All Blacks vs Scotland: Winners and Losers from Dave Rennie's Team Selection

Head coach Dave Rennie has named a conservative All Blacks team for their Nations Championship clash against Scotland on Saturday, prioritizing stability after a Bledisloe Cup series win. The selections feature few changes, with the most notable surprise being the inclusion of Christian Lio-Willie, who was not part of the wider training group but has been selected on the bench.

The team features a familiar starting fifteen, with Beauden Barrett continuing his renaissance at 15 and alongside Richie Mo’unga at 10, while Timoci Tavatavanawai keeps his place at outside centre. Rennie has stuck with Fabian Holland in the second-row and Josh Moorby on the wing, rewarding their recent performances. The back-up scrum-half role goes to Cortez Ratima, while Xavier Numia has been dropped following Ethan de Groot’s return.

Winners from the Selection

Fabian Holland retains his place in the engine room, while Christian Lio-Willie was a surprise inclusion on the bench.

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Fabian Holland has retained his spot in the second-row, having impressed against Australia. He has already made a huge impression at Test level, winning the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2025, but anticipation is building for him to elevate his game, and that opportunity may arise during the November Tests. The big lock impressed against the Wallabies in Sydney and continues alongside Scott Barrett in the engine room.
Christian Lio-Willie was the biggest surprise in the 23. However, with Tupou Vaa’i at blindside, that allows the All Blacks to select another loose forward on the bench and Lio-Willie has got in ahead of Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Jamie Hannah.
Cortez Ratima has been confirmed as the back-up scrum-half to Cam Roigard, despite Rennie ideally wanting a player closer to the starter’s standard. However, it will be a concern if the starting scrum-half’s form drops.
Beauden Barrett continues his renaissance, which has allowed Rennie to maintain a dual playmaker axis. This also creates a challenging situation for Richie Mo’unga and Ruben Love, given the effective partnership between Damian McKenzie and Barrett in recent matches. This also creates a challenging situation for Richie Mo’unga and Ruben Love, given the effective partnership between Damian McKenzie and Barrett in recent matches.
Timoci Tavatavanawai keeps his place at outside centre. Fans have wanted to see more of the powerhouse centre and they have got their wish with Tavatavanawai keeping his place in the 23.
Josh Moorby retains his spot on the wing. After a difficult series against the Springboks, Moorby’s kick receipt was much better against the Wallabies.

Losers and Question Marks

Wallace Sititi, despite starting, has not yet fully convinced the coach. He has been taken off just after the 50-minute mark of both Bledisloe Cup encounters, despite producing some outstanding moments.
Xavier Numia has been dropped to third choice prop. In fairness, George Bower has not let the All Blacks down this year but Xavier Numia seems to be very much seen as the third choice at the moment.
Ethan Blackadder and Leicester Fainga’anuku missed out on a place on the bench, which went to Lio-Willie instead.