Players consistently emerge from the New Zealand system and take the world scene by storm.
Wallace Sititi was unknown a year ago at this time. Although the Chiefs had acquired the explosive No. 8 from the Blues, he had not yet played in Super Rugby Pacific.
With All Blacks Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson starting, Sititi didn’t get a start in the Chiefs’ packed back row until halfway through the 2024 campaign.
In just eight months, Sititi’s life as a rugby player has undergone a permanent transformation. The 22-year-old won World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year title and was the All Blacks’ top forward this season.
With Shannon Frizell leaving, the blindside flanker position was one of the All Blacks’ greatest positional concerns at the start of Scott Robertson’s tenure.
After Jerome Kaino, it appeared that New Zealand was unable to find a No. 6 until Frizell improved his game in 2022 and was appointed.
Less than a year after his departure, a dynamic ball-carrying force who has been hailed as a long-term All Blacks captain has taken his place. Sititi may be a long-term No. 8, but the system gave a surprising response.
After the all-time great Aaron Smith left for Toyota, halfback became an even more urgent requirement. The youthful duo of Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard revitalised the position after it began the season with TJ Perenara and Finlay Christie.
By the end of 2024, the halfback position is far more assured than it was at the beginning. Ratima is a powerful No. 9 with a clean pass, and Roigard’s running style adds something unique. As 2027 approaches, they are unquestionably the way of the future.
Following the retirement of the iconic duo of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock from international competition, the locks were yet another crucial area that need attention this year.
The solutions were already in place; Patrick Tuipulotu was anticipated to play a larger part on the squad, while Scott Barrett was already a consistent starter in the second row with both of the aforementioned greats.
Tupou Vaa’i, who was outstanding during the middle of the year, was the player who stood out the most in the position group. Operating at around 90%, he called the All Blacks lineout plays and had a well-rounded defensive game that allowed him to go over the ball at rucks and defend well up close.
Assistant coach Jason Ryan was ready to declare that he was among the greatest in the world following the Springboks series. Sam Darry, who made his debut this year, and Josh Lord aren’t at that level yet, but they will provide depth as time goes on.
Similar to Richie Mo’unga, Frizell didn’t require the All Blacks to break the rules. The All Blacks are not even in need of the position.
Beauden Barrett, the third-most-capped All Black in history, has a contract that expires in 2027. He was in vintage form when he started at number 10 in the latter part of the season.
He looked good and added another dimension with his attacking kicking style against the Wallabies in Wellington at his favourite Cake Tin. Against Italy, who are no longer doormats, he had his best performance. Barrett scored a try and assisted on two others.
This two-time World Rugby Player of the Year is still capable of playing at a top-tier level.
Damian McKenzie, who was included on this season’s World Rugby dream 15, is the other No. 10. This season in Test rugby, no 10 on the planet has produced more attacking play.
In their July match against England, he was the All Blacks’ lone bright spot, playing flawless rugby and setting up New Zealand’s sole line breaks and try-scoring opportunities.
McKenzie has 60 line break assists in 2024, more than any other player for club and nation (Opta).
Despite two late misses against the Springboks in Cape Town, his goal-kicking has helped the All Blacks win several Test matches this season. the Sydney Test against the Wallabies, the England Test at Twickenham, and the inaugural England Test in Dunedin. Against Ireland, he was the player of the match.
With two of the greatest in the world, the position is stronger than it has ever been. Mo’unga is not worth lusting over.
The perception of Mo’unga’s career as an international flyhalf appears to be rosy. Before Joe Schmidt joined as an assistant coach, this player battled for years to be reliable. He struggled against the larger teams and carved up the lightweights of Test rugby until Schmidt arrived.
Mo’unga became a successful international player in 2023 after his best performances in the black jersey occurred in the latter part of 2022. After losing in the World Cup final, Mo’unga made the decision to start a new chapter in his life. Great if he wants to return, but with two world-class 10s available, the All Blacks won’t need him next year or the year following.
Five of the eight winners of the Breakthrough Player award since its inception in 2015 have come from New Zealand. Sititi is the latest All Black to be crowned, joining Nehe Milner-Skudder, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, and Mark Tele’a.
There is no need to alter the eligibility requirements for a single player because the conveyor belt continues to produce some of the greatest talent the game has ever seen.
