Front Row
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Zane Nonggorr
The Wallabies would not want to risk an injury to the likes of Allan Alaalatoa or co-captain James Slipper, as they will take vital roles throughout the three test matches. However, Australia will want to through their wait at the tourists up front, with up and coming tight-head Zane Nonggorr being the ideal selection to weaken down the likes of Ellis Genge before the test matches.
The All Blacks would gift the other two front rowers, with Tongan-born Samisoni Taukei’aho a powerhouse option at hooker. The Chiefs man would thrive in the unpredictable environment, and would have more gas in the tank to burn than Dane Coles and Codie Taylor, who come 2025 will be 34 and 38 respectively.
Fiery All Blacks loosehead Ethan De Groot gets the nod to seal off the front row, as he progresses from strength to strength with the Highlanders, and will soon nail his name to the All Blacks number one jersey.
Locks
4. Josh Lord
5. Tom Hooper
From a Wallabies standpoint, Nick Frost will be 25 by the time the Lions come to town and if he continues on this upward trajectory, would have established himself in the row. Will Skelton will likely join him in packing down the test-match scrum, following recent selection trends from Eddie Jones.
This sees Tom Hooper selected for the Australia-New Zealand squad, as the young Brumby builds his international reputation in the famous gold and green. From an All Blacks perspective, legendary lock duo Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are moving on from Super Rugby, as Whitelock signs with Pau and Rettallick settles in with the Kobelco Steelers.
Scott Barrett will be 31-years-old in 2025 and has not yet left Super Rugby, so a lucrative offer could likely attract the Crusaders captain to Japan to re-unite with his brother Beauden. From New Zealand, we’ve selected Josh Lord to pack down the row with Hooper. The 22-year-old made his All Blacks debut last Autumn, and if he can avoid additional injury setbacks, will thrive for the Chiefs once more.