In a bold move that's stirring up rugby circles, former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall is calling for a reshuffle in the New Zealand midfield, despite Billy Proctor's standout performance against the Springboks. Marshall is advocating for Leicester Fainga’anuku to replace Proctor, aiming to inject more dynamism into the All Blacks' game plan.
Scott Robertson, the All Blacks head coach, has consistently paired Jordie Barrett with Billy Proctor throughout 2025. This duo is also slated to continue their partnership into the next Super Rugby Pacific season with the Hurricanes. This strategic continuity follows a shift that saw Rieko Ioane return to the wing after a four-year tenure at outside centre.
The call for change doesn't stem from Proctor's lack of form. On the contrary, Marshall recognizes Proctor's recent game as his best yet in an All Blacks jersey. "He played his best Test on the weekend, and I don’t think he is playing poorly. But I just don’t feel that we have enough danger out there," Marshall explained, hinting at a tactical pivot rather than a critique of individual performance.
"You and I are going to butt heads on this,"
Marshall’s viewpoint clashes with opinions from other rugby pundits, including ex-Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul, who believes Proctor should remain in his role. The debate underscores a broader discussion about the All Blacks' current tactics and their efficacy against top-tier teams.
Marshall suggests Fainga’anuku, a powerful player known for his stint in France's Top 14 and his current form at NPC with Tasman Mako, could bring a new level of threat to the midfield. He compares Fainga’anuku’s potential impact to that of Andre Esterhuizen of the Springboks, noting, "When the Springboks brought Esterhuizen on, like honestly, I know he is a tank, but what he was doing, wow."
Despite not featuring in the matchday 23 for the recent tests, Marshall is optimistic about Fainga’anuku's inclusion in the upcoming Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup fixtures against the Wallabies. He elaborates on Fainga’anuku's abilities, "Most of his distribution is post-contact, yes, but Leicester Fainga’anuku can do both. He has a great offload, great power when he has two defenders on him."
Ultimately, Marshall's comments illuminate a desire for a more expansive and unpredictable All Blacks attack strategy, aiming to better utilize the talents of dynamic backs like Will Jordan by widening the play and creating more space. It's a strategic critique aimed at evolving the team's approach to reclaim their dominant stature on the global stage.