Former Manu Samoa No 10 and freelance rugby scribe Campbell Burnes argues that the depth at No 8 in New Zealand rugby is now greater than ever.
Not so long ago, upon the retirement of Kieran Read it may have been, there was little depth at No 8 in New Zealand rugby.
That was part of the reason why Ardie Savea slotted in there. He did an impressive job, but there was always this nagging feeling that openside flanker was his best position, where he operates now for the All Blacks.
But now we have enviable depth at No 8, and we are not talking about just All Blacks quality depth. Take the No 8s on show during the 2025 NPC, for example. Just about every team seemed to
have a powerful, ball-carrying, ball-winning dynamo at the back
of the scrum.
Dom Gardiner of Canterbury is a big slab of a man, perhaps best suited to lock or No 8, but he subbed in for the injured Cullen Grace and did the job for his team in an ideal fit.
Christian Lio-Willie, prematurely jettisoned by the All Blacks after July, was consistency personified for a gutsy, committed Otago team.
Nikora Broughton of Bay of Plenty was a strong carrier and ball-winner who should again be good for the Highlanders this season.
Devan Flanders does his best work in Super Rugby at No 6, but he was superb for Hawke’s Bay, probably the pick of all the No 8s in the NPC with his X-factor and hard-nosed rugby.
Fletcher Anderson of Tasman has flown the coop to Scarlets, but he was tremendous value for the Tasman Mako, probably their most consistent forward with his relentless work-rate and hard carries.
Hoskins Sotutu of Counties Manukau may be down the All Blacks pecking order now, but he still turns it on for the Steelers with his unique skills and lineout prowess. Dalton Papali’i subbed in to good effect later in the NPC when Sotutu underwent surgery.
Taranaki’s industrious Kaylum Boshier was the Bulls’ player of the year and is always a standout at this level.
Northland’s Terrell Peita is best known as a blindside/lock, but he had a marvellous season for the Taniwha at No 8 after Simon Parker had been promoted to the All Blacks.
Backing up his Super Rugby heroics with Moana Pasifika, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa was again hard to contain for the Southland Stags.
Brayden Iose was a part of a strong loose trio at the Manawatu Turbos, and was always dangerous with his ability on the break and his sheer speed.
Jed Melvin was player of the year and scooped several of his North Harbour union’s awards, operating between No 8 and No 7, for the cellar dweller of the NPC.
Dominic Ropeti played in several positions for the yoyo Wellington Lions, but always added value and impact, especially at the back of the scrum.
Combine that lot of prime performers at No 8 with All Blacks like Savea, Parker, Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai, and you can see that there are now options galore. Some of them will stand out in Super
Rugby, but the cupboard is no longer bare, and that will warm the cockles of Jason Ryan’s heart, let alone that of Scott Robertson.