, strong on both attack and Defense and he’s got some quickness to him. If razor is serious about building his team towards the 2027 WC, Procter has to be the 13.. in time and with more tests under his belt, experience and all of the above will greatly improve and come 2027 he will be at his peak.. also, his combo with jordie at the hurricanes would also work in his favor.


Reiko has played okay in that 13 shirt and his pace is a big big weapon but that pace and power would be better utilized in the 11 shirt. traditionally, the ABs 11 shirt is all about pace and power and for me in this current squad, it’s either reiko or CC for that 11 shirt..

f
flyinginsectshrimp 300 days ago

Billy Proctor is the second coming of Conrad Smith.


He's an exceptional defensive player but also has the vision, speed and balance to break the line and/or put his wingers into perfect attacking positions. He's been a pleasure to watch this year and last.


As good as Ioane’s been, he still struggles to set up other players and doesn't have the defensive nous of Proctor.

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Chiefs Mana 299 days ago

Would argue that Reikos defence is the only thing he’s good at as a centre

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Toaster 299 days ago

Proctor missed 3/10 tackles

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DS 300 days ago

Forgetting that this was Fiji not England. The quicker service from Ratima allowed DMac more time to work some space for his centres. ALB made inroads at 12 not seen for many matches. That helped Proctor, with less defensive attention than Reiko usually gets outside handbrake Jordie. In short not comparing apples with apples.

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swivel 299 days ago

Fiji beat England and have bigger more powerful players

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JD Kiwi 300 days ago

We all know that Fiji didn't pose as big a challenge as England. But we've seen for years that Reiko hasn't mastered the all important decision making aspects of 13 whereas Billy seems to be a natural. He’s mastered level 1, now let's see how he goes against Argentina.

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BH 300 days ago

Rieko Ioane hasn’t scored a try all year at both Super and Test level. He has been excellent at defending however. I’d go with Proctor against Argentina and Australia to see how he goes.

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SadersMan 300 days ago

Yes, a great shift showing all the ingrained nuances & subtleties of an actual centre a la Conrad Smith, as opposed to transposed wingers like Tana & Reiko. Makes selections very interesting for the TRC.

D
DS 300 days ago

Or transposed wing Ma'a Nonu in the centres? But fullback to centre: MacDonald, Jordie, Havilli and even a league fullback is more disastrous.

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