{"id":173671,"date":"2025-12-08T13:17:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/173671\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T13:17:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:17:08","slug":"how-the-forwards-depth-rates-against-razors-four-deep-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/173671\/","title":{"rendered":"How the forwards depth rates against Razor’s four deep project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scott Robertson\u2019s go to talking point in media sessions about player depth has been about being four players deep in every position, ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup<\/a> in Australia.<\/p>\n

It involves creating depth in numbers across the paddock, with players able to jump in where needed.<\/p>\n

Project four deep doesn\u2019t just imply that the All Blacks<\/a> have four options at each position, it\u2019s that the options are proven, in-form, and are experienced enough to be trusted in the big games when called upon.<\/p>\n

Robertson has given debuts to 19 rookies over his two year tenure so far, using 42 players in the whole of 2024, before using 45 in 2025.<\/p>\n

Giving players debuts is all well and good, but it is important to give them substantial game time and opportunities to become battle-hardened, Test level players. Which is where this four deep project really comes into it\u2019s own.<\/p>\n

With 21 months until the first game of the competition against the hosts, the Wallabies, Robertson and his coaching staff will be looking to solidify selections and combinations before the tournament that he is ultimately judged on.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the All Blacks shape up in the forward pack, going into 2026.<\/p>\n

Note \u2013 Players do not feature twice even if they can play multiple positions<\/p>\n

Loosehead Prop \u2013 Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams<\/a>, Ofa Tu\u2019ungafasi<\/a>, George Bower.<\/p>\n

Next in line: Ollie Norris<\/a>, Xavier Numia<\/a>, Joshua Fusitu\u2019a.<\/p>\n

The All Blacks\u2019 loosehead prop stocks are solid. Not overly impressive after the one-two punch of Williams and de Groot, but they have reliable, experienced campaigners behind them.<\/p>\n

Yes, there are question marks around whether Tu\u2019ungafasi will return to Test level after a serious neck injury, and if Bower will still be at a high enough level come 2027. But there\u2019s no argument that if they were on form and fit for their respective Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> franchises, both of these players are capable of being chucked into a World Cup matchday 23 if it came to it.<\/p>\n

Ollie Norris\u2019 back injury halted any consistent game time for him this season, but with Hurricanes<\/a> prop Xavier Numia<\/a> and Blues<\/a> enforcer Joshua Fusitu\u2019a gaining experience with the All Blacks XV, there\u2019s enough depth there for Robertson and co.<\/p>\n

Hooker \u2013 Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho<\/a>, Asafo Aumua<\/a>, George Bell<\/p>\n

Next in line:\u00a0Brodie McAlister, Jack Taylor<\/p>\n

Hooker depth is something Razor does have at his disposal, but the need to get Aumua fit and raring to go, and Bell some time in the saddle, is key for this specific position.<\/p>\n

Barring injuries, Taylor and Taukei\u2019aho will be the first and second choice come 2027, but the depth is there to feel more than comfortable if any of the six options named are in the matchday 23.<\/p>\n

Aumua and Bell just haven\u2019t played enough rugby in black, but the talent, skillset, and trust is there.<\/p>\n

McAlister was chucked in the deep end and struggled to throw accurately against France, but assistant coach Jason Ryan has talked about how McAlister is one of the best scrummaging hookers around.<\/p>\n

Taylor\u2019s skillset brings something different, plus his athleticism and heart-on-sleeve attitude, showcased in his performances, could be something to watch going forward.<\/p>\n

Tighthead Prop \u2013 Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell<\/a>, Pasilio Tosi<\/p>\n

Next in line:\u00a0Tevita Mafileo, George Dyer<\/a>, Siale Lauaki<\/p>\n

After the end-of-year Grand Slam Northern Tour in 2025, Robertson will likely feel more confident with his options on this side of the scrum.<\/p>\n

Without Lomax for large parts of the International season, Newell and Tosi stood up, especially the latter, gaining trust from his coaches and peers that he can become a safe option if needed.<\/p>\n

Mafileo is one player who needs time in the jersey, but the experience of the tour, even though he didn\u2019t step foot on the field, could leave him in good stead going forward.<\/p>\n

Dyer has held down one side of the scrum for the Chiefs<\/a> in recent years, and Lauaki, the versatile Hurricanes prop that can play both sides of the scrum, has shown great promise for the All Blacks XV.<\/p>\n

If another player is given experience and a number of caps in the next two years prior to the World Cup, this group is where it needs to be.<\/p>\n

Lock \u2013 Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa\u2019i<\/a>, Fabian Holland<\/a>, Patrick Tuipulotu<\/a>, Josh Lord<\/a>, Sam Darry<\/p>\n

Next in line: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jamie Hannah<\/a>, Josh Beehre<\/p>\n

Without a doubt, the most stacked position group. Barrett will benefit from a non-playing sabbatical in 2026, and the emergence of Holland needs no explanation. Lord has finally grown into his body and shown promise in his limited chances, and Tuipulotu\u2019s experience and impact off the bench will be key for Robertson going forward.<\/p>\n

Darry should improve with more time alongside Tuipulotu at the Blues, and then the up-and-coming trio of Ah Kuoi, Hannah and Beerhe from the All Blacks XV<\/a> will keep putting pressure on those in front of them.<\/p>\n

All Blacks lineout coach Bryn Evans<\/a>, who has clearly added a different dimension to this group, will for sure have some tough conversations with his head coach come the end of Super Rugby Pacific in 2026.<\/p>\n

Blindside Flanker \u2013\u00a0Wallace Sititi, Simon Parker<\/a>, Luke Jacobson<\/p>\n

Next in line:\u00a0Samipeni Finau, Ethan Blackadder<\/a>, TK Howden<\/a>, Cory Kellow<\/p>\n

It just feels like the balance isn\u2019t right. Robertson and his coaching staff tried Parker, and he contributed effectively, but sometimes it\u2019s too hard to leave a player like Sititi on the bench for an impact role.<\/p>\n

Luke Jacobson has been Test match proven in the past, and has made 24 caps for the All Blacks therefore can be trusted in the environment if called upon, but his fitness and injury report regularity could cost his All Blacks career.<\/p>\n

The All Blacks have enough discipline issues without Finau in the starting squad, so the Chiefs loose-forward will need to sharpen that up if he wants a look in during 2026.<\/p>\n

Ethan Blackadder is there, purely on the fact that if he can somehow manage to play a consistent season at Super Rugby Pacific level, there\u2019s merit to thinking he will be in and around the squad come July.<\/p>\n

TK Howden continues to bang the door down at NPC and Super Rugby Pacific level, and won\u2019t be too far away from higher honours.<\/p>\n

Kellow is a rising talent, whose Blackadder\/Savea like work around the park often sparks something out of nothing.<\/p>\n

Openside Flanker \u2013\u00a0Ardie Savea, Du\u2019Plessis Kirifi<\/a>, Dalton Papali\u2019i<\/p>\n

Next in line:\u00a0Sean Withy, Oli Mathis<\/p>\n

Why need four when there\u2019s only one option? But in all seriousness, Ardie Savea<\/a> will play 80 minutes throughout the whole tournament if he\u2019s not injured, therefore some of these options might not matter at all.<\/p>\n

But if he were to be injured or not there for whatever reason, Du\u2019Plessis Kirifi<\/a> is the most likely replacement if his upward trajectory continues.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t rule Papali\u2019i out, who captained the All Blacks XV, and clearly is motivated to get back into Robertson\u2019s side after featuring just once in 2025. He\u2019s a reliable option, with 37-Test caps and some World Cup appearances to his name.<\/p>\n

Withy, who was outstanding for Southland in the 2025 NPC, is another option who was with Jamie Joseph<\/a> in the All Blacks XV, providing breakdown expertise, strength, and work-rate.<\/p>\n

Oli Mathis will need two impressive Super Rugby Pacific campaigns at the Crusaders<\/a> if he wants a look in, but there aren\u2019t many more players with such hype around them than the hybrid loose-forward winger from Waikato.<\/p>\n

A Savea injury before or during the World Cup could mean a reshuffle is needed, with Sititi going to No.8, and Peter Lakai<\/a> shifting to No.7.<\/p>\n

No.8 \u2013\u00a0Peter Lakai, Christian Lio-Willie<\/p>\n

Next in line: Devon Flanders, Brayden Iose<\/p>\n

Out and out No.8\u2019s are on the light side compared to what the All Blacks coaching staff might like. But Lakai\u2019s work in 2025 saw him singled out by Robertson as his biggest positive during a tough International calendar.<\/p>\n

Lio-Willie had a couple of bites at the cherry against France, but was left out of the Northern Tour squad as he\u2019s less versatile than other options in his position.<\/p>\n

We need to see more of the Crusaders No.8, but his performances against France<\/a> provide enough of a sample size that if given the opportunity, he can stake a claim in the game day 23.<\/p>\n

Flanders is an interesting one, someone who\u2019s been working tirelessly at NPC and Super Rugby Pacific level for a couple of years, which earned him a selection in Joseph\u2019s AB\u2019s XV squad.<\/p>\n

The coaching staff will like his versatility and bruising attitude, so a big season for the 26-year-old could see him in with a shout.<\/p>\n

Iose, the third Hurricanes loose forward on this list, is fantastic on his day, but missed the playoffs of Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 with an ankle injury, which ruined any chance of making a representative squad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Scott Robertson\u2019s go to talking point in media sessions about player depth has been about being four players…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":173672,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[111,139,69,213],"class_list":{"0":"post-173671","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-new-zealand","9":"tag-newzealand","10":"tag-nz","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}