Christian Lio-Willie is set to make his All Blacks return from the bench against Scotland this weekend, seizing his chance after being forced to the outer earlier this season. The 28-year-old loose forward earned his recall by starring for Otago in the NPC, a performance that impressed new coach Dave Rennie enough to reward him with a spot on the Northern Tour, 1News reported.
This recall is a statement on Rennie’s new-look All Blacks and a direct response to the team’s evolving tactical identity. The All Blacks seek to reassert their dominance on the global stage and Rennie is keen to stamp his authority with a squad built for a modern, expansive style of play.
Contract Leverage for Lio-Willie
- Contract Leverage: A strong performance against Scotland could enhance Lio-Willie’s market value, potentially leading to a new deal or a central contract offer from New Zealand Rugby.
From the Outer to the Impact Bench
When Dave Rennie named his maiden All Blacks squad in June, there was a distinct lack of outrage over Christian Lio-Willie’s omission. The burgeoning crop of loose forwards at his disposal had pushed the Aucklander to the periphery. After being overlooked for the subsequent tour to South Africa and the Bledisloe Cup series, it appeared Lio-Willie’s international career might be stalled. The tape, however, tells a different story.
That was until the NPC rolled around. Lio-Willie seized the opportunity, not just to play, but to establish himself as one of the competition’s most powerful forwards. For a resurgent Otago outfit, he was a constant presence, a marauder with ball in hand whose skillset was perfectly suited to the brand of rugby he craved. The heartening reassurance for Lio-Willie—and a clear signal from Rennie—was that NPC performance was still the currency that mattered, earning him a ticket to Europe and a spot on the bench for the opening Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Skillset Fits All Blacks' Style
Lio-Willie’s return is not an accident; it’s a direct result of a tactical convergence. The 28-year-old, who hasn’t played a Test since coming off the bench against Wales in 2025, believes his skillset is well-suited to the expansive style the All Blacks have reverted to under Rennie. “The way they’ve been playing has been exciting footy, almost similar to how we were playing in Otago during my NPC season – attacking space, ball in hand,” Lio-Willie stated. “Everything is about the basics.”
When asked how Lio-Willie had fit back into the squad, the coach’s reassuring nod of the head said it all. His job has just been to get his head around everything we are doing.
It has been a lot about getting him up to speed.
Christian has had a great season and with Tupou [Vaa’i] starting at No. 6 we are keen to have a couple of loose forwards on the bench who we think can offer impact.
But he has looked really good.
Loose Forward Impact Needed
With the All Blacks likely to face varied defensive structures in Europe, having Christian Lio-Willie on the bench as a loose forward is an advantage. Lio-Willie’s stated intent—”just playing my game, being myself, the physicality and finishing”—aligns perfectly with the need for impact off the bench. The test at Murrayfield is his proving ground, but the true measure of his value will be his ability to translate NPC form into Test-level impact.
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