Dave Rennie has announced a stacked All Blacks team to take on the Springboks on Saturday for the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Here are our winners and losers from the 23-man squad.
Winners
Josh Moorby: The 28-year-old is finally getting his crack at the All Blacks after years of impressive performances in the National Provincial Championship, Super Rugby and the Top 14. After making his international debut off the bench against Italy in July, he started against Ireland the following week, then appeared at full-back against the Stormers in August before scoring two tries and excelling against the Bulls. Now, he’s been selected on the left wing ahead of former sevens star Leroy Carter in what will be a huge opportunity for the elusive back-three player.
Damian McKenzie: It was touch-and-go for the world-class full-back who sprained his ankle in Durban against the Sharks. Despite Rennie being “less confident” on McKenzie’s chances of being fit for the opening game against the Springboks, he now appears to have full trust in the full-back’s ankle. With Beauden Barrett not in the squad, McKenzie is the obvious option to replace Ruben Love at 10 during the game if required.
Ruben Love: Talking of whom; the 25-year-old has increasingly indicated that he is the real deal. His journey to the international circuit hasn’t been straightforward, and positional changes have played a major part in that, but now at fly-half he appears perfectly settled. In only his first full season playing in the 10 shirt, he’s guided the Hurricanes to Super Rugby glory, started all three All Black Tests in the Nations Championship, and is now set to compete in the biggest game of his career.
Fabian Holland: He may have missed the entire 2025/26 season through injury, but his return has been nothing short of majestic. After winning three consecutive matches against France the previous season, he appeared straight back into the All Blacks team with three more victories over Ireland, Scotland and Wales respectively. His form in the Greatest Rivalry warm-ups would continue to defy all expectations, and he is deserving of this Test-match start.
Anton Segner: The German-born loose forward made just two substitute appearances for the All Blacks prior to this tour, and after impressing in the warm-ups, he will get his opportunity to play against the world champions from the bench. He’s been excellent for the Blues again this past season, so he will hope to emulate his club form on the biggest stage.
Kyle Preston: The Crusaders scrum-half had made just one All Blacks appearance ahead of this tour – a 16-minute cameo against the Springboks in 2025. After impressing against the Sharks in his first-ever start for the side, he’s now been selected as the bench option to face the Springboks again. He knows what it takes to perform off the bench, notably coming on as a replacement in all of the Crusaders’ matches in the 2025/26 season.
Losers
Beauden Barrett: The 147-capped player has been dropped from the matchday 23. Despite still showing signs of the elite pace which made him such a dangerous player to play against in his younger years, the 35-year-old has struggled with his decision-making and form in recent times. He’s been an incredible servant of the jersey since first making his debut in 2012, but his exclusion could be a very real indication of what’s to come.
Injured trio: Cortez Ratima has not made the cut after suffering a posterior cruciate ligament knee injury in the All Blacks’ 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria. There were doubts whether he would be able to return in time, but Preston’s availability has made Rennie’s decision to exclude Ratima a little easier. Xavier Numia is also excluded from the squad after suffering a sore Achilles in the same match, while Caleb Clarke returned home after scans revealed he ruptured a tendon in his shoulder during last week’s game against the Sharks.
Rieko Ioane: Once one of New Zealand’s most exciting stars, he’s now unable to make the Test match 23. Dropped completely from the opening match, he will watch on as Quinn Tupaea performs in his former position of outside centre, and Will Jordan and Moorby take up the wings. If he’s not able to make a significant mark on this tour, heading into next year’s World Cup, he could well find himself completely out of the All Blacks fold.
Samisoni Taukei’aho: He is the only change in the starting pack from the All Blacks’ win over Ireland in July. He failed to set the scrum alight in the warm-up games, and as a result, against the greatest scrum in the world, he will watch on as the in-form Asafo Aumua takes the bench spot. He is highly experienced, however, so he will know to bide his time, and he’ll surely receive a Test opportunity later on in the tour.
Fehi Fineanganofo: Despite his incredible club form and impressive performances in the All Black jersey, particularly against the Sharks, he’s not included in the matchday squad. While it’s true that New Zealand have a plethora of options on the wing, he must have been banging on the door of the 23. His try-scoring record at club level cannot be sniffed at too, so expect Rennie to look his way if the selected crop don’t perform this week.
READ MORE: All Blacks: Where Test series triumph over Springboks in South Africa ranks for Sean Fitzpatrick