The form All Blacks backline based only on Super Rugby Pacific

Gone are the days where All Blacks teams are selected on Super Rugby form. It’s all about experience, fit, culture, cohesion, in other words, a bit of politics and favouritism.

The form New Zealand Super Rugby player over the last two seasons has not been put into an All Black starting role.

In 2023 Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson had to carry tackle bags for nearly the entire year, making his debut in the final home Test of the season. In 2024 Blues No.8 Hoskins Sotutu wasn’t even picked.

There are some genuine reasons why form Super Rugby players aren’t instantly selected, Test rugby has become so conservative in nature that the style of game play is worlds away from Super Rugby.

The demands are totally different in some positions. While a winger might dominate the try scoring stakes in Super Rugby, if they have no aerial game and no kicking game they are of little use in a black jersey. If they aren’t versatile across multiple positions, they will fall down the pecking order to someone that is.

So the All Blacks backline that we will see in 2025 will be vastly different from what is the form Super Rugby Pacific backline.

However, solely based on Super Rugby form, this is the backline we would see.

9. Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)

The 10-cap All Black is the most dominant attacking No.9 in Super Rugby Pacific. He leads the competition with 14 try involvements, 11 try assists and three tries of his own, including a match-winner over the Highlanders in round 13. Roigard presents a running threat that adds another dimension around the ruck. He has a whopping 35 defenders beaten highlighting his evasiveness.

Roigard is also the front runner for the starting halfback role, so this is one position where form matches selection.

10. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

The dynamic D-Mac has been lights out in 2025 for a dominant Chiefs side. The reigning World Rugby Dream Team No.10 was in the MVP race for most of the season, holding second place behind Ardie Savea, who claimed the award with two rounds to go. That doesn’t detract from how good McKenzie has been, easily the best No.10 in New Zealand this season.

The Chiefs attack has the most points per game (39.2) and most tries per game (5.2) with McKenzie pulling the stings with this attack. His scored six tries of his own and made 10 line breaks with 49 defenders beaten.

It’s D-Mac at No.10 and no one else is close.

11. Leroy Carter (Chiefs)

The All Blacks Sevens rep has been a revelation this season for the Chiefs, with his hat-trick against Moana in round 15 propelling him to second on the season’s try scoring list with nine. That’s the most of any back, behind Force flanker Carlo Tizzano.

Carter’s power running built on his time in the brutal Sevens arena has translated over well to Super Rugby. The Chiefs have often worked well to put him in space, but he still has 35 defenders beaten with 12 line breaks. His breakout try against the Crusaders in Christchurch highlights his instinctual finishing ability.

On form he would be the All Blacks left wing, but this is one of those selections that is hard to make. Caleb Clarke hasn’t had his best year for the Blues but was great for the All Blacks in 2024. It will be form vs reputation, and Robertson has a track record of making conservative selections.

Honorable mention: Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)

12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders) 

Defensive concerns aside, Tavatavanawai’s strengths outweigh everything else. As a midfielder this season, the Highlanders co-captain has produced eye-popping performances with a stunning 20 breakdown steals. In addition he has four tackle turnovers and one other for a total of 25.

There isn’t a player in the world has stolen more ball at the rate Tavatavanawai has. How valuable is that unique ability to have the world’s best jackal in the midfield? How many times would the opposition lose the ball on first phase hitting up into his channel? For all of Jordie Barrett’s skills, what’s of more use for the All Blacks? Tavatavanawi can get you the ball and potentially take points off the opposition from their red zone launches.

That’s the compelling argument for Tavatavanawai in the Test arena which is also about winning gain line where the No.12 is central too that. In addition to the turnovers, he has 64 defenders beaten. Tavatavanawai can win the gain line too.

13. Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

The Hurricanes centre missed the first half of the season but has hit the ground running since his return. He’s back better than before, becoming a game-breaking force. In his debut against the Brumbies he beat 10 defenders in a signature performance, helping turn around the Hurricanes fortunes.

They haven’t lost a game since Proctor returned, in the process knocking off the Brumbies at home in Canberra, and the number one seed Chiefs at home and another top four side, the Reds in Brisbane. Those are three of best four teams in the competition.

Proctor was a defensive centre first and foremost, with great reads and a high tackle completion percentage. Now he has exploded on the other side of the ball.

With Proctor the Hurricanes are simply a different beast and the pressure on Rieko Ioane to retain his starting role is the highest it’s been. It’s got to the point where it would be a shock to see Ioane picked over Proctor.

14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders)

Last year Reece was essentially a one-man band for the Crusaders, and while the entire team has improved this year, Reece has maintained his game-breaking play.

Becoming Super Rugby’s all-time try scorer against the Highlanders, Reece has continued to score tries at will. Either on the end of team play or creating for himself, Reece cannot be denied.

He leads the competition in offloads with 20 and is top 10 in defenders beaten. Reece still has it at 28-year-old and is one of the best in the competition.

Reece is still expected to take the right wing starting job with the All Blacks.

15. Will Jordan (Crusaders)

Before the injury Jordan formed a lethal back three at the Crusaders which was responsible for a lot of the attacking production. He bagged seven tries in his 11 games, while having 13 line breaks. He also ranks fourth in offloads with 13.

The incumbent All Blacks fullback is expected back for the quarter-finals but would still command selection in the form backline based on his work already this season.

21. Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)

The Chiefs No.9 has 11 try assists this year and a highlight of his play is his support play. He edges Roigard in this aspect. Both halfbacks are great attacking players.

22. Beauden Barrett (Blues)

Injury his prevented Barrett from influencing the Blues more than he has, but he has still shown flashes of Barrett greatness. Before he broke his hand against the Brumbies, he knifed them up the middle for trademark Barrett try. He nailed a chip and chase one against the Force. He’s the competition leader when it comes to kick metres. With all his experience, the All Black will be a certain pick and on form would take the bench role.

23. Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)

Stevenson has come back from a brief stint with Kubota in fine form, which is no surprise given the prolific scoring from the Chiefs’ attack. While this pick in the No.23 wouldn’t make sense with Barrett available to cover fullback, on form Stevenson would make it into the 23. He has eight try assists ranked fourth most in the competition.