Predicting the All Blacks' 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup

Ahead of the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad announcement, we have a go at predicting the 33 players that Ian Foster will name.

The three-time champions head into the tournament as one of the favourites after an upswing in form following a few wobbles in 2022.

Changes in the coaching box led to a change in results, and New Zealand looks like a powerhouse side once again as the Rugby World Cup approaches.

Here is the squad that we predict will represent New Zealand in France.

Front-rowers

The three hookers the All Blacks will go with look to be set with Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Dane Coles, the only three players filling the role during the Rugby Championship.

Loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and tighthead Tyrel Lomax have been catalysts in the All Blacks’ improved form and are nailed-on selections.

There is still doubt over whether Joe Moody will be fit in time for the tournament so in the meantime, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Tamaiti Williams look the other two loosehead props. If Moody is fit in time for the tournament, he will likely take Tu’ungafasi’s spot.

On the other side of the scrum, Nepo Laulala and Fletcher Newell look to have secured their places.

Locks

Like the three hookers, three locks have secured their spots.

The trio of Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett are all world-class in their own right and will dominate the minutes in the big matches.

The question then is whether the All Blacks pick a fourth lock or stick with the three with a back-rower able to slot in there.

We predict that the All Blacks will take a fourth lock, and while Patrick Tuipulotu would be a good choice despite his run of injuries, we believe the fourth lock spot will go to either Josh Lord or Tupou Vaa’i.

The latter has had more time in the All Blacks squad and has impressed several times off the bench, giving him the edge. Vaa’i’s familiarity with his clubmate and lock partner Retallick and hooker Taukei’aho also gives him an added advantage.

Loose forwards

After missing the Rugby Championship through injury, there were hopes that Ethan Blackadder would recover in time to get back to full fitness and claim a spot in the final 33.

However, he sustained another injury on his return from being sidelined with Canterbury and will miss the tournament.

While his unavailability is a blow for the All Blacks, it does make the selection process simpler.

Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell are set to be starters at the World Cup and some of the first names on Foster’s squad list.

They are likely to be followed by Dalton Papali’i, with the loose forwards rounded out by Luke Jacobson and probably Samipeni Finau.

One selection that could change that is if Scott Barrett is to fill in at blindside and provide another option at lock that Lord or Tuipulotu could take.

Scrum-halves

Only three scrum-halves featured for the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship, and they are likely to be the trio that are picked for the World Cup.

Aaron Smith is a no-brainer with Finlay Christie and Cam Roigard as back-ups to the veteran nine.

Brad Weber and Folau Fakatava are set to miss out while there is a highly unlikely chance that Foster turns to TJ Perenara despite him suffering with injuries throughout the year.

Fly-halves

Again these three pick themselves, and two offer utility in their ability to play full-back.

Richie Mo’unga is currently the first-choice number 10, with Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie as back-ups to the position.

Barrett is likely to play full-back for New Zealand throughout the tournament, with his axis with Mo’unga now firing on all cylinders.

Outside of the squad, Ruben Love is highly rated and tipped to feature in black in the years to come, but he too was injured for most of the year, while Josh Ioane and Stephen Perofeta have fallen out of favour with the coaching staff.

Centres

Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane have seemingly locked onto the starting roles for the All Blacks, while Anton Lienert-Brown can still stake his claim in the starting berth.

The trio are straightforward picks for the coaches, while there’s still options for the fourth spot.

Jack Goodhue has fallen down the pecking order but would not disappoint if given the opportunity.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s code hope to union did not go as planned, so he is out of the selection frame.

Braydon Ennor looks set to take the last centre spot with his ability to play wing playing in his favour as well.

Dallas McLeod’s versatility makes for an interesting debate, as he can play multiple positions, but whether the All Blacks need that or not is another question only the coaches can answer.

Outside backs

Usually one of the most hotly contested positions in the All Blacks squad and this year is no different.

There are easy picks in Will Jordan and Mark Telea, who were both sublime in the Rugby Championship.

However, the selection battle heats up outside the pair.

Caleb Clarke is favoured by the selectors, and despite the form of Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson, he is likely to go to Japan.

That leaves one last spot, and we think it will go to the Crusaders’ try-scoring machine Leicester Fainga’anuku.

The Crusaders flyer has a bit more to his game compared to the likes of Narawa and Stevenson, and although he is an out-and-out winger, his point of difference at the breakdown and explosiveness gives him the edge.

As mentioned above, Beauden and Jordie Barrett, and McKenzie can play full-back and will likely do so during the tournament while Jordan is also an excellent option in the position.

Predicted All Blacks squad for the Rugby World Cup

Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Dane Coles
Locks: Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i
Loose forwards: Shannon Frizell, Samipeni Finau, Dalton Papali’I, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea
Scrum-halves: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard
Fly-halves: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie
Centres: Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Braydon Ennor
Outside backs: Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku