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.

After an underwhelming Rugby Championship, New Zealand had plenty of work to do during their year-end tour, but they finished 2024 positively.

Robertson was a man under pressure from the supporters, who expect dominance from the All Blacks, but he appeared to find the formula for success heading into what could be a huge 2025.

Autumn Nations Series summary

While not technically part of the series, the All Blacks began their northern hemisphere tour in Japan, where Robertson used the game to rotate his squad and hand a chance to some of his fringe players. By this point, Damian McKenzie was the second-choice fly-half, but he failed to take his opportunity despite a 64-19 thrashing of the Brave Blossoms.

It meant that come New Zealand’s first significant Test – against England at Twickenham – McKenzie was demoted to the bench as Beauden Barrett started in the 10 jersey. It proved to be the right call with Barrett linking play nicely in the first half, allowing the tourists to go 14-12 ahead at the break. Although the hosts controlled the third quarter, moving 22-14 in front, McKenzie then made an impact off the bench, coming on for the injured Barrett and scoring five points, including magnificently converting Mark Tele’a’s try to snatch a 24-22 win.

Of course, had George Ford taken one of his two three-point opportunities then the story would have been very different, but they went to Dublin with confidence. The All Blacks were without Barrett due to a head injury but any concerns about McKenzie starting were allayed as he produced a man-of-the-match performance in a 23-13 success. In fact, the playmaker guided the team to arguably their best display under Robertson as they downed the then-number-one side in the world.

That was their second successive victory on a run of three incredibly difficult games, leaving just France to play. The first half was very impressive from the visitors but they were unable to keep their foot on the throat as Les Bleus hit back to leave the All Blacks agonisingly short, going down 30-29. Continuing the playmaking theme, McKenzie once again came on to make an impact, kicking four penalties, but it was not enough to claim the win.

That reversal perhaps had an adverse effect the following week as New Zealand produced their worst performance of the tour. Against an Italy side that gave as good as they got, the All Blacks struggled to find their rhythm and could only muster a 29-11 triumph. Robertson’s men looked lethargic, possibly tired after a long and stressful season, but they got the job done to secure a 10-4 win-loss under their new head coach.

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

There is no doubt that the Rugby Championship was a concern but, on the basis of the Autumn Nations Series, the All Blacks are certainly trending upwards. After three losses in that competition, two of them away to the Springboks, there was a worry that more tough games against top rivals would yield defeats, but they ended the tour in credit.

New Zealand’s foundations were solid while they also showed an ability to adapt, suggesting that the coaches’ messages are getting through to the players. That was especially evident in the win against Ireland, which had the hallmarks of some of the great All Blacks teams as they wore the hosts down before pouncing in the final quarter.

As a result, there is a sense that Robertson is beginning to find more answers to the questions which have plagued him in 2024, certainly in the playmaking positions. Although the attack is not quite firing just yet, there was an improvement in that area, particularly in the first half against France where Roigard and Beauden Barrett linked superbly.

With McKenzie also showing an ability to control a game at the highest level with his performance in Dublin, the head coach now has options he can seemingly rely on at fly-half, which was a very different story from a few weeks ago.

Main regret

They will stew over the France result in the off-season, and particularly the latter stages of that contest. The All Blacks were 30-26 behind but had a penalty a few metres out from the try line. Les Bleus were under pressure but captain Scott Barrett opted for the posts to reduce the arrears to one point. New Zealand still had plenty of time – seven minutes to be precise – to get the winning points but they ultimately fell short.

Was it the correct decision? The scoreboard evidently suggests not but it was a very difficult call as there was, of course, no guarantee that they would score the try. However, the French were feeling the pressure, conceding penalties and that was the time for the All Blacks to strike. Barrett did not have the 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er instinct on that occasion, and it will hurt for the next couple of months, but it was a useful learning experience for the new skipper.

Results

New Zealand v Japan (New Zealand won 64-19)

New Zealand v England (New Zealand won 24-22)

New Zealand v Ireland (New Zealand won 23-13)

New Zealand v France (France won 30-29)

New Zealand v Italy (New Zealand won 29-11)