Five All Blacks under pressure to keep their spots, and Scott Robertson’s standouts

Sunday, 30 November 2025

So, that was year two of the All Blacks under Scott Robertson. Ten wins, three defeats, serious consistency issues, shortcomings galore and minimal, if any, progress. The Rugby Championship stays absent from the trophy cabinet and, for the first time in five attempts, the Grand Slam proves a bridge too far.

And while most countries not named South Africa might snatch your hand off grabbing 10-3 as a record for the year, dig a little deeper and it’s not the mark it might appear.

Let’s face it, five of those 10 wins came against France C on Kiwi soil and a Wallabies outfit it’s been proven any man and his dog could beat in 2025. Another was against a Welsh mob that’s become the laughing stock of global rugby. That leaves a record of 4-3 in what you might call top-tier tests.

As the Gen Z’ers would say, a ‘meh’ kind of year. Again.

So, what does another non-vintage All Blacks season at the mid-point of the World Cup cycle mean? Should alarm bells be ringing? Axes swinging? Changeouts zinging?

What is it they say? The definition of insanity is to repeat the same mistake over and over again. Or maybe, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Clearly ‘Razor” Robertson has issues to ponder, decisions to make and personnel to mull over. He’s not a million miles off the mark, but he’s still short of it. Surely he can’t trudge on with the same people achieving the same mediocre results, even though he’s on the record declaring he feels the team has “turned the corner”.

The reality suggests something different, and if Robertson is honest with himself over the summer recess he will accept he has some big decisions to make between now and next July.

Given he’s probably done just enough, like his predecessor, to avoid being sacked, he must assuredly weigh the makeup of both his coaching and playing group ahead of what might be the toughest All Blacks campaign in history (four road tests against the indomitable Boks, and the inaugural Nations Championship, with a final to shoot for).

Something has to change.

With attack guru Jason Holland joining Leon MacDonald (last year) in jumping ship, there is at least one hole to fill in the coaching group. (There’s a theme there, but that’s probably another story.) Robertson promises a full rethink during the review process and if he’s smart will acknowledge the crew needs, if not a makeover, at least a shakeup.

Maybe this is a chance to bring in a game-changer, a la Foster’s ‘coptering in Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt mid-cycle to steady the listing ship. Robertson might benefit from a straight-shooter who can deliver an uncomplicated message.

Then there’s the playing group. Undoubtedly some positive strides were made in ‘25, with nine new faces introduced, including a couple of real keepers in Fabian Holland and Simon Parker, 45 players used in total and a handful of little-used types hitherto (think Peter Lakai or Billy Proctor) bedded in as regular performers.

So, after a season where backing it up proved hard to do for Robertson’s All Blacks, and key goals were not achieved, here are five players who might find themselves under pressure to keep their spots in ‘26, and also our standout performers of the year:

Five under the gun

Beauden Barrett

It seems incongruous to write this about one of the finest of All Blacks over a prolonged period, and the most capped back of all time (144), but there are signs emerging that Barrett is no longer the player he once was. His final test appearance of the year, against England, was alarmingly shoddy and though he performed solidly enough previously, his option-taking, game management and ability to swing matches looks well short of what it once was. Plus, you might have heard this, but Richie Mo’unga is coming back. Needs to dip into the fountain of youth over the off-season to find some answers that may no longer be in his wheelhouse.

Rieko Ioane

Yesterday’s man by season’s end risks becoming a total after-thought unless he can re-ignite his career while on sabbatical with Leinster. Robertson has given him plenty of chances, both at centre and wing, but the mercurial Aucklander just kept drifting more and more off the pace. Let’s be honest, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen Ioane consistently at his best. The problem is, if things go awry in Ireland it could become decidedly uncomfortable there for a fellow who doesn’t mind a pout. Robertson will keep an eye from afar, but right now Ioane looks well short of being either a top wing or centre in this setup.

Sevu Reece

Ditto Reece (see above). Look, that was a handy effort against Wales off the bench in the final test, but operating as a flat-track bully against out-matched opponents is one thing, being a viable starting wing option for South Africa is another altogether. Will come under real pressure from Emoni Narawa, Caleb Tangitau, Leroy Carter and others next year. Needs to be special for the ‘Saders, and that might now be beyond him.

Anton Lienert-Brown

Comes into the Beauden Barrett category. Been a great servant of the Kiwi game and an all-time consistent performer. But injuries and age have slowed him, and now not quite the player he was. With the rise of Quinn Tupaea and Leicester Fainga’anuku in midfield, might soon find himself surplus. Another needing to re-ignite with his franchise.

Scott Barrett

It might seem unusual casting the All Blacks captain, and senior lock, into the ‘under pressure’ category, but you can make that case. First as skipper. It’s hard to see Robertson moving on from a player he’s so attached to, but he should at least consider it. Barrett’s leadership has been so-so at best. He’s not an inspirational figure, a la Ardie Savea, nor seemingly a great communicator, nor a particularly inventive or resourceful commander. When things have turned bad, he seemed bereft of answers. And as power lock, he might already have been surpassed by Holland who has hardly put a foot wrong. When Tupou Vaa’i is fit, might not even be starter worthy.

Player of year

Cam Roigard

Holland was a contender for this mantle, as well as runaway winner of best newcomer (see below). Unerringly consistent until the tank was running on empty, a physical force, indefatigable workrate and a set-piece monster, the big Dutchman took to test footy like he was born for it. But how about Roigard as MVP, shading Holland, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan and, of course, Savea as premier performer? The All Blacks missed him sorely when a foot stress fracture against France kept him out of the first four matches of the Rugby Championship, and again when he went off just after halftime at Twickers. Brilliantly instinctive on attack, resilient around the fringes and with a fabulous left boot, looks and plays world-class. The only worry is the major dropoff to his backups who just aren’t in this guy’s class. Fainga’anuku’s belated return was mostly triumphant, and his power game looks super valuable both at centre and wing, while Jordan and Savea just keep on keeping on.

Best newcomer

Fabian Holland

The find of the year, no doubt. The planet’s, according to World Rugby. As Robertson noted: “ Fabian’s story is like something out of a movie … grown up in the Netherlands, dreamed of playing for the All Blacks, shifted to New Zealand aged 16, and made his dream a reality … works incredibly hard to meet his goals and one of the most determined and focused players I have come across.” Runnerup: Lakai. By year end Robertson had wrapped his head round the talented loosie’s qualities, noting his “exceptional” abilities on both sides of the ball, and highlighting his clean work on defence and late footwork on the carry. Going places fast.

The 2025 All Blacks ledger

Results: bt France (h) 31-27; bt France (h) 43-17; bt France (h) 29-19; bt Argentina (a) 41-24; lost to Argentina (a) 23-29; bt South Africa (h) 24-17; lost to South Africa (h) 10-43; bt Australia (h) 33-24; bt Australia (a) 28-14; bt Ireland (a) 26-13; bt Scotland (a) 25-17; lost to England (a) 19-33; bt Wales (a) 52-26.

Record: Won 10, lost 3. Points for: 384. Against: 303.