Following the conclusion of their 2024 Autumn Nations Series, we update you on the state of the participating nations. First up, it’s Scott Robertson’s All Blacks.
Autumn Nations Series summary
Standout players
After an impressive Rugby Championship, Wallace Sititi continued his fine form in the Autumn Nations Series and particularly shone against England. The back-rower also had a stint at number eight, his favourite position, when he started in that slot against France and it could provide a hint at what’s to come in 2025.
Ardie Savea remains Robertson’s favoured option at the base of the scrum and he once again showed his world-class credentials on this tour but, after a brief switch to openside following their injury crisis, that could be his permanent home during next year’s Test campaign.
Elsewhere in the pack, the scrum was a constant source of front foot ball for the All Blacks where Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax dominated the set-piece. They were ably supported by replacements Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi, leaving the head coach with a plethora of quality props to choose from in 2025.
Behind the scrum, they were slightly less impressive, but Will Jordan was pretty much faultless at full-back. Despite Mark Tele’a’s two-try showing against England, over the course of the tour, Caleb Clarke was very much the best of the wings and completed his transition into a Test quality wing.
However, the player that finishes November with his reputation significantly enhanced is Cam Roigard after he became the first-choice scrum-half. Having missed the July series and Rugby Championship following a horrific injury, Roigard showed his class, initially as a replacement before taking over from the struggling Cortez Ratima later in the tour.
Success story
Main regret
