All Blacks 2025 report card: How Scott Robertson and his team have performed – Ant Strachan
THE FACTS
Newstalk ZB rugby analyst and former All Blacks halfback Ant Strachan opens his notebook to analyse Scott Robertson’s second season in charge of the side.
OVERALL GRADE: B-
Season Statistics:
Tests Played: 13
Wins: 10
Losses: 3
Win Percentage: 77%
Results of note: Shared series with Argentina and South Africa – with a significant loss to the Springboks (in the second test in Wellington). Suffered another significant loss to England. Three wins over an under-strength France and back-to-back wins against Australia.
Detailed assessment & grades
Team culture and identity: Grade C+
There are some concerns about the clarity of the team’s overall identity. Questions remain around their inconsistencies, which often reflect the temperature inside the group. The well-documented departures of two coaches in Scott Robertson’s time in charge have highlighted some potential alignment challenges within the group.
Fans and analysts are still looking for a prominent statement about who this team are. The key issue is whether the team’s identity and culture have developed to the level required for genuine World Cup contention.
Selection and depth: Grade B-
The selection approach began conservatively, aiming to build continuity and establish a winning culture. Injuries disrupted this plan, affecting both short-term and long-term availability.
The injury list: Tyrel Lomax, Asafa Aumua, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Wallace Sititi, Noah Hotham, Cam Roigard, Jordie Barrett and Caleb Clarke.
Positive developments: The 13th test of the year, against Wales, introduced several new players who brought energy and contributed meaningfully. The All Blacks XV now provides a clear pathway for the next tier of talent, and maintaining this side will be important for ongoing depth.
Looking ahead to 2026: The selectors will need to show more foresight and implement detailed training standards. They must build a stronger group of genuine frontline contenders, including those wearing jerseys 16 through 23.
Selection bright spots: Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Peter Lakai, Quinn Tupaea and Ruben Love.
Set piece: Grade C
The set piece was inconsistent throughout the season. This was partly due to selection issues and a lack of depth in certain positions, but also to struggles in dealing with contestable pressure.
Impact: The scrum and lineout occasionally created strong attacking opportunities, but just as often they conceded defensive pressure and allowed points. The modern international game has become heavily driven by set-piece dominance, penalties and cards. To compete with the best, the All Blacks require two highly competitive tight fives operating at an international standard.
Aerial game / high ball: Grade D+
This was arguably the biggest weakness of the season. The All Blacks struggled to handle opposition aerial pressure, and although work is being done to address this, there is no clear solution yet. While kicking contests are not enjoyable to watch, they are now a defining part of the global game and must be handled effectively.
Defence: Grade B
There were promising periods in the first quarter of matches, as well as in the final stages, where the team often held strong under sustained pressure.
Concerns: The middle periods of games were inconsistent. The defence was sometimes passive around set-piece situations, slow to react, and vulnerable through the interior channels between the 15m lines.
Defence at its core relies on culture, trust, resilience and execution. The finishers, in particular, must also lift the defensive intensity when entering the game, to suffocate the opposition and win the pressure moments.
Attack: Grade B-
The attack has been heavily reviewed this season. Despite the imminent departure of Jason Holland, there were some encouraging developments.
Positive signs: Short-side attack with layered options troubled defences at times. Shifting the point of attack to a variety of first receivers within interior pods exposed narrow defensive shapes.
The early tries against England demonstrated effective manipulation then movement to width. Tap moves re-emerged and paid dividends.
The attack must continue to evolve. This includes presenting new structures from both set-piece and phase play, expanding kicking options, and re-establishing the ability to change the pace of the game, through strong ball carrying, effective cleanouts and constant movement of the point of attack.
At times, the team became stagnant, with attacks appearing clunky or short of ideas. Game drivers need to work collectively to identify the team’s attacking point of difference and implement it consistently with confidence.
Rating the coaching team
Scott Robertson Era
2024: 14 tests, 9 wins, 5 losses (64%)
2025: 13 tests, 10 wins, 3 losses (77%)
Total: 27 tests, 19 wins, 8 losses (70%)
The improvement from 64% to 77% indicates clear progress.
Global competitive landscape
South Africa currently stand above the rest. The All Blacks, England, Argentina, France and Ireland form the next competitive tier. To win a World Cup, a team must consistently beat the strongest nations – that remains the benchmark.
2026: Roadmap to Improvement
To lift the overall grade from B- toward A-, the following areas must progress:
Final assessment
The All Blacks are moving in the right direction. The fundamentals are improving, and the win rate reflects progress. However, significant work remains to reach a level where they can reliably beat the best teams in the world.
Continued support, combined with a willingness to ask difficult questions and drive improvement, will be essential. The trajectory is positive, but the gap to close is still considerable.