All Blacks squad named for 2025 Rugby Championship

Tuesday, 05 August 2025 at 11:46

byTom Sansom

– All Blacks v Australia, Optus Stadium, Perth

All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their squad for the 2025 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship. New Zealand come into this year's competition riding a wave of momentum, as the All Blacks dispatched France in three consecutive Tests throughout the Summer.

The All Blacks impressed in their Summer series against Les Bleus, with a trio of triumphs across Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland. New Zealand have been bolstered with the return of Jordie Barrett, who comes back into the fold after a season's sabbatical with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.

New Zealand will once again be captained by Scott Barrett, with the Crusaders man steadily making the armband his own as he steers his side through another tournament on the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Formerly the Tri Nations Championship until Argentina joined the competition back 2012, New Zealand last won the title in 2023, as last season saw South Africa end the All Blacks three-year run as Rugby Championship title holders.

The All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad features four potential debutants. Loose forward Simon Parker (Chiefs) has been named in the squad, while prop Tevita Mafileo (Hurricanes), halfback Kyle Preston (Crusaders) and utility back Leroy Carter (Chiefs) are listed as injury cover.

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said these players have all been on the selectors’ radar and deserve the opportunity to push for the black jersey.

“Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with. He has the ability to play blindside or No. 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up.

“While we are clearly disappointed for our men who are currently recovering from injuries, that has also created opportunities for a number of deserving players including the uncapped Tevita Mafileo, Kyle Preston and Leroy Carter. These players have earned the opportunity through consistent performance, and we know that they will take this chance. We are excited about what they will bring to the squad.

“It is also fantastic to have Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi returning from their injuries, as well as welcoming Peter Lakai, Finlay Christie and Josh Lord back into the group,” Robertson said.

“We have some massively exciting and challenging games ahead of us and we are looking forward to reassembling and getting to work, starting with two tests against a very strong Los Pumas side.”

The All Blacks squad will travel to Argentina on 8 August to begin preparations for the first Test against Argentina on Saturday 16 August (22:10 KO GMT) in Córdoba. Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke will not travel to Argentina while they recover from injury.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD FOR 2025 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

(Super Rugby club / Provincial Club, Test Caps, *debutant)

Hookers:

Codie Taylor (Crusaders / Canterbury, 98)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs / Waikato, 33)
Brodie McAlister (Chiefs / Canterbury, 1)

Props:

Ethan de Groot (Highlanders / Southland, 32)
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders / Canterbury, 18)
Ollie Norris (Chiefs / Waikato, 2)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes / Tasman, 45)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders / Canterbury, 25)
Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 9)

Locks:

Scott Barrett (Crusaders / Taranaki, 81) (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues / Auckland, 55)
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs / Taranaki, 40)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders / Otago, 3)

Back Rows:

Samipeni Finau (Chiefs / Waikato, 11)
Simon Parker (Chiefs / Northland, *)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 97) (Vice-Captain)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs / North Harbour, 10)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs / Waikato, 24)

Scrum Halves:

Cortez Ratima (Chiefs / Waikato, 14)
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 12)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders / Tasman, 2)

Fly Halves:

Beauden Barrett (Blues / Taranaki, 136)
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs / Waikato, 64)

Centres:

Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs / Waikato, 85)
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes / Taranaki, 71) (Vice-Captain)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs / Waikato, 16)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes / Wellington, 4)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders / Tasman, 2)

Outside Backs:

Rieko Ioane (Blues / Auckland, 83)
Caleb Clarke (Blues / Auckland, 29)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders / Southland, 34)
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3)
Will Jordan (Crusaders / Tasman, 44)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes / Wellington, 2)

Injury Cover:

The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship:

George Bower (Crusaders / Otago, 23) – for Tamaiti Williams
Tevita Mafileo (Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *) – for Tyrel Lomax
Josh Lord (Chiefs / Taranaki, 7) – for Luke Jacobson
Finlay Christie (Blues / Tasman, 23) – for Cameron Roigard / Noah Hotham
Kyle Preston (Crusaders / Wellington, *) – for Cameron Roigard / Noah Hotham
Leroy Carter (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, *) – for Caleb Clarke

Unavailable due to injury:

Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Asafo Aumua
Stephen Perofeta

ALL BLACKS FIXTURES: 2025 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday 16 August, 09:10am NZST (Saturday 15 August, 21:10 GMT) – All Blacks v Argentina, Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Córdoba

Sunday 23 August, 09:10am NZST (Saturday 22 August, 21:10 GMT) – All Blacks v Argentina, Vélez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires

Saturday 6 September, 07:05pm NZST (Saturday 6 September, 07:05 GMT) – All Blacks v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland

Saturday 13 September, 07:05pm NZST (Saturday 13 September, 07:05 GMT) – All Blacks v South Africa, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Saturday 27 September, 05:05pm NZST (Saturday 27 September, 05:05 GMT) – All Blacks v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland

Saturday 4 October, 10:45pm NZST (Saturday 4 October, 10:45 GMT)