How Dave Rennie could shape his first All Blacks squad with old heads and new faces

Sunday, 21 June 2026

ANALYSIS: Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad will be announced at noon on Monday with difficult calls looming in a number of positions.

But the big question is: how many changes does he make after Scott Robertson’s difficult two-year reign?

Wholesale changes would represent a bold new era, but those expectations should be tempered by the fact that experience remains a crucial commodity in test rugby.

As Wallabies coach, Rennie recalled veteran playmakers Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper after years-long absences.

Read more:

• Hurricane warning: Super Rugby’s best team set to dominate All Blacks selection

• Inside the delicate Fehi Fineanganofo situation: His pathways into the All Blacks

• Hurricanes home final is desperately needed as WRFU report reveals game’s struggles

So, where are the hardest calls coming, and who is in line for their first call-up?

The Sunday Star-Times breaks down the options in each position and selects a possible 34-man squad with 19 forwards and 15 backs.

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Asafo Aumua.

A position of relative strength for the All Blacks, with Taukei’aho and Aumua pushing Taylor for a spot in the matchday squad. Exciting youngster Eli Oudenryn has also emerged and the well-performing George Bell and Jack Taylor are also in the background.

Props: Ethan de Groot, Ollie Norris, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi.

The absence of Tamaiti Williams has been offset by the development of Ollie Norris and Xavier Numia, particularly at scrum time. George Bower misses out as his rivals offer more around the field. Lomax and de Groot remain the top-line All Blacks props.

Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry.

This could have been interesting if Scott Barrett and Fabian Holland were fit - the Blues pair of Tuipulotu and Darry might have missed out. But Barrett’s absence means that Tuipulotu’s seniority is needed ahead of Jamie Hannah: this is a one of a number of calls where test experience could trump Super Rugby form.

Loose forwards: Simon Parker, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai.

The hottest area of debate for armchair selectors, as the above selection would omit Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Torian Barnes and Lucas Casey, among others. Finau, in particular, would be the unlucky one out of that group. But we are assuming here that Rennie wants some serious defensive output from his No 6 - and Shannon Frizell will also come into the picture later in the year. Leicester Fainga’anuku made a huge impact for the Crusaders after his switch to No 7, but he is out of the picture after picking up an injury in the semifinal against the Chiefs.

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham, Cortez Ratima.

Ratima has enjoyed a strong finish to the Super Rugby season and Hotham has been strongly preferred ahead of Kyle Preston, which might be enough to secure their places behind Roigard. Finlay Christie remains the best emergency option in the case of injury.

No 10s: Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Ruben Love.

All three also have the ability to play fullback, which gives Rennie some flexibility in the outside backs. McKenzie, Barrett and Love could all spend some time in the No 10 jersey during the July tests - similar to how the Springboks are managing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok. The pecking order could be revealed by who starts against Ireland in the third test of the Nations Championship campaign.

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett (captain), Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane.

Five midfielders could be excessive, so Rennie could choose to rest Ioane. He has already played 17 times for Leinster during his stint in Dublin and will start in the No 13 jersey against the Bulls in the URC final this weekend. That said, Ioane does offer coverage in the outside backs so his value is considerable. Lienert-Brown was named in the Japan Rugby League One team of the season and has just won the title with Rennie with Kobe.

Outside backs: Will Jordan, Fehi Fineanganofo, Caleb Clarke, Leroy Carter.

With the No 10s and Ioane all capable of playing in the back three, Rennie can afford to be a little light in this area. As reported in The Post earlier this month, Rennie is under no pressure not to pick Fineanganofo even if he is still contractually tied to the Newcastle Red Bulls. That stance from NZ Rugby suggests Fineanganofo has been in Rennie’s sights for a while. Jordan’s recent injury absence means Josh Moorby may be called up as cover.

Possible All Blacks squad

Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Asafo Aumua, Ethan de Groot, Ollie Norris, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Simon Parker, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Ruben Love, Jordie Barrett (captain), Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan/Josh Moorby, Leroy Carter, Fehi Fineanganofo, Caleb Clarke.