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The 11 All Blacks ranked between 41 and 100 on the RugbyPass Top 100 list
By Ian Cameron
Eleven All Blacks players have been selected between 41 and 100 on the RugbyPass Top 100 list, which ranks the sport’s best rugby players in 2024.
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The RugbyPass Top 100 rankings factor in on-field achievements, leadership, consistency, raw talent and off-field influence created with input from rugby writers and experts worldwide.
Caleb Clarke slots in at 85 after a return to form in 2024. Clarke’s devastating blend of pace and power on the wing has made him a standout for both the Blues and the All Blacks, earning him a spot ahead of notable names like South Africa’s Manie Libbok and Argentina’s Marcos Kremer.
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At 81, Sam Cane’s presence reflects his enduring influence on the All Blacks despite being stripped of the captaincy.
Despite criticism at times [think Peter O’Mahony], Cane’s defensive workrate remains remarkable. He places ahead of Argentina’s Julian Montoya and Wales’ Dewi Lake.
Hooker Codie Taylor is listed at 76. The outstanding No.2’s ranking places him among the list’s elite frontrowers, above the likes of France’s Julien Marchand and Scotland’s Zander Fagerson.
Emerging halfback talent Cam Roigard lands at 72, a testament to a meteoric rise over the course of the last 18 months. The Hurricanes halfback has brought a spark to the All Blacks with his sharp decision-making and electric runs, earning him a place above South Africa’s Damian Willemse and France’s Thomas Ramos.
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Damian McKenzie comes in at 66, with his trademark flair and versatility keeping him among the most exciting players in the game. ‘D-Mac’s’ ability to dictate play from either fullback or fly-half places him higher than Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe and England’s Owen Farrell.
In the front row, Tyrel Lomax earns his spot at 60, just ahead of Richie Mo’unga at 59. Lomax’s ranking reflects his rise as a cornerstone of New Zealand’s scrum, surpassing established internationals like Ireland’s Hugo Keenan and France’s Emmanuel Meafou.
Despite not being involved with the All Blacks currently, Mo’unga’s creativity and game management as a playmaker secure him a position above players like Australia’s Rob Valetini and South Africa’s Frans Malherbe.
Maybe controversially, Scott Barrett appears at 56, his ranking highlighting his consistent performances as one of the All Blacks’ most dependable forwards. The Crusaders lock edges out players like Wales’ Jac Morgan and France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
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Some argue Barrett – who can slot in at blindside – deserves a higher spot in the ranking.
Johnny Sexton’s nemesis Rieko Ioane is at 53. The 27-year-old is ranked above South Africa’s Jesse Kriel and Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn. He remains one of the most dangerous centres in the game.
Tupou Vaa’i is listed at 41. With 40 caps to his name at the age of just 24, Vaa’i’s athleticism and versatility have seen him develop into a key option in both the second and back rows for New Zealand. His ranking puts him 15 places ahead of fellow All-Black second-row Scott Barrett.
Players ranked 40 – 21 will be revealed on Monday, 9 December.
Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think!
is this just an article about another article from the same publisher?
Can't decide if this is the equivalent of a self high five/pat on the back.....or scrambling to justify the strange rankings.
Meaningless subjective list.
Picture made me laugh..
Rieko, that's Johnny Sexton over there.! 😁
Not worth anything. Roigard above Willemse just goes to show that the reporters who made it must all be soccer players. It's actually quite embarrassing how poor it is so far...
How many kiwi wife beaters made the top 50?
DP, here's a small list I quickly found online of South African sportsmen who have all represented their country, with the top two having played rugby for SA. They were all convicted & sentenced to prison, ranging from, a$$ualt, √ape, man$laughter & mu√der. To any South African reading this, Im not doing this to have a go at you guys or your country, certainly not, just wishing to make a point to DP, nothing more, nothing less.
Japie Mulder
Henry Tromp
Lebogang Shane
Dion Taljard
Makhaya Ntini
Oscar Pistorius
Ill ask Oscar Pistorius.
Zero!!!
Wife beaters? What on earth are you talking about!
The list lost credibility days ago already.
Aww South Africa being given a raw deal... again!?