Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor is making a strong case for selection in the first All Blacks squad of the year, but for now, he’s focused on letting his on-field performances speak for themselves.
After missing the first eight rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season due to an Achilles injury, Proctor has returned in outstanding form. His comeback has coincided with a major upturn in the Hurricanes’ results—they were 3-5 without him, but since his return, they’ve gone unbeaten with four wins and a draw, propelling them into the playoff picture.
The 26-year-old recently extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, a clear indication of his ambition to add to his two test caps earned last year against Fiji and Japan. His impressive performances have given All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson plenty to consider ahead of his first 35-man squad announcement on June 23—especially the battle for the No.13 jersey against current starter Rieko Ioane.
Despite his international aspirations, Proctor says his current focus is entirely on helping the Hurricanes succeed in the playoffs.
“I haven’t really thought about that too much,” Proctor said. “Right now, I just want to give everything for this team. That’s what I can control, and that’s all I’m focused on. Everything else is for others to decide.”
Proctor admitted that the taste of test rugby last year left him wanting more.
“Being in that environment and representing New Zealand was special. I definitely want to be there again and play international rugby. But for now, my attention is on what’s in front of me.”
Reflecting on his brief All Blacks experience, Proctor said the biggest takeaway was the importance of precision at the highest level.
“There aren’t many chances at the international level. You’ve got to take advantage of the small windows and execute under pressure.”
The Hurricanes are now assured of a place in the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, and a win over Moana Pasifika this Saturday would lock in a fourth-place finish. Moana Pasifika, who handed the Hurricanes a 40-31 defeat earlier in the season, must win to qualify for the playoffs for the first time.
Although he missed the earlier part of the season, Proctor says the squad never lost faith.
“We weren’t worried,” he said. “We were close in a lot of games. We just needed to fine-tune a few things, and over the last few weeks, we’ve done that. The belief within the team never wavered—we always felt we had what it takes to be one of the top sides.”
Finishing fourth is particularly valuable due to the revamped playoff format. Under the new system, the top six teams face off in 1 v 6, 2 v 5, and 3 v 4 matchups, with the three winners and the best-performing loser moving on to the semifinals.
