The All Blacks have a strong cohort of loosehead props to choose from. Dave Rennie has a combination of youth, experience and different profiles to choose from across the four Super Rugby franchises.
2026 All Black–Eligible Loosehead Props
| Player | Age | 2026 Super Rugby Franchise | All Blacks Caps | 2026 SR Games Played | Current Status & Notes |
| Ethan de Groot | 28 | Highlanders | 31 | 12 | First-choice starter. Premier set-piece anchor for both Highlanders and All Blacks. |
| Tamaiti Williams | 25 | Crusaders | 19 | 13 | Core Squad. Exceptional mobility and dynamic carrying; versatile across both sides of the scrum. |
| Ofa Tu’ungafasi | 34 | Blues | 63 | 14 | Veteran Option. Highly experienced front-rower capable of playing elite minutes at loosehead or tighthead. |
| George Bower | 34 | Crusaders | 22 | 11 | Experienced Backup. Solid scrummaging specialist in the Crusaders’ rotation. |
| Xavier Numia | 27 | Hurricanes | 2 | 14 | Top Backup Candidate. Outstanding ball-in-hand season for the Canes; consistently pushes for Test selection via Nations Championship. |
| Aidan Ross | 30 | Chiefs | 1 | 13 | Capped Candidate. Workhorse for the Chiefs set-piece; earned his lone Test cap in 2022. |
| Ollie Norris | 26 | Chiefs | 0 | 11 | Depth Option. Dynamic around the park in the Chiefs’ front-row rotation. |
| Ayden Johnstone | 29 | Highlanders | 0 | 10 | Depth Option. Experienced co-captain figure for Otago/Highlanders when healthy. |
1 Ethan De Groot
Ethan de Groot has cemented his status as one of world rugby’s premier loosehead props through elite scrummaging technique, raw power, and an unrelenting work rate. Tipping the scales at over 135 kg, he provides an uncompromising set-piece anchor capable of neutralising top-tier tightheads on the international stage.
What makes him the All Blacks’ go-to starting loosehead is his mobility and round-the-field output—frequently delivering double-digit tackle counts, explosive short-range carries, and an expanding skill set. His balance of set-piece dominance and modern athleticism gives New Zealand a rock-solid front-row foundation.
2 Xavier Numia
Xavier Numia’s ascent to the All Blacks’ second-choice loosehead prop during the Rugby Nations Championship marks a well-earned milestone in his career. A driving force behind the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Pacific triumph, Numia carried his standout domestic form directly into the Test arena, proving he belongs at the highest level.
Stepping onto the international stage, Numia offers Dave Rennie a formidable option off the bench to impact matches late in the second half. Converted to the front row from the midfield earlier in his career, his unique background shines through in his modern dynamic play style. Weighing 111 kg, Numia combines solid set-piece fundamentals with dynamic ball-carrying in tight quarters, effective clearing at the breakdown, and relentless defensive work.
In the intense environment of the Nations Championship, the drop-off between starters and finishers can define Test matches. Numia’s rapid adaptation to high-stakes international scrummaging ensures the All Blacks maintain momentum and set-piece stability when Ethan de Groot leaves the field. His reliable presence gives New Zealand vital front-row depth and guarantees a high-energy impact in the closing quarters.
3 Tamaiti Williams
Tamaiti Williams currently sits behind Ethan de Groot and Xavier Numia in the All Blacks loosehead pecking order largely due to the specific, proven strengths his rivals bring to the test arena. De Groot remains New Zealand’s primary choice at loosehead because of his elite set-piece reliability, technical scrummaging, and bruising physical defence. Meanwhile, Xavier Numia has surged up the ranks thanks to his exceptional mobility, dynamic open-field carrying, and outstanding form in Super Rugby. While Williams’s absolute set-piece consistency is still refining compared to De Groot’s disciplined anchor, his overall value to the squad remains immense. Standing at 1.96m and weighing over 140kg, Williams offers a rare combination of a massive frame, soft hands, and explosive athleticism. Crucially, his rare ability to play both loosehead and tighthead prop provides national coaches with unmatched matchday flexibility. As an explosive impact substitute, he can dismantle tiring defences, making him an irreplaceable weapon for New Zealand.
