The candidates for the All Black wing positions. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: ActionPress
Analysis - How did it get to this? The All Blacks head into a Rugby Championship without a clear picture of who the wingers will be, with a large group vying for the most open situation in years. Right now you can make a decent case for any combination of the following players ending up out wide in the starting wing positions, with three different combos used in as many tests already this season.
Here's who will feature out wide for the All Blacks:
Sevu Reece
Sevu Reece of New Zealand celebrates a try 1`before the Bledisloe Cup - New Zealand All Blacks v Australia Wallabies at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 28 September 2024. Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa / www.photosport.nz Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Many wrote Reece off after an underwhelming end to last season, but the faith has been kept in his ability to be a menace around the ruck and centralise play. It feels like Reece's future will come down to how effective that tactic remains to be, because he's certainly not as fast as he once was.
Leroy Carter
The Chiefs' Leroy Carter scores against the Crusaders at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, on Saturday 10 May, 2025. Photo: Martin Hunter/ ActionPress
The youngest prospect in the team offers the rawest pace, with many believing the former Sevens rep to be the fastest player in the country. He can also cover centre and halfback, but will his time come this season? There aren't too many opportunities to blood new players, however it may not even matter if the demand for an out and out strike weapon becomes higher.
Will Jordan
Wil Jordan. Photo: ActionPress
The most in form winger is actually a fullback, with Jordan on track to break the all-time All Black try scoring record sometime this season and almost certainly going to wear the 15 jersey as long as he's fit. Jordan has already started a test on the right wing due to injury anyway, so perhaps him starting at the back and then moving outwards at the back end of games with Damian McKenzie or Ruben Love coming on will be a strategy.
Emoni Narawa
Emoni Narawa. Photo: Photosport
The unluckiest player in the squad, Narawa hasn't really had the chances he deserves other than a very productive showing against France in Wellington. Narawa probably provides the most like for like replacement for Reece in terms of ability around the ruck.
Caleb Clarke
Caleb Clarke of New Zealand. New Zealand All Blacks v Australia Wallabies, Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship rugby union test match at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 28 September 2024. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Currently out after busting his ankle in training, Clarke's physicality has been missed but his less than stellar return with the Blues this season should be taken into account. He hasn't scored any tries in 2025 and while the Blues' poor form and gameplan are a lot to answer for that, that same situation didn't stop Reece bagging 12 last year for the Crusaders. The fact that Clarke was not selected for the only test he's been available for is somewhat telling.
Ruben Love
Ruben Love Photo: Christopher Jue/ActionPress
Almost certainly an option that will only get used if there are a run of injuries, Love is presumably capable on the wing though. Like Carter, his utility value is the most useful asset he can bring - if nothing else, having an extra goal kicker in the squad may see Love end up on the wing at some point.
Rieko Ioane
Rieko Ioane celebrates a try with Jordie Barrett. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Just where Ioane will go if/when Clarke is fit will be interesting. He can certainly be proud of his efforts so far this season, where his move back to the wing for the first time in four years showed that he possessed plenty of defensive experience that helped contain a dangerous French back three. Is Ioane a midfielder now first and foremost though?
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
The big man's role had been clearly signposted as a second five eighth so far, but it is worth remembering Tavatavanawai has spent most of his time in Super Rugby Pacific as a winger. That therefore makes him an option, but like Love it feels like it'd be as a solution rather than any sort of inspired selection.
