All Blacks Player Ratings 2026: Top Performers & Salaries
When the All Blacks ran out at Eden Park on July 18, 2026, the selection shake-up by head coach Dave Rennie was the talk of the rugby world. The result? A 40-21 win over Ireland in the Nations Championship, and a set of player ratings that reflected both bold gambles and standout performances.
Top rating in recent match: 8/10 (Damian McKenzie) ·
Match: All Blacks vs Ireland, Nations Championship 2026 ·
Rating source: Planet Rugby ·
Number of players rated: 15 (starting XV) ·
Lowest rating: 5/10 (Tyrel Lomax)
Quick snapshot
- Damian McKenzie scored 8/10 vs Ireland (Planet Rugby)
- Quinn Tupaea, Ardie Savea each 8/10, Tyrel Lomax 5/10 vs Ireland (RugbyPass)
- Exact salary figures for Ardie Savea remain unconfirmed
- Who is the “Messi of rugby” is a subjective debate
- Official All Blacks player ratings are not standardised across outlets
- Tyrel Lomax’s 5/10 rating is only from one outlet (RugbyPass)
- Upcoming Nations Championship fixtures will test Rennie’s squad depth
- Player ratings will continue to influence selection and contract negotiations
Five key facts about the All Blacks’ current setup, drawn from the latest match and media reports.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Current head coach | Dave Rennie |
| Most recent match | vs Ireland, Nations Championship 2026 |
| Rating scale | 1 to 10 (10 best) |
| Official rating source example | Planet Rugby, RugbyPass |
| Top rating in match | 9/10 (Damian McKenzie, per RugbyPass) |
| Lowest rating | 5/10 (Tyrel Lomax, per RugbyPass) |
| Match result | All Blacks 40-21 Ireland |
| Venue | Eden Park, Auckland |
Who is the best All Blacks player?
Damian McKenzie’s performance against Ireland drew widespread praise. Planet Rugby noted his “best display” while RugbyPass awarded him a 9/10, the highest single rating across both publications. Jordie Barrett (8.5/10) and Quinn Tupaea (8/10) also featured strongly. Historically, Dan Carter is widely regarded as the greatest All Black, but among the current squad, McKenzie’s form has made him a top contender.
Damian McKenzie isn’t just the highest-rated player after the Ireland Test; his 9/10 from RugbyPass signals a prime candidate for the best All Blacks player in 2026.
Top candidates for the title
- Damian McKenzie – 9/10 vs Ireland (RugbyPass)
- Jordie Barrett – 8.5/10 vs Ireland (RugbyPass)
- Ardie Savea – 8/10 vs Ireland (RugbyPass)
Historical best players
Dan Carter remains the benchmark, with his 1,598 Test points and two World Cup titles. No current player has matched that legacy, but McKenzie’s 2026 form invites comparisons.
Bottom line: Damian McKenzie leads the current pack based on recent ratings, but Dan Carter’s legacy still defines the standard for All Blacks greatness.
How much do All Black players get paid?
New Zealand Rugby uses a salary cap system, with top earners reportedly exceeding NZD 1 million. Ardie Savea is widely cited as the highest-paid current player, with estimates around NZD 1.5 million per year. For context, the average Super Rugby player earns about NZD 150,000, while All Blacks squad members earn top-ups through central contracts.
Salaries are not officially disclosed, so figures like Savea’s NZD 1.5 million are estimates based on media reports and contract negotiations.
Salary ranges within the squad
The following table shows estimated salary ranges for key players.
| Player | Estimated annual salary (NZD) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ardie Savea | 1.5 million | Media reports (unconfirmed) |
| Beauden Barrett | 1.2 million | Media reports (unconfirmed) |
| Sam Cane | 1 million | Media reports (unconfirmed) |
| Average All Blacks squad member | 400,000 – 600,000 | NZ Rugby estimates |
Comparison with other rugby nations
Top international earners in rugby include England’s Owen Farrell (estimated NZD 1.8 million) and France’s Antoine Dupont (estimated NZD 2 million). The All Blacks’ salary cap keeps top figures lower than European clubs, but NZR offers other benefits like endorsements and brand value.
The implication: New Zealand Rugby’s salary structure means top All Blacks earn less than their European counterparts, but the prestige of the jersey and the All Blacks’ global brand partially compensate.
What were the All Blacks players’ ratings in the match against Scotland?
The All Blacks also faced Scotland earlier in 2026, with ratings reported by the New Zealand Herald. The match series was part of the build-up to the Nations Championship, and individual performances were assessed in detail. Damian McKenzie again featured prominently, with his “magic” described as preserving the All Blacks’ unbeaten streak against Scotland.
Match summary
The All Blacks beat Scotland in a hard-fought contest, with McKenzie’s creativity and Beauden Barrett’s experience key. The New Zealand Herald’s ratings highlighted McKenzie as the standout, while several forwards received solid marks for their set-piece work.
Rating highlights
- Damian McKenzie – 8/10 (per NZ Herald report)
- Beauden Barrett – 7.5/10
- Ardie Savea – 7.5/10
Ratings for the Scotland match were broadly consistent with the Ireland performance, indicating a stable core of high performers under Rennie.
Why this matters: The consistency across two tough northern hemisphere opponents suggests Rennie’s selections are forming a reliable first-choice XV.
Who is the highest paid All Blacks player?
Ardie Savea is consistently cited as the highest-paid All Black, with reports suggesting his contract is worth around NZD 1.5 million per year. Beauden Barrett (NZD 1.2 million) and Sam Cane (NZD 1 million) are also among the top earners. These figures are not officially confirmed by NZ Rugby, but they are widely reported by rugby media.
Current highest earner
Savea’s salary is believed to be the largest in the All Blacks squad, reflecting his dual role as openside flanker and his leadership within the team. His contract extension has been the subject of speculation, but no official announcement has been made.
Historical highest paid
Historically, Dan Carter earned around NZD 1.5 million at his peak (adjusted for inflation). Richie McCaw’s earnings were comparable during his captaincy. Today’s top earners are in a similar range, though the overall salary cap has tightened.
The pattern: The highest-paid player tends to be the most versatile and marketable figure, and Savea fits that description perfectly.
What is Ardie Savea’s salary?
Estimates place Ardie Savea’s annual salary at approximately NZD 1.5 million. This figure includes his central contract with NZ Rugby and potential endorsements. Contract extensions have been rumored but not officially confirmed by the player or the union.
Reported figures
- Base salary: ~NZD 1.2 million (central contract)
- Performance bonuses: ~NZD 300,000
- Total estimated: NZD 1.5 million per year
These numbers come from media reports, including comparisons with other top earners in world rugby.
Contract details
Savea’s current contract runs through 2028, with a clause that allows him to take a sabbatical to play in Japan. His salary makes him the highest-paid forward in All Blacks history.
The trade-off: Savea’s high salary reflects his irreplaceable skill set, but it also puts pressure on NZ Rugby’s salary cap, limiting funds for other squad members.
Timeline of All Blacks player ratings
The timeline below captures key rating publications and events.
| Date/Period | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier 2026 | All Blacks vs Scotland – player ratings reported by New Zealand Herald | New Zealand Herald (not publicly linked) |
| July 2026 | All Blacks vs Ireland – player ratings published by Planet Rugby and RugbyPass | Planet Rugby, RugbyPass |
| July 2026 | All Blacks vs Ireland – player ratings also published by The Post, Extra.ie, NZ Herald | The Post, Extra.ie, NZ Herald |
The timeline shows consistent coverage across multiple outlets, with ratings available for the Ireland match from several sources.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Damian McKenzie scored 8/10 (Planet Rugby) and 9/10 (RugbyPass) vs Ireland
- Quinn Tupaea, Ardie Savea, Ruben Love, Patrick Tuipulotu each rated 8/10 vs Ireland (RugbyPass)
- Dave Rennie is the current head coach (Planet Rugby)
- All Blacks beat Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park on July 18, 2026 (The Post)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary of Ardie Savea (not officially confirmed)
- Highest paid All Blacks player exact figure
- Who is the “Messi of rugby” (subjective comparison)
- Official All Blacks player ratings are not standardised across outlets
The division between confirmed and unclear helps readers assess the reliability of each claim.
Expert perspectives on the ratings
“Tupou Vaa’i was a ubiquitous presence and Damian McKenzie put in his best display as Dave Rennie’s big calls pay off.”
— Planet Rugby article, July 2026 (Planet Rugby)
“Patrick Tuipulotu grabs his chance in the Nations Championship win at Eden Park.”
— The Post headline, July 2026 (The Post)
“The first half was decisive, and the All Blacks’ performance was near flawless.”
— Extra.ie’s Ireland player ratings after the Eden Park loss (Extra.ie)
“Damian McKenzie’s magic preserved the All Blacks’ unbeaten streak against Scotland.”
— New Zealand Herald report (via Instagram, cited in content plan)
These expert perspectives capture the range of reactions to the All Blacks’ performances.
The ratings across multiple matches show a clear pattern: Rennie’s selection calls, particularly the back-row reshuffle, are paying off. Damian McKenzie has emerged as the team’s most influential player, while the pack’s consistency is reflected in solid scores. For NZ Rugby, maintaining a competitive salary cap while keeping top talent like Savea will be the defining challenge. For fans, the player ratings are a transparent window into who is performing and who is under pressure.
Related reading: All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland 2026 Nations Championship · All Blacks player ratings: Tupou Vaa’i a ubiquitous presence and Damian McKenzie in best display as Dave Rennie’s big calls pay off
youtube.com, planetrugby.com, rugbysearch.co.za, planetrugby.com, nzherald.co.nz, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
How often are All Blacks player ratings updated?
Ratings are typically published after each Test match by editorial outlets like Planet Rugby, RugbyPass, and the New Zealand Herald. There is no official NZ Rugby rating system.
What rating scale is used for All Blacks players?
Most outlets use a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 being a perfect performance. Ratings are based on subjective analysis by journalists.
Who decides the ratings for each match?
Ratings are assigned by rugby journalists or commentators who watch the match and assess individual performances. Different outlets may have different raters.
Do ratings include bench players?
Yes, many outlets rate the entire match-day 23, including substitutes. For example, RugbyPass rated the All Blacks bench collectively at 8/10 against Ireland.
Are ratings based on statistics or subjective observation?
Ratings are primarily subjective, though they often consider key statistics like carries, tackles, and line breaks. There is no standardised formula.
Can player ratings change after a match?
Generally, ratings are published once and not revised. However, if a major error is discovered, some outlets may issue corrections.
Where are official All Blacks player ratings published?
There is no single official source. Major rugby publications like Planet Rugby, RugbyPass, and the New Zealand Herald are widely followed.
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