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Find your Sport Nation frequencyHow injuries to big names could reshape the All Blacks' 2027 World Cup squad
Sport Nation • November 5th, 2026 5:51 pm
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea | Photo: AP
Injuries are creating opportunities for players to push their portfolio for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with former All Black Jeff Wilson believing the setbacks could ultimately benefit New Zealand's squad depth.
With several players key sidelined, the end-of-year tour has given others the chance to step into new roles and put themselves firmly in the selection conversation.
“I get the sense that everyone is concerned about the injuries. I think in some ways the injuries have allowed us to widen our squad,” he told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy.
“I think there's a number of positions that guys are going to get their chance.”
Wallace Sititi celebrates scoring his try against Australia | Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Wallace Sititi is one player who has benefited, stepping into the No. 8 eight jersey following Ardie Savea's absence.
“I think he's a guy who hadn't found his place earlier in the year and there's a lot of competition in the loose forward department, but he for me, through injuries got his opportunity and then looked really sharp.
“If he happens to have a really good, strong month and stay healthy, keep doing those impactful things, he's going to go a long way to securing his role going forward.”
The absence of Tyrel Lomax has also created an opening for Saula Ma'u, while George Bell is another player looking to make an impression.
“Saula Ma'u might be one who's just sitting on the fringes there with no Tyrel Lomax not touring.
Saula Ma'u | Photo: Shaun Roy/Photosport
“If he gets his chance maybe to impress off the bench or start against Wales somewhere in there, he's a guy that you'd love to see build on that brief time he was with the All Blacks in South Africa.
“George Bell has obviously joined the fray, did some great things for Canterbury. He's got a massive future this young man.”
Wilson says the injuries have also increased competition across the squad, with the battle for the first five-eighth and fullback jerseys another area to watch.
The form of Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett puts them on a pedestal, while injured Ruben Love and Richie Mo'unga also remain part of the wider selection picture.
Beauden Barrett makes another statement with vintage display in Bledisloe II | The Rugby Run
Wilson believes Barrett's performances against different opposition could further complicate the selection process.
“As much as he was great against Australia, and he was, this is a different challenge, it was a different type of game that the northern hemisphere presents.
"If he continues his good form, I think it'll be him who might give the selectors headaches.
“I think this is a really intriguing next couple of weeks around that No. 10, No. 15 conversation, and we haven't even mentioned Josh Jacomb.”
With opportunities potentially limited, Wilson says those who get their chance must prove they can perform at Test level when called upon.
“There are a lot of guys who maybe only get one opportunity in this tour and that might be against Wales and what they need to do is continue to show that they can be game and Test ready when you're not playing a lot of rugby.”
Listen to the full interview below:
