Get ready for a rugby showdown like no other! The All Blacks are gearing up for their 2025 end-of-year tour, and head coach Scott Robertson has just unveiled a 36-man squad that’s sure to spark debate. With only one debutant and no injury cover replacements, this selection is as bold as it is strategic. But here’s where it gets controversial: George Bell steps in as hooker, replacing Brodie McAlister, who made waves with his debut against France earlier this season. Is this a risky move, or a masterstroke? You decide.
And this is the part most people miss: Injuries have sidelined key players like Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, and Ollie Norris, forcing Robertson to reshuffle the deck. Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo gets his chance, while Josh Lord fills in for Vaa’i. But with so many absentees, can this squad truly compete against the northern hemisphere’s best?
The tour kicks off on November 2 with a highly anticipated rematch against Ireland in Chicago. Robertson isn’t holding back, stating, ‘The rematch against Ireland at Soldier Field will be a huge occasion… facing some of the northern hemisphere’s best at their home grounds is a fantastic challenge for us.’ But let’s not forget the bigger picture: this tour is about honoring the All Blacks’ legacy while forging new paths. With a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, this squad is poised to make history—or face tough questions if they fall short.
Here’s the full squad breakdown:
Forwards:
Codie Taylor (hooker, 34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 103 caps), Samisoni Taukei’aho (hooker, 28, Chiefs / Waikato, 39 caps), George Bell (hooker, 23, Crusaders / Canterbury, 3 caps), Ethan de Groot (prop, 27, Highlanders / Southland, 37 caps), Tamaiti Williams (prop, 25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 23 caps), George Bower (prop, 33, Crusaders / Otago, 24 caps), Fletcher Newell (prop, 25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 31 caps), Pasilio Tosi (prop, 27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 12 caps), Tevita Mafileo (prop, 27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *), Scott Barrett (lock, 31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 86 caps) (Captain), Patrick Tuipulotu (lock, 32, Blues / Auckland, 56 caps), Fabian Holland (lock, 23, Highlanders / Otago, 9 caps), Josh Lord (lock, 24, Chiefs / Taranaki, 8 caps), Samipeni Finau (lock/loose forward, 26, Chiefs / Waikato, 12 caps), Simon Parker (loose forward, 25, Chiefs / Northland, 5 caps), Ardie Savea (loose forward, 31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 103 caps) (Vice-Captain), Du’Plessis Kirifi (loose forward, 28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 6 caps), Wallace Sititi (loose forward, 23, Chiefs / North Harbour, 15 caps), Peter Lakai (loose forward, 22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 5 caps), Luke Jacobson (loose forward, 28, Chiefs / Waikato, 25 caps).
Backs:
Cortez Ratima (halfback, 24, Chiefs / Waikato, 18 caps), Cameron Roigard (halfback, 24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 14 caps), Finlay Christie (halfback, 30, Blues / Tasman, 27 caps), Beauden Barrett (first-five eighth/fullback, 34, Blues / Taranaki, 141 caps), Damian McKenzie (first-five eighth/fullback, 30, Chiefs / Waikato, 70 caps), Anton Lienert-Brown (midfield, 30, Chiefs / Waikato, 86 caps), Jordie Barrett (midfield, 28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 77 caps) (Vice-Captain), Quinn Tupaea (midfield, 26, Chiefs / Waikato, 21 caps), Billy Proctor (midfield, 26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 9 caps), Leicester Fainga’anuku (midfield/outside back, 26, Crusaders / Tasman, 8 caps), Rieko Ioane (midfield/outside back, 28, Blues / Auckland, 87 caps), Caleb Clarke (outside back, 26, Blues / Auckland, 30 caps), Sevu Reece (outside back, 28, Crusaders / Southland, 36 caps), Leroy Carter (outside back, 26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3 caps), Will Jordan (outside back, 27, Crusaders / Tasman, 50 caps), Ruben Love (outside back/first-five eighth, 24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4 caps).
Unavailable due to injury: Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Noah Hotham, Emoni Narawa, Ollie Norris, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Asafo Aumua, Stephen Perofeta.
So, what do you think? Is this squad ready to dominate, or are they in for a rude awakening? Let’s hear your take in the comments—agree or disagree, the debate is on!
