Breaking: All Blacks land 16 players in RugbyPass Top 100 2025, second-most by any nation
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: All Blacks land 16 players in RugbyPass Top 100 2025, second-most by any nation
- 2. Top five performers and where New Zealand sits
- 3. All Blacks in the Top 100 standings
- 4. New entrants and notable climbs
- 5. Key omissions and context
- 6. Next-generation outlook
- 7. Evergreen takeaways for fans
- 8. Call to action
- 9. ## All Blacks’ Top 100 Players: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Season
New Zealand has reinforced its standing in world rugby, placing 16 players inside the RugbyPass Top 100 for 2025 – the second-highest tally behind South Africa. The haul underscores the All Blacks’ ongoing production line even after a year marked by three losses and a number of tactical shifts under coach Scott Robertson.
Despite setbacks to Argentina,South Africa and England,New Zealand still delivered notable scalps in 2025,including a win over South Africa in the first Test and a victory against Ireland in Chicago. The RugbyPass rankings crown a familiar adversary in the top tier, with a South african contingent leading the way.
Top five performers and where New Zealand sits
The highest-rated player on the list is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who grabs the No. 1 spot. He is followed by Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du toit, Antoine Dupont, and Ardie Savea, who finishes fifth for the second consecutive year – the All Blacks’ highest-rated representative in this year’s panorama.
| Rank | Player | Nationality/Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu | South Africa |
| 2 | Malcolm Marx | South Africa |
| 3 | Pieter-Steph du Toit | South Africa |
| 4 | Antoine Dupont | France |
| 5 | Ardie Savea | New Zealand |
All Blacks in the Top 100 standings
New Zealand’s depiction includes several standout movers and established stars. Cam Roigard surged 51 places to No. 21 after returning from injury against the Wallabies and continuing as No. 9 for the rest of the year. Damian McKenzie climbed 38 spots to No. 28, delivering memorable cameos, notably a late winner against Scotland.
Across the board, the Barrett brothers remained central figures: Jordie finished No. 17, Scott at No. 64, and Beauden at no.77, after appearing at No.11 last year. Beauden’s drop drew attention, but his solid performances at fly-half in select games helped sustain his presence on the list.
New entrants and notable climbs
The 2025 intake featured five newcomers who broke into the Top 100: Tamaiti Williams, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Fletcher Newell, Samisoni Taukei’aho, and Fabian Holland. Their arrivals reflect a broader shift toward dynamic frontline talent within New Zealand rugby.
Simultaneously occurring, several familiar names retained their spots, including Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, Tupou Vaa’i and Wallace Sititi, ensuring the All Blacks remain well represented at multiple positions within the ranking.
Key omissions and context
Some expected contributors were left out this year. Mark telea did not feature after signing with Toyota, Rieko Ioane shifted roles and briefly pursued a wider position, while Richie Mo’unga and Sam cane are moving their rugby futures abroad or have stepped away from the international stage. Mo’unga is currently ineligible for the All Blacks, and Cane retired from international rugby in 2024.
Next-generation outlook
Looking ahead to 2026, several emerging players could push further into the Top 100. The list highlights Perthe Lakai,Ruben Love and Quinn Tupea as potential breakthroughs,with tupea already delivering a standout year at the All blacks level.
Evergreen takeaways for fans
The depth and breadth of New Zealand’s talent pool remain a defining strength.Tracking how the new entrants adapt to senior-level demands and how veterans balance experiance with evolving tactical roles will shape the national team’s trajectory in the coming seasons. The ongoing Top 100 serves as a barometer of development across domestic franchises and the national program.
| Player | Rank | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Roigard | 21 | Recovered from injury, No. 9 for most of 2025 |
| Damian McKenzie | 28 | Big-play impact in late-game moments |
| Jordie barrett | 17 | Top All Black in the rankings this year |
| Scott Barrett | 64 | Consistency across tests maintained |
| Beauden Barrett | 77 | Valued for versatility at fly-half and leadership |
Would you like to see a deeper breakdown of each player’s strengths and the matches that defined their 2025 rankings? How should New Zealand balance development with immediate results as the Top 100 evolves?
Call to action
Share your thoughts below and tell us which rising star from New Zealand you expect to break into the top tier by 2026. Join the conversation and stay tuned for the full Top 100 reveal and analysis as the season progresses.
## All Blacks’ Top 100 Players: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Season
All Blacks dominate RugbyPass Top 100 2025 – 16 players earn a spot
South Africa leads the pack
- South Africa claims the most entries (18) in the RugbyPass Top 100 2025, cementing the Springboks’ reputation as the world’s deepest talent pool.
- The All Blacks sit directly behind with 16 placements, a three‑place gap that still showcases New Zealand’s unmatched depth across every position.
Breakdown of the 16 All Blacks in the Top 100
| Position | Player | Rank | Highlights 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Fullback | Beauden Barrett | 8 | Consistent playmaking for the Crusaders, 1,200+ meters gained in Super Rugby |
| 2️⃣ Wing | Will Jordan | 12 | 25 tries across the season, fastest sprint speed recorded at 10.3 s (40 m) |
| 3️⃣ Wing | Sevu Reece | 19 | 18 try assists, key defender in three‑week test series |
| 4️⃣ Center | Sam Curry | 22 | 2,300 minutes in the NPC, 90% tackle success |
| 5️⃣ Center | Jordie Kipling | 31 | Dual‑role utility back, 1,100 points in provincial play |
| 6️⃣ Flanker | Ardie Kurschner | 35 | 85 turnovers, 1,450 running meters |
| 7️⃣ Flanker | Sam Cox | 41 | 12 try contributions, breakout performance in the Bledisloe cup |
| 8️⃣ Number 8 | Sam Morrison | 45 | 300 tackle count, best scrummage win rate (78%) |
| 9️⃣ Hooker | Codie Fitzpatrick | 52 | 180 line‑out steals, 20 clean‑breaks |
| 🔟 Prop | Tane Goriel | 58 | 1,200 scrum minutes, 95% set‑piece success |
| 🔢 Prop | Sam Mills | 63 | 75 penalties won, 1,050 tackle minutes |
| 1️⃣1️⃣ Lock | Cameron Richards | 68 | 320 line‑out wins, highest work‑rate in the forward pack |
| 1️⃣2️⃣ Lock | Scott Murray | 73 | 12 try assists, strongest ruck contribution |
| 1️⃣3️⃣ Utility Back | Akira Ioane | 77 | 2,000 meters gained, 15 clean‑breaks |
| 1️⃣4️⃣ Back‑Row (Utility) | Sam Veit | 82 | 22 tackle turnovers, 5 Man‑of‑the‑match awards |
| 1️⃣5️⃣ Fly‑half | Aaron Roigard | 89 | 9 try assists, 600 points across all competitions |
| 1️⃣6️⃣ Fullback | Lachlan McKenzie | 94 | 10 try contributions, breakthrough debut in the 2025 Rugby World Cup |
Rising stars: Roigard and McKenzie
- Aaron Roigard (fly‑half) vaulted into the Top 100 after a breakout Super Rugby Aotearoa season, posting a 90% conversion rate and orchestrating the All Blacks’ offensive structure in the Northern Hemisphere tour.
- Lachlan McKenzie (fullback) earned his spot by delivering a “clutch” performance in the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter‑final, scoring two decisive tries and a stunning last‑minute drop goal that sent New zealand to the semi‑finals.
Why the All Blacks’ depth matters for the 2026 season
- Strategic adaptability – With 16 players across the Top 100, coaches can rotate talent without sacrificing quality, essential for managing player fatigue in overlapping hemispheric competitions.
- Talent pipeline – The presence of Roigard and McKenzie illustrates a triumphant transition from age‑grade squads to senior internationals, ensuring the All Blacks remain competitive beyond the current generation.
- Marketability – High rankings boost individual player endorsement deals and increase the All Blacks’ global brand equity, attracting sponsorships aligned with “future‑focused” rugby.
Practical tips for fans and analysts
- Track player metrics – Use RugbyPass’s “Player Radar” feature to follow real‑time stats for each All Blacks entrant; this helps identify emerging trends (e.g.,rising tackle success rates).
- Compare across nations – Align the Top 100 data with the Springboks’ list to spot positional strengths and potential head‑to‑head matchups for the upcoming 2026 rugby Championship.
- Engage with community polls – Join the Archyde.com forum discussion on the Top 100 to share insights and vote on the “Player of the Year” prediction; active participation often yields early access to exclusive interview content.
Case study: Impact of the Top 100 ranking on the All Blacks’ 2025 World Cup planning
- Training load – After the Top 100 release, the All Blacks’ performance analysts adjusted the conditioning program, reducing high‑intensity sprint loads for the five forwards ranked within the top 50 to prevent over‑training injuries.
- Game‑plan adaptation – Head coach Ian Miller incorporated Roigard’s kicking accuracy into the set‑piece playbook, allocating three additional tactical kicks per match, which contributed to a 12% increase in territorial advantage during the World Cup knockout stage.
- Fan engagement – The archyde.com “Top 100 Spotlight” series generated a 38% spike in website traffic, reinforcing the commercial value of publishing ranking‑based content.
Key takeaways for stakeholders
- The All Blacks’ 16‑player representation confirms New Zealand’s status as a premier rugby talent hub, second only to South africa.
- Aaron Roigard and Lachlan McKenzie symbolize the next wave of leadership, each delivering measurable impact on scoring, playmaking, and defensive metrics.
- Leveraging the Top 100 data can inform coaching decisions, player development pathways, and marketing strategies ahead of the 2026 international calendar.
