All Blacks Finish Second In Rugby Championship

The All Blacks have beaten Australia in Perth, and finished second in the 2025 Rugby Championship after South Africa had a narrow 29-27 win over Argentina at Twickenham. Quinn Tupaea scored two tries and the All Blacks led 17-9 at halftime in a match played in wet conditions. 

The All Blacks will now have a few weeks off before heading to Chicago's Soldier Field to face Ireland on 2nd November, then Scotland at Murrayfield on 9th, England at Twickenham on the 16th, and Wales at Millennium Stadium on the 23rd November.

New Zealand: 28

Tries: Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea 2, George Bower, Conversions: Damian McKenzie, Penalties: McKenzie 2

Australia: 14

Try: Len Ikitau, Penalties: Tane Edmed 3

All Blacks Named To Face Australia

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 27th September at 5.50pm.  

Their are six changes to the side after their latest loss to South Africa, with Ardie Savea captaining the side in the absence of Scott Barrett who is out with a shoulder injury. In the forwards, Codie Taylor returns from concussion in place of Samisoni Taukei’aho who drops to the bench, and Fabian Holland comes in at lock. In the backs, Cam Roigard returns at halfback and Caleb Clarke on the left wing, while Leroy Carter moves to the right wing and Will Jordan moves to fullback.

Damian McKenzie drops back to reserves, while Patrick Tuipulotu and Cortez Ratima are also added after returning from injury, and Peter Lakai is added as loose forward cover for the first time this year.

All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, (Vice-Captain) 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea (Captain), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain) , 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan. 

Reserves: 

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie.

Australia:

1 James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Corey Toole, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Max Jorgensen

Reserves: 

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Angus Bell, 8. Allan Alaalatoa 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Filipo Daugunu

All Blacks Get First Up Win Over South Africa

The All Blacks hold a single point lead over Australia in the 2025 Rugby championship, after a 24-17 win against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday night. The All Blacks opened the match strongly, and held a 14-3 half time lead after tries to Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan, but as expected South Africa struck back in the second half with tries of their own to Malcolm Marx and Cobus Reinach. A try to replacement back Quinn Tupaea sealed the match for the All Blacks, but it took robust defence in the final minutes and a turn over by Ardie Savea in his 100th All Blacks match to make it certain.

New Zealand: 24

Tries: Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Conversions: Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie 2, Penalty: McKenzie 

South Africa: 17

Tries: Malclom Marx, Cobus Reinach, Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Penalty: Handre Pollard

All Blacks Named To Face South Africa

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday at 7.05pm. There are several changes to the starting side who lost to Argentina, and also has Ardie Savea at openside flanker who will play his 100th match for the side. Finlay Christie will start at halfback after injuries have sidelined Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham, while Kyle Preston will be in the reserves as cover. Sevu Reece has been replaced on the wing by Emoni Narawa, while Tupou Vaaí moves to lock with Wallace Sititi coming into number eight.

All Blacks: 

Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. 

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Kyle Preston, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.

All Blacks Lose Second Argentina Test

The All Blacks have lost their second test in Argentina 29-23 to give the local side a first ever win on home soil against the All Blacks. The All Blacks were plagued by handling errors, and multiple missed kicks at goal, and now have a week off before facing South Africa at Eden Park on 6th September. 

New Zealand: 23

Tries: Billy Proctor, Fletcher Newell, Samison Taukei'aho, Conversion: Damian McKenzie, Penalties: Beauden Barrett, McKenzie 

Argentina: 29

Tries: Juan Martin González, Gonzalo Garcia, Conversions: Santiago Carreras 2, Penalties: Tomás Albornoz, Juan Cruz Mallía, Carreras 3 

All Blacks Named For First Argentina Match

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Argentina in Cordoba on Sunday morning at 9.10am. There are several players returning from injury, with captain Scott Barrett at lock, Tupou Vaaí at blindside, and Beauden Barrett at first five. With injury concerns at half back, Cortez Ratima will start with Finlay Christie on the bench.

All Blacks: 

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: 

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

All Blacks Named For 2025 France Series

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has today named a 33-man squad for the upcoming three test series against France, with the first match in Dunedin on 5th July.

There are five uncapped players named in the squad, with additional players named as injury cover. Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister and prop Ollie Norris, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and Hurricanes flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi  are the new players, while Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie and Chiefs outside back Emoni Narawa are the injury cover for Luke Jacobson and Anton Lienert-Brown.

The side will be captained by Crusader Scott Barrett, with support from vice captains Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett.

Unavailable for selection because of injury are Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua, and Blues players Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai and Stephen Perofeta.

ALL BLACKS SQUAD:

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister

Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi

Locks: Scott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland

Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea (vc), Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah Hotham

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett (vc), Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai

Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love

All Blacks Squad Named For Northern Tour

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his 36-man squad to tour Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy for matches in October and November.

There is only one change from the Rugby Championship squad with Cam Roigard returning from a knee injury in place of Noah Hotham.

Forwards:

Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (captain), Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi

Backs: 

TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a

Saturday 26 October- All Blacks vs Japan, 6.50pm, Nissan Stadium, Yokohama 

Sunday 03 November - All Blacks vs England, 4.10am, Twickenham Stadium, London 

Saturday 09 November - All Blacks vs Ireland, 9.10am, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 

Sunday 17 November - All Blacks vs France, 9.10am, Stade de France, Paris 

Sunday 24 November - All Blacks vs Italy, 9.10am, Allianz Stadium, Turin 

All Blacks Named For Second South Africa Match

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made several changes to his side for the second Rugby Championship match against South Africa this Sunday morning, 3.00am NZT.

Robertson has made four changes to his starting side and one in the reserves, with both Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke are unavailable through injury. Wallace Sititi gets his first start at the run on side at blindside flanker, and Cortez Ratima gains his second test start at halfback with TJ Perenara dropping to the reserves. In the backs wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece start, with Will Jordan moving to fullback, and Beauden Barrett dropping to the reserves.

New Zealand All Blacks:  

1.    Tamaiti Williams
2.    Codie Taylor
3.    Tyrel Lomax 
4.    Scott Barrett (C) 
5.    Tupou Vaa’i 
6.    Wallace Sititi  
7.    Sam Cane  
8.    Ardie Savea (VC) 
9.    Cortez Ratima  
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (VC) 
13.  Rieko Ioane
14.  Sevu Reece 
15.  Will Jordan 
 
16. Asafo Aumua 
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Sam Darry 
20. Luke Jacobson 
21. TJ Perenara
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett
 

All Blacks Assistant Coach Leon MacDonald Quits

All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has resigned from his position, and will not travel with the All Blacks to South Africa for the Rugby Championship matches. Fronting media on Thursday, coach Scott Robertson has said a difference in views on coaching the All Blacks saw MacDonald step away. MacDonald will not be replaced, with current assistant coach Scott Hansen and contact skills coach Tamati Ellison taking a greater workload until the end of the season.

All Blacks Named To Face Argentina

All Black coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Argentina in Wellington on Saturday 7.05pm in their Rugby Championship opening match. With Scoot Barrett out injured, the side will be captained by number eight Ardie Savea, while TJ Perenara returns at halfback after being out with a leg injury, and Beauden Barrett starts at fullback.

1.    Ethan De Groot
2.    Codie Taylor (vc)
3.    Tyrel Lomax
4.    Tupou Vaa’i
5.    Sam Darry
6.    Ethan Blackadder
7.    Dalton Papali’i
8.    Ardie Savea (c)
9.    TJ Perenara
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (vc)
13.  Anton Lienert-Brown
14.  Sevu Reece
15.  Beauden Barrett

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Josh Lord
20. Wallace Sititi
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Rieko Ioane
23. Will Jordan

All Blacks Named For Second England Test

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his squad for the second test against England this Saturday 7.05pm. There is only one change to the starting 15 with Finlay Christie replacing TJ Perenara due to a leg injury, with uncapped Chiefs player Cortez Ratima coming onto the reserves bench. 

1.    Ethan De Groot
2.    Codie Taylor
3.    Tyrel Lomax
4.    Scott Barrett (c)
5.    Patrick Tuipulotu
6.    Samipeni Finau
7.    Dalton Papali’i
8.    Ardie Savea (vc)
9.    Finlay Christie
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (vc)
13.  Rieko Ioane
14.  Sevu Reece
15.  Stephen Perofeta
 
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett 

All Blacks Named For First 2024 Test Against England

New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his first side to face England this Saturday 7.05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Robertson has bought in TJ Perenara at halfback while Finlay Christie is in the reserves, with Stephen Perofeta at fullback ahead of Beauden Barrett who is also in the reserves. There is a strong look to the forwards with De Groot, Taylor and Lomax in the front row, and Tuipulotu joining captain Scott Barrett at lock. Luke Jacobson is in the reserves to cover loose forward, with Ethan Blackadder missing out on the match 23.

All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Ardie Savea (vc), 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Damian McKenzie, 
11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Jordie Barrett (vc), 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta.

Reserves:

16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Beauden Barrett

Narrow Loss For All Blacks In Rugby World Cup Final

The All Blacks have suffered a narrow 12-11 loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final. The biggest talking point from the match was the yellow card which was upgraded to red for captain Sam Cane after a 29th minute tackle resulted in a head clash, meaning he became the first person sent off in a Rugby World Cup final match. 

The third match official has been criticized for being inconsistent after South African captain Siya Kolisi was also yellow carded in the 46th minute for a similar tackle but it was not upgraded to red by the TMO. The All Blacks also lost flanker Shannon Frizell to a yellow card in only the third minute of the match after falling on the leg of a South African player in a tackle was deemed illegal.  

The All Blacks had several chances in the second half, with the TMO involved again by ruling out a Aaron Smith try after an earlier knock on, after referee Wayne Barnes had said play on. A missed conversion from the Beauden Barrett try and a late penalty shot were both wide which could have sealed a win.

The All Blacks will have new coach Scott Robertson replacing Ian Foster from this week, while they are also losing Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell to overseas club's, while Dane Coles is retiring.

New Zealand All Blacks: 11 

Try: Beauden Barrett, Penalties: Richie Mo'unga 2 

South Africa: 12 

Penalties: Handre Pollard 4

Dane Coles To Retire, Other All Blacks Move On.

At the age of 36, All Black hooker Dane Coles has today announced he will retire at the end of the current year. In the Rugby World Cup year, he is one of a number of All Blacks who are moving on following the tournament. Brodie Retallick also announced he is returning to the Kobelco Kobe Steelers following the Rugby World Cup after playing for them on his 2020 sabbatical, while both Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett will play for Toyota, and Richie Mo'unga for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.

Rugby Championship:

July 8: All Blacks v Argentina, Mendoza

July 15: All Blacks v South Africa, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 7.05pm

July 29: All Blacks v Australia, Melbourne

August 5: All Blacks v Australia, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 2.35pm

Test match:

August 25: All Blacks v South Africa, Twickenham, London, 7.30pm

All Blacks Draw With England

The All Blacks have drawn their final test of the year 25-25 with England, after conceding three tries in the final ten minutes. The All Blacks started the game well and had scored two tries in the opening ten minutes, with a Dalton Papali'i intercept try, and hooker Codie Taylor going over off a rolling mall. The All Blacks had a further try disallowed with off the ball play in a ruck, and went to half time with a 17-3 lead. England kicked an early second half penalty, but the All Blacks struck back with an 80 metre try to centre Reiko Ioane. A dropped goal to fullback Beauden Barrett put the All Blacks into a 25-6 lead, but it was the reply from England that swung the match. Barrett had failed to release in the tackle of England first five Marcus Smith, and with the penalty advantage, replacement Will Stuart scored. Barrett was sin-binned for 10 minutes, and from the kick off England ran the ball wide with fullback Freddie Steward scoring. With mere minutes remaining in the match the All Blacks had the ball under control, but a kick from replacement half back TJ Perenara gave possession back to England who again attacked out wide, with Stuart scoring his second. Perenara had to leave the field in the fianl minute of the match, and it has since been revealed he has ruptured his achilles tendon, leaving a nine month recovery span ahead of next years Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand All Blacks: 25

Tries: Dalton Papali'i, Codie Taylor, Rieko Ioane, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 2, Penalty: Jordie Barrett, Dropped Goal: Beauden Barrett

England: 25

Tries: Will Stuart 2, Freddie Steward, Conversions: Marcus Smith 2, Penalties: Smith, Owen Farrell