All Blacks: Dave Rennie’s promising options among the outsiders for test jerseys

Given that the All Blacks have never faced a touring itinerary like this season’s (South Africa plus Scotland, Wales and England), it will be no surprise if there is a sizeable crop of new men in black.

That’s even with the knowledge that the previous regime, under Scott Robertson, had chosen pretty much the right band of brothers in selection terms – even if results did not necessarily follow.

You have to go back 66 years to find anything like this year’s itinerary in the All Blacks history vaults: 1960, when they toured Australia for a few warm-up matches before starting the tour of South Africa, where they lost the test series 2-1 (one drawn). However, that busy schedule (and those of 2024 and 2025) pales next to this year’s: three Nations Championship tests against France, Italy and Ireland at home; the “Greatest Rivalry” tour of South Africa (eight matches, including four tests, in five weeks in August-September); two Bledisloe Cup tests, then the northern tour in November.

The South African matches and the end-of-year Nations Championship tour seem most likely to see new blood. Incoming coach Dave Rennie has already signalled he will take 40-plus players to the Republic. It requires little imagination to see them divided largely into midweek and test line-ups, with the midweek matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions the provincial base of the much-heralded “traditional” tour.

The November tour could also be an opportunity – or a necessity – for new players while some, banged-up from an already full season, experience rest and rotation. One example is young Chiefs wing Kyren Taumoefolau. He is only eligible for the All Blacks in October, so the November tour seems ideal for trialling him.

Another is Ruben Love, already a (little-used) All Black but the subject of much clamour from the rugby public to be given game time ahead of Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie – and that could well happen this year. Same goes for Highlanders rock Timoci Tavatavanawai.

In his first season in charge of the All Blacks, Rennie will want to play his top team and polish combinations but this year’s schedule is also about survival, husbanding resources and keeping opponents guessing ahead of World Cup year.

So this week’s All Blacks Watch focuses on the “Super Round” in Christchurch, and those for whom the future may bring an All Blacks jersey or extended time in one for those previously selected but not in the front line.

Crusaders v Waratahs

While the undisputed star was Leicester Fainga’anuku and his wholly convincing portrayal of an openside flanker, first five-eighths Taha Kemara turned in another strong performance. He marshalled his outsides well, kicked profitably from hand – his kick-pass sparked Dallas McLeod’s second try – and flawlessly at goal. He is a genuine running No 10 whose first instinct is not to kick; he is keeping polished, more traditional, first five-eighths Rivez Reihana out of the side.

Halfback Noah Hotham harassed the Waratahs all night and is pushing Cortez Ratima for the No 2 spot behind Cam Roigard to add to his three tests. Ratima, however, showed up well for the Chiefs against the Drua, running that support-play line that earns him many tries. Blindside flanker Dom Gardiner made another strong bid for the All Blacks No 6 jersey with a particularly impressive first quarter in an 80-minute display.

Fainga’anuku’s heroics may not result in selection in the All Blacks’ loose forward starting line-up, but he has surely guaranteed himself at least a place on the bench – and given Rennie an extra dimension in assembling it.

Hurricanes v Brumbies

Love started like a runaway train, setting up the first of Fehi Fineanganofo’s four tries against a surprisingly insipid Brumbies with a scorching break. However, for this writer, he remains No 3 in the first five-eighths power rankings, behind Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. Love tried a few flashy touches that didn’t come off this time around – but he deserves top marks for inventiveness, which may be needed this year.

Blindside flanker frontrunner Devan Flanders has had a couple of quieter games lately and was mostly buried in the thick stuff. Meanwhile, loosehead prop Xavier Numia, another to have strong claims in what is likely to be an extended squad or squads this year, finished well from the bench and tighthead Pasilio Tosi did likewise, showing up in one strong carry.

Blues v Reds

Anton Segner has been pushing the door open for the blindside flanker spot – but had a slightly quieter day against the Reds, even if tackling just about everything. Segner made one vital defensive turnover but, of those trying to oust incumbent Simon Parker (who was less effective this week than in last week’s highlight effort), the Crusaders’ Gardiner had the most impressive outing.

Highlanders v Moana Pasifika

It’s more than likely Timoci Tavatavanawai will add to his two All Blacks caps in this elongated 2026 schedule, even with Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Fainga’anuku and Billy Proctor contesting midfield starting berths. He wasn’t as prominent this weekend as in some others – but still made a couple of his bowling ball runs, scattering defenders, giving good go-forward. His offloads and penchant for vital turnovers remain assets.

If it’s go-forward the All Blacks selectors feel they need, a possible bolter could be Moana Pasifika’s Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. He is 22, is listed as 1.85m and 113kg but plays much bigger. His power is evident in every game, he headed the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific stats for carries last year and this season is third in defenders beaten, seventh in carries and fifth in tackles made. Does the end-of-year tour beckon for this Otago Boys’ High School product?

Paul Lewis writes about rugby, cricket, league, football, yachting, golf, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.