Unveiling New Zealand’s U23 All Blacks XV: Dominant Tight Five, Seeking Midfield Prowess

New Zealand’s rugby powerhouse reputation often extends beyond the senior level, with a history of dominance in age-grade competitions. However, recent years have seen a decline in U20 success, raising questions about the future depth and talent pipeline for the All Blacks.

Despite this, the correlation between U20 success and subsequent World Cup achievements remains indirect. While New Zealand’s U20 dominance waned, other nations like South Africa and England have claimed titles, highlighting the unpredictability of youth rugby.

Examining the talent pool emerging for the All Blacks’ future, one area shines brightly: the lock position. Despite concerns about other sports vying for tall athletes, New Zealand boasts exceptional depth in the second row. Notably, players like Zach Gallagher and Jamie Hannah showcase this depth, even if they miss the cut for the U23 squad.

With towering locks and hefty props, the U23 All Blacks XV boasts a monstrous tight five. However, the midfield presents a contrasting picture, lacking proven depth. While Gideon Wrampling shows promise, the 22-year-old awaits significant game time to truly shine in Super Rugby.

Meanwhile, the fly-half position offers intrigue, with several prospects eyeing the coveted starting role. Names like Josh Jacomb and Taha Kemara highlight the competition for the number 10 jersey.

Despite midfield uncertainties, the U23 squad showcases depth across positions, with representation from various Super Rugby Pacific teams. The Blues lead the pack, followed closely by the Hurricanes and Highlanders.

Presenting the hypothetical New Zealand U23 team:

Starting XV:

• Front Row: Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders), George Bell (Crusaders), Saula Ma’u (Highlanders)
• Second Row: Josh Lord (Chiefs), Sam Darry (Blues)
• Back Row: Sean Withy (Highlanders), Anton Segner (Blues), Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
• Halfbacks: Cam Roigard (Hurricanes), Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
• Midfield: Macca Springer (Crusaders), Riley Higgins (Hurricanes)
• Outside Backs: Corey Evans (Blues), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders), Zarn Sullivan (Blues)

Reserves:

• Jack Taylor (Highlanders), Josh Fusitu’a (Blues), Seb Calder (Crusaders), Fabian Holland (Highlanders), Dominic Gardiner (Crusaders), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs), Cam Millar (Highlanders), Chay Fihaki (Crusaders)

Honourable Mentions: Caleb Tangitau, Gideon Wrampling, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona, Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Morgan, Harry Godfrey, Noah Hotham, Jamie Hannah, Zach Gallagher, Nikora Broughton, Ajay Faleafaga.

As New Zealand looks towards nurturing its next generation of rugby stars, the U23 All Blacks XV stands as a testament to the nation’s enduring rugby legacy, brimming with potential and promise for the future.