2024’s Top 100
Not considered due to injury: Wallace Sititi, Sam Darry, Brett Cameron.
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100. Caleb Tangitau – outside back, Highlanders (new)
After struggling to get game time with the Blues, the speedy winger heads south looking for an opportunity. A former sevens exponent, Tangitau has pace and can be elusive with ball in hand, which will serve him well as he looks to become a familiar member of the starting XV in Dunedin.
99. Dominic Gardiner — loose forward, Crusaders (down 24)
A loose forward who can also cover lock, he’ll miss up to six weeks of the new season due to injury. When he returns, his game time could be dictated by which of his teammates are and aren’t available, but he’s a talent to keep an eye on for the future.
98. Taha Kemara – first five-eighths, Crusaders (new)
Limited to just five appearances in 2024, Kemara will be looking to extend his time on the field this season and establish himself on the scene. He’ll have the benefit of working with veteran James O’Connor – and with Rivez Reihana injured, Kemara will have the chances for good minutes early on.
97. Brodie McAlister – hooker, Chiefs (down 14)
McAlister lands in an interesting position with the Chiefs, joining Samisoni Taukei’aho and Bradley Slater in the hooking department. In his time with the Crusaders, McAlister has been able to show glimpses of his abilities, playing with good energy and effort. He does, however, shape up as getting limited opportunities given the depth of the team.
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96. Braydon Ennor – utility back, Crusaders (new)
Ennor returns to this list under an injury cloud – one of several players currently nursing an injury without a set timeline for their return. When (if) he does come back this season, he’ll continue to provide the Crusaders with options in the backline.
95. Nikora Broughton – loose forward, Highlanders (new)
Broughton has gone from strength to strength in his short time with the Highlanders, winning the club’s rookie of the year award in 2023 and playing in all but one game in 2024. The 23-year-old will look to continue that trend this season.
94. Harry Godfrey – first five-eighths, Hurricanes (new)
One way or another, the spotlight will shine on Godfrey this season. Listed as a midfielder but having spent most of his time in Super Rugby Pacific at fullback, Godfrey shapes to spend most of his season at first five-eighths with Brett Cameron ruled out.
93. Bradley Slater – hooker, Chiefs (up 3)
Slater is a reliable lineout thrower and maintains a high workrate, but he has a point of difference in the fact he can cover blindside flanker. Versatility is always an asset in a sport where injuries are common, so expect Slater to make his mark in one way or another.
92. Sean Withy – loose forward, Highlanders (down 16)
Withy brings a physical presence to the pitch and was a solid member of the loose trio for the Highlanders a year ago. He made the most of the minutes on offer last year, and he shapes up as the clear choice to fill the openside with Billy Harmon offshore.
91. Laghlan McWhannell – lock, Blues (new)
McWhannell has always played the game with enthusiasm and energy. Since making the move from the Chiefs to the Blues, he has found more consistent opportunities for playing time and has been a solid option for coach Vern Cotter.
90. Mitchell Drummond – halfback, Crusaders (down 12)
With a strong pass and a boot to match, Drummond won’t often make the plays that appear on highlight reels, but he’s a serviceable half who takes the right options for his team – and a strong deputy to Noah Hotham.
89. Peter Umaga-Jensen – midfield back, Hurricanes (up 3)
With Jordie Barrett in Ireland, Umaga-Jensen can make the Hurricanes’ No 12 jersey his own. He’s a tough man to stop with a head of steam, elusive with his footwork and damaging with his strength. He only made two starts last year and just seven appearances.
88. Simon Parker – loose forward, Chiefs (down 2)
Injuries have hampered his involvement in recent years, but when he’s had opportunities, he has impressed, with a usually high tackle count and good discipline. Parker will continue to get chances to shine in the loose trio.
87. Brad Shields – loose forward, Hurricanes (down 3)
Shields returned straight into captaincy with the Hurricanes after plying his trade in the Northern Hemisphere, and the loose forward with nine caps for England has been a consistent contributor for the side. He looks set to play that leadership role again with the No 6 on his back this season.
86. Marcel Renata – prop, Blues (new)
A versatile prop, Renata comes into the new year off a strong campaign in 2024, when he was a constant presence in the starting front row for the championship-winning Blues. He shapes up to resume the role in 2025.
85. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens – outside back, Highlanders (down 16)
Finally getting a proper crack at a starting role, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens thrived at fullback for the Highlanders and was a bright spot in their season. Unfortunately, the talented back will have to wait until the second half of the season to make his mark as he continues to recover from a neck injury.
84. Cameron Suafoa – lock, Blues (up 7)
Suafoa can float between lock and loose forward and after making a strong impression in his opportunities so far, shapes up as a likely contributor in Vern Cotter’s match-day squad.
83. Cam Millar – first five-eighths, Highlanders (down 3)
There was plenty of intrigue around who would be the Highlanders’ No 10 when the season begins, and it appears Millar will have to bide his time a little more before he takes the reins. Millar is a talented playmaker, but he may take some time before he finds his comfort zone.
82. Macca Springer – outside back, Crusaders (down 26)
After starting 2024 as the first choice on the Crusaders’ left wing, Springer found himself in and out of the rotation as the season went on. For the second season in a row, he made nine appearances last season, with three off the bench. He’s a talented young player, and perhaps 2025 could be the year he takes strides to becoming a lock-in for the match-day squad.
81. Pasilio Tosi – prop, Hurricanes (new)
Tosi was a surprise inclusion in the All Blacks at the end of 2024, after making 10 appearances for the Hurricanes last season, including six starts. Tosi is a strong scrummager and as a former No 8, he knows how to operate with ball in hand. It will be interesting to see how he is used in the Hurricanes this season.
80. Kurt Eklund – hooker, Blues (down 10)
Eklund’s attacking nous has made him a force from close range at times. He’s tough, goes looking for work and makes the most of his time on the pitch. He’s settled largely into back-up minutes for the Blues, when he has made his mark late.
79. Julian Savea – outside back, Moana Pasifika (down 12)
The Bus still has gas in the tank. A vital member of Moana Pasifika for both his ability and experience, he’ll look to reclaim the title of the competition’s all-time leading try-scorer outright this season.
78. Chay Fihaki – outside back, Crusaders (down 1)
With a strong boot and the ability to create something from nothing, Fihaki is a talented player who is always looking to take his opportunities, whether they’re on the wing or at fullback.
77. Aidan Ross – prop, Chiefs (down 33)
Ross has emerged as a high-level prop in recent years, making his mark through his physicality and a strong scrummaging game. Ross has been a consistent presence for the Chiefs over the past couple of seasons.
76. Levi Aumua – midfield back, Crusaders (down 53)
After being the talk of the competition in 2023, the move to the Crusaders in 2024 did not lead to much success for the hard-running midfielder as he struggled to make an impact. If he can get back to his best, he’ll easily outplay this ranking.
75. Devan Flanders – loose forward, Hurricanes (down 16)
Expected to challenge for the starting No 6 jersey this season, Flanders suffered what sounds like a serious leg injury during training recently and is set to miss time. How much time remains unclear, so he lands a spot in the top 100 – he’ll make an impact if he gets the chance.
74. Xavier Roe – halfback, Chiefs (up 8)
A player who likes to back his instincts and bring energy to the pitch, Roe will start the season in the Chiefs No 9 jersey – just like he did last year, though it’ll take some big performances to take that role fulltime from Cortez Ratima. Still, Roe has been a quality contributor in whichever role Clayton McMillan deploys him in and that’ll be the case in 2025.
73. George Bell – hooker, Crusaders (down 2)
Bell would likely be ranked higher than this had he not copped a foot injury during the last week of the pre-season. The official line from the Crusaders is “his return to play is unclear at this stage”. Add in Codie Taylor being back this year and the promising young hooker will be sharing the load.
72. Quinten Strange – lock, Crusaders (down 29)
Reliable at lineout time and on the defensive side of the ball, Strange will look to reassert himself into the mix for the Crusaders when he returns from a pectoral injury suffered while playing for Tasman in the NPC late last year.
71. Angus Ta’avao – prop, Blues (down 24)
Able to play both sides of the scrum, Ta’avao is a dependable anchor in the pack and is more than willing to flash his attacking skills if the situation requires it. He’ll provide consistency off the bench for Vern Cotter’s group this year.
70. Thomas Umaga-Jensen – midfield, Highlanders (new)
After missing last season with injury, Umaga-Jensen will have to wait until at least week three before he’s back in action. When he’s at his best, he’s one of the best ball-carrying midfielders in the competition.
69. Daniel Rona – midfield, Chiefs (up 18)
Rona runs on to the ball hard, can break the line with his strength and has the confidence to move the ball on. He’s sound defensively and provides a comfortable layer of depth to the Chiefs midfield. Last year, he also showed he’s more than capable of filling in on the wing, too.
68. Hugh Renton – loose forward, Highlanders (down 16)
A player who goes looking for work on the paddock and attacks the breakdown, Renton’s season was cut short due to injury in 2024. This season, he’ll look to take another step in his game as captain of the Highlanders.
67. Finlay Christie – halfback, Blues (down 34)
Christie is quick off the mark and can burn a defence with his pace. His delivery and read of the game is solid, but it’s his defensive prowess that provides a point of difference.
66. Josh Jacomb – first five-eighths, Chiefs (new)
With Damien McKenzie covering at fullback while Shaun Stevenson is in Japan (and unavailable until week four), opportunity knocks for the young playmaker. Jacomb was impressive in his first taste of Super Rugby last season and certainly didn’t look out of his depth running the cutter for the Chiefs. Chances will likely be limited once Stevenson returns, but he’s definitely a player to look out for.
65. Jona Nareki – wing, Highlanders (down 23)
When he’s fit, Nareki can be one of the best attacking players in the competition. However, in the past couple of seasons he has had his playing time limited, and that will be the case again in 2025 as he’s expected to miss the first four weeks of the competition due to injury.
64. Tom Christie – loose forward, Crusaders (down 36)
Christie has been a defensive talisman in the Crusaders loose forwards for a few years now, constantly among the top 10 tacklers in the league. He looks set to make his mark from the bench in 2025, though, where he’ll look to put his talents to use and impact the game late.
63. Isaia Walker-Leawere – lock, Hurricanes (no change)
A physical, athletic lock, Walker-Leawere’s game has continually developed in his time with the Hurricanes. He’ll be a key feature for them at the set piece this season.
62. George Bower – prop, Crusaders (down 24)
Bower is a dependable player in the Crusaders’ front row. He does his core roles well and benefited from growth in his game during his time with the All Blacks. The Crusaders’ propping group is very well-stocked this season, so he’ll likely be doing most of his work from the bench this year.
61. Ollie Norris – prop, Chiefs (down 3)
Norris attacks the game from a physicality standpoint and does some strong work in the contact areas. He’s a good scrummager and became a reliable threat off the bench for the Chiefs in the past two seasons.
60. Taufa Funaki – halfback, Blues (new)
Another contender to outplay his ranking in this list, Funaki was impressive for the Blues last year, splitting his time between starting and coming off the bench. Funaki plays the game at pace and takes the opportunities on offer.
59. Kaylum Boshier – loose forward, Chiefs (down 4)
Boshier brings plenty of effort to the pitch as well as a calm head and will have the opportunities to impress, at least early in the campaign, in the absence of Wallace Sititi. Expect Boshier to be a regular fixture in the Chiefs’ line-up, but he may rotate in and out of the starting XV.
58. Adrian Choat – loose forward, Blues (up 23)
Choat attacks the breakdown and hits hard in the collision. He’s been a constant performer from the Blues’ bench, a role he’s likely to continue in 2025, and has made a similar impact when starting.
57. A.J. Lam – outside back, Blues (up 15)
Lam brought his blend of power, speed and smarts to the Blues backline in 2024, with starts in 13 of his 15 outings – including in the final. During that time, he started on both wings and both midfield positions, and that versatility will be key to him getting game time in 2025.
56. Caleb Delany – lock, Hurricanes (up 4)
One of the country’s most promising young locks, Delany can cover lock or flanker and plays the game with intensity and intent. He constantly puts up a high tackle count and goes looking for work. Expect him to feature heavily for the Hurricanes this season.
55. James O’Connor – first five-eighths, Crusaders (new)
In mid-August, it will have been three years since O’Connor’s last test for Australia and his parents are from New Zealand so, yes, the former Wallabies No 10 will officially be All Blacks-eligible this year. He’ll bring a much-needed veteran presence in the playmaking role, with his ability and game management sure to prove beneficial for last year’s strugglers.
54. Christian Lio-Willie – loose forward, Crusaders (up 10)
Injuries to teammates gave Lio-Willie plenty of opportunities to shine last season – and he did exactly that as a dominant ball-carrier and strong tackler. He’s earned the No 8 jersey in Rob Penney’s team this year and will look to continue what looking like a very promising combination with Cullen Grace and Ethan Blackadder.
53. Xavier Numia – prop, Hurricanes (new)
Solid in his core roles, but it was really Numia’s abilities with ball in hand and a bit of space to work with that caught people’s attention last season. Numia is a true X-factor player, bringing a unique blend of skills to the Hurricanes front row.
52. Ruben Love – utility back, Hurricanes (down 17)
An exciting talent with a great read of the game and an exciting skillset, Love finally had the breakout season he had been threatening for a while, earning his All Blacks debut as a result. He’d be ranked much higher if he wasn’t missing the first half of the season due to injury.
51. Zarn Sullivan – outside back, Blues (down 11)
Sullivan’s electric skillset served him well as he enjoyed the opportunity to own the Blues’ No 15 jersey last season. Able to play at first five as well, he’s got good vision and a solid kicking game, he’s quick and can test defenders with his carrying or move the ball on to teammates. It will be interesting to see what Beauden Barrett’s return means for Sullivan’s campaign – both in terms of impact and where he is deployed.
50. Sam Gilbert – utility back, Highlanders(up 1)
First five-eighths, fullback, midfield, wing – hell, if he was asked to start in the forwards I’m sure he would give it a crack. Gilbert has been a rather valuable asset for the Highlanders in recent seasons, though looks set to be deployed in the midfield – at least in the opening rounds. With a skillset that allows him to cover anywhere in the backline, he’s someone opponents have to be wary of.
49. Brayden Iose – loose forward, Hurricanes (up 39)
Iose’s play for the Hurricanes last season had many asking if he could be an All Blacks bolter. That will likely again be a common question for the dominant loosie and he looks to again make a mark. Iose plays the game hard, running good lines, carrying with strength and pace and makes plenty of tackles.
48. Anton Segner – loose forward, Blues (up 6)
There’s always one player on this list I expect to outplay their ranking and this season, Segner fits the bill. He’ll get the first crack at owning the No 6 jersey following Akira Ioane’s departure, and his physical, high-workrate style of rugby could make him a fixture in that role for the season.
47. Dallas McLeod – utility back, Crusaders (down 10)
McLeod is a versatile player who can fill roles both in the midfield and on the wing, with determined ball-carrying, solid distribution skills and a strong defensive game. He’s consistent and has become a strong asset for the Crusaders.
46. Kini Naholo – wing, Hurricanes (up 47)
Naholo’s potential as a strike weapon on the wing has been seen in his time with Taranaki in the NPC – and this year needs to be the season he brings it to the Hurricanes. Naholo is strong and elusive but hasn’t had the same success as his contemporaries in recent seasons. But with Salesi Rayasi and Josh Moorby both offshore, 2025 is Naholo’s season to be the lead weapon in the Hurricanes backline.
45. Timoci Tavatavanawai – utility back, Highlanders (new)
Tavatavanawai has made his name with the Highlanders as a fast and physical presence on the wing. This year, however, it looks like he will show what he is capable of in the midfield – at least to start the campaign – and has earned the co-captaincy.
44. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – loose forward, Chiefs (up 5)
An established cog in the Chiefs machine, the energetic lock finds a way to make his mark, be it starting or from off the bench. He’s got a terrific read at the lineout and often disrupts or steals opposition throws, and he’s active in hunting turnovers at the breakdown. He also has the ability to cover the blindside, so he’ll again be a match-day regular for the side.
43. Cullen Grace – loose forward, Crusaders (down 28)
Able to play lock or in the loose forwards, Grace is a talented player. The only issue seems to be his durability. Given the style of game he plays, Grace opens himself up to a lot of wear and tear and spending time on the sidelines can limit his impact.
42. Fabian Holland – lock, Highlanders (up 19)
Holland falls into my list of top five players to watch this season. He’s a strong young talent and, now All Blacks eligible, could certainly make a play for higher honours in 2025. In 2024, Holland was among the top 10 tacklers in the game and was among the top lineout targets in the Kiwi teams.
41. Folau Fakatava – halfback, Highlanders (down 20)
After a breakout year in 2023, Fakatava appeared to take a step back last season as he was again deployed mostly as an impact option off the bench. He’s great in that role, with his acceleration and footwork causing havoc for opposition defences late, but Highlanders fans might be expecting more from their two-test All Black.
40. Noah Hotham – halfback, Crusaders (up 26)
In 2024, we called him the Crusaders’ “halfback of the future”. We can change that to the Crusaders’ halfback of now. Hotham was among a number of breakout stars in the competition last year, taking on the role of the starting halfback and looking comfortable in doing so. He’s a talented player with speed, vision and quality delivery.
39. Tyrel Lomax – prop, Hurricanes (down 23)
Lomax has established himself as one of the game’s elite props with his strong scrummaging and activity in open play. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, an injury looks set to have him pinned to the sidelines for the first few weeks of the season. There is no official timeline for his return at time of writing this, hence the drop in rankings.
38. Etene Nanai-Seturo – outside back, Chiefs (up 19)
Has the speed, acceleration and footwork to be a menace for defences and knows how to finish a try. He had a strong season in 2024, being among the top three in linebreaks, top five in metres gained and top 10 in defenders beaten. He’ll be a threat again for the Chiefs in 2025.
37. Ricky Riccitelli – hooker, Blues (up 13)
Riccitelli has taken strides in his game over the past couple of season that have seen him earn the job of Blues first-choice hooker, after battling for playing time in previous seasons. Workrate is the key phrase when it comes to Riccitelli’s game. He makes plenty of tackles, contests the breakdown and knows how to find the tryline from close range.
36. Josh Lord – lock, Chiefs (down 9)
After a couple of injury-impacted seasons, Lord looks set to start the campaign fit and firing on all cylinders in the Chiefs’ engine room. There’s nothing flashy about the way Lord goes about his business, but he’s strong in his core roles and knows how to make his mark.
35. Stephen Perofeta – first five-eighths, Blues (down 13)
When fit, his vision, decision-making and ball-running are all valuable assets in a high-powered Blues offence and he’s proven he can use all the options available to him to make the right play. Beauden Barrett’s return raises some questions about what his role might look like in 2025.
34. Quinn Tupaea – midfield, Chiefs (up 2)
Tupaea, at is best, is a hard man to stop. He attacks the line with pace and can run through defences or around them. He’ll start the year in the No 12 jersey and will be looking to remind everyone what he’s capable of after limited time in 2024.
33. Du’Plessis Kirifi – loose forward, Hurricanes (up 8)
Be it charging on to the ball, making a tackle or getting stuck into the breakdown, he doesn’t do anything by half measures. He knows where his strengths lie and plays the game accordingly.
32. Harry Plummer – utility back, Blues (up 30)
While being the utility guy in a team can often be a challenging role, Plummer has embraced it and has flourished in what has become a consistent role in the Blues’ starting line-up. Plummer got a well-deserved All Blacks call-up on the back of his 2024 play and he’ll again be an important part in the backline, be it at No 10, No 12 or off the bench.
31. Fletcher Newell – prop, Crusaders (down 11)
Among a host of young props who have burst on to the scene in recent years, Newell, still just 24, is a strong scrummager who carries the ball with intent and even has a bit of footwork to go with it. He’s a constant worker and will look to play his part in helping the Crusaders turn things around this season.
30. Billy Proctor – midfield back, Hurricanes (up 23)
Among the breakout players of the 2024 season, Proctor earned himself an All Blacks debut on the back of a strong campaign in which he showcased his talent with ball in hand and his workrate without it. What is interesting for him this year is the absence of Jordie Barrett inside him. Could Proctor look to spend time at 12 and add something more to his game in 2025? Time will tell.
29. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – prop, Blues(up 3)
Who would have thought Tu’ungafasi would turn into a try-scoring machine in 2024? Add that to his strength in his core roles and effort across the park and Tu’ungafasi looks set to resume his role as one of the game’s premier props.
28. Shaun Stevenson – outside back, Chiefs (down 18)
Taking the option of starting the season on a short-term sabbatical in Japan, Stevenson won’t be available for the Chiefs until week four. He’s established himself as one of the top fullbacks in the competition with not only his ability with ball in hand but the asset of his kicking game too. It will be interesting to see how he is reintegrated when he returns.
27. David Havili – utility back, Crusaders (down 8)
Able to cover anywhere in the backline, Havili has a strong running game, which is well complemented by his kicking abilities. The 30-year-old figures to play primarily at second-five in 2025 – his preferred position – and take on the captaincy duties too. A big season could follow.
26. Cortez Ratima – halfback, Chiefs (up 39)
Ratima took every opportunity in 2024, establishing himself as the first-choice No 9 at the Chiefs, impressing through his decision-making, attacking nous and kicking game en route to a different black jersey. Expect more of the same in 2025.
25. Emoni Narawa – wing, Chiefs (up 1)
Narawa’s finishing instincts and abilities were made clear in 2024. He missed the first half of the season through injury but still managed to be one of just five players to score double-digit tries.
24. Sevu Reece – outside back, Crusaders (up 1)
The shining light in a dark season for the Crusaders, Reece continues to be among the gold standard for the modern-day wing. He goes looking for work, exploits space when it’s on offer and has developed a knack for securing turnovers at the breakdown. Expect him to feature heavily on both sides of the ball again this year.
23. Peter Lakai – loose forward, Hurricanes (up 45)
Wellington fans have been excited about Lakai’s potential and in 2024 we saw why. He takes plenty of carries and makes plenty of tackles. Most of his time in the saddle was starting at either openside or No 8 last season, but he can be effective starting or coming from the bench.
22. Ethan Blackadder – loose forward, Crusaders(down 6)
For the third year in a row, we come into the season looking at Blackadder through rose-tinted glasses. When he’s on the field, he is a talented physical presence and last year even showed his ability to play openside, with a few impressive outings there. But injuries continue to plague his career. Will this year be any different? Hopefully.
21. Anton Lienert-Brown – midfield back, Chief (down 4)
A veteran in the Chiefs backline, Lienert-Brown has had his issues with injury in the past but when he’s on the field, he’s a key presence for his side with ball in hand. He again shapes up as a key cog in their title hopes.
20. Asafo Aumua – hooker, Hurricanes (up 14)
Expected to miss the first week or two of the season due to injury, Aumua has taken a firm hold of the reins in the No 2 jersey with the Hurricanes. He has always had the strength and speed to be a threat with ball in hand, but in recent years has improved in other areas of the game.
19. Rieko Ioane – midfield back, Blues (down 14)
The threat he poses with ball in hand remains his calling card, but Ioane has shown improvements in his distribution since making the move to the midfield. He drew plenty of heat in 2024 for a lack of tries, but he still makes his presence felt in other ways.
18. Luke Jacobson – loose forward, Chiefs (down 12)
Capable of playing any position in the loose trio, Jacobson always plays hard, bringing physicality and a high workrate to the pitch. This year will be his second as the captain of the team, so he’ll look to set the tone once again.
17. Dalton Papali’i – loose forward, Blues (down 8)
Papali’i might not have had his best campaign in 2024 – but it certainly wasn’t a bad one. The Blues loosie was second in the league in tackles made, with 208 to his name, and he began the 2024 test season wearing the No 7 jersey for the All Blacks. That jersey will again be in his sights, so look for the Blues workhorse to once again stake his claim.
16. Tamaiti Williams – prop, Crusaders (down 5)
He has the size and strength to impose himself on opposition front rows and his days as a loosie have served him well in terms of skill on the ball. He’s taken advantage of every opportunity with the Crusaders and has developed into a real weapon in the front row.
15. Samipeni Finau – loose forward, Chiefs (up 9)
Everyone loves an enforcer-type – almost as much as Finau loves a perfectly timed hit on an opposition 10. He’s a big-effort, big-engine player, who can play his way right back into the frame for the All Blacks’ No 6 jersey with another strong season.
14. Beauden Barrett – first five-eighths, Blues (new)
Seems a bit low for the (equal) most expensive player in Fantasy Super Rugby doesn’t it? We all know exactly what Barrett is capable of, but he returns from Japan into a team that just won a title without him, under a coach he has never played for, with a squad featuring at least three other capable starting 10s/fullbacks. It raises a few question marks around what sort of impact he will have.
13. Samisoni Taukei’aho – hooker, Chiefs (down 6)
Another who will be unavailable for round one. When Taukei’aho returns, he will bring his strong ball-carrying ability and surprising turn of foot to the Chiefs attack, as well as his strong set-piece abilities.
12. Codie Taylor – hooker, Crusaders (new)
Was not included in this list last year as a period of extended leave meant he didn’t play much of the competition. At Taylor’s best, he can impact a team in plenty of ways – be those at the set piece or in open play. He’ll miss a little bit of time at the start of the season but will have plenty of time to make his mark when he’s back.
11. Ethan de Groot – prop, Highlanders (down 3)
De Groot has consistently impressed in Super Rugby over the past few seasons with his physical ball-carrying and strong scrummaging. He’ll be the Highlanders’ anchor once again.
10. Patrick Tuipulotu – lock, Blues (up 38)
Tuipulotu had a campaign disrupted by injury – but when he was fit, he was a force for the Blues. This was particularly on show in the grand final, where he put in a huge, physical shift to lead his team to the title, bagging the man-of-the-match medal as well.
9. Scott Barrett – lock, Crusaders (down 7)
Barrett brings physicality every time he steps on to the pitch and since relinquishing Crusaders captaincy duties this season, he’ll be able to focus solely on his performance.
8. Tupou Vaa’i – lock, Chiefs (up 5)
There was plenty of curiosity about how Vaa’i would respond after Brodie Retallick left the Chiefs at the end of the 2023 season. He emerged as one of the best locks in the country in 2024, with his efforts defensively and around the breakdown adding to an already solid core skillset. Still just 25, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the potential growth Vaa’i still has.
7. Mark Tele’a – outside back, Blues (down 3)
Tele’a has become a superstar of the game, with his ability to consistently beat the first defender in particular making him a tough assignment for opposition defences. In 2024, he was a top-six player – at worst – in tries scored, carries, linebreaks, defenders beaten, metres gained and offloads.
6. Caleb Clarke – outside back, Blues (up 12)
What was said above about Tele’a – stats included, minus offloads – goes for Clarke too, though he goes a different way about it. Clarke has developed into a quality power winger, using his strength as well as his speed to make the most of his opportunities. After a disappointing campaign in 2023, Clarke was one of several Blues who bounced back in a big way in 2024.
5. Will Jordan – outside back, Crusaders (new)
With an uncanny ability to make opposition teams pay with his speed and strength with ball in hand, Jordan is healthy for week one of the season for the first time since 2022. Smart with his carry and an eye for the tryline, expect Jordan to be a much-needed weapon in the Crusaders backline.
4. Damian McKenzie – first five-eighths, Chiefs (down 1)
McKenzie has made the Chiefs No 10 jersey his own in two seasons since returning from a stint in Japan, guiding the Hamiltonians to back-to-back (though ultimately unsuccessful) grand final appearances. Expect more of the same from the fleet-footed maestro as the Chiefs look to go one better in 2025.
3. Hoskins Sotutu – loose forward, Blues (up 28)
The best player in the competition last year, coach Vern Cotter found a way to unlock the best version of his barnstorming No 8 as he dominated opposing defences with his physicality and skill. For now, at least, he remains an option for the All Blacks – and you can expect him to come up in watercooler conversations throughout the season.
2. Cam Roigard – halfback, Hurricanes (up 10)
There will be plenty of attention on the newly minted All Blacks No 9 this season as the Hurricanes look for someone to lead them. Roigard has a way of exploiting space with his speed and acceleration off the mark, a strong kicking game and stands his ground defensively.
1. Ardie Savea – loose forward, Moana Pasifika (new)
After a year playing in Japan, Savea is back home and looks set to be back at his imposing best. Savea has long been among the best players in the competition and he’ll have every opportunity to prove he is still that guy as he looks to lead Moana Pasifika.
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