Ruben Love's Jersey to Lose? All Blacks First-Five Battle Heats Up

The All Blacks No.10 jersey isn’t just up for debate right now, it’s up for grabs. And that’s not a problem. That’s exactly where New Zealand rugby needs to be.

For so long, that position felt like it belonged to someone. It was Dan Carter’s from 2004 right through to 2015 (when injuries didn’t derail his seasons), and then Beauden Barretts’ from 2016 through to 2018.

Since, the competition for All Blacks starting first-five has been more hotly contested, and the position belongs to whoever is good enough to take it.

At the centre of that competition in 2026 is Ruben Love, a player who - as Ant Strachan pointed out on the DSPN with Martin Devlin - has had to fight through frustration just to get to this point.

“He's had some injuries, some nasty injuries, and he just hasn't really been able to get his game going. He was playing at 15 for a while and we know those pivots can change between 15 and 10. But he is going well.”

Love had arguably his best Super Rugby campaign in 2024 playing largely at fullback. Now back at first receiver, he’s playing just as well.

“I think they [the Hurricanes] have really got to invest in Ruben Love… Clark Laidlaw, Jason Holland, you know, they're working extensively with him to play in that pivotal position,” Strachan added.

The 24-year-old’s good form is running parallel with an equally exquisite start to the season for the ‘Canes. They top the table with six wins from seven, highlighted by an incredible points difference of plus-189.

The Hurricanes’ average winning margin in those six victories is 32.3 points, and in four of them they scored over 50. It is important to note that in their most recent outing against the previously second-place Blues, they managed six converted tries for a 42-19 victory.

Usually when first plays second, one side doesn’t run away in such dominant fashion.

Love isn’t the only one knocking on the first-five door for the All Blacks, according to Strachan. Josh Jacomb is right there as well, building quietly but convincingly.

“He has started to really play well for the Chiefs,” Strachan says.

 ”[Love and Jacomb] are the two younger 10’s, that are not so old that they can't handle international football, but they're building really, really nicely.

“[We’ve got] new coaches as well, and I know Neil Barnes is such a details man around those technical skills… he'd be working extensively with those two. And of course, he's coached Josh Jacomb at Taranaki and also with the Chiefs.”

The excitement around young playmakers shining creates a slightly more uncomfortable conversation around some of the more established names.

Damian McKenzie is one that comes to mind for Martin, who questions what the 30-year-old should do in terms of positioning - does he prioritise first-five or fullback?

It’s a fair question, because McKenzie’s talent has never been in doubt. His impact has never been in doubt, but his role is where things get murky.

“It's a bit of a conundrum now, because most people in New Zealand will say you got to have him in the 23. When the game is broken up or broken open, he'll come in and he'll be devastating,” Strachan said.

Test rugby doesn’t always allow for that chaos. Often, it demands structure. Discipline. Patience. And that’s where the tension lies.

“He's probably struggled the most when he's been in those really tight test matches, first 20, 25 minutes, just playing within systems and structures… that's not his natural game.

“He’s a Marc Ellis type player of the former years where he can play anywhere, to be honest.”

That’s not a criticism from Strachan of McKenzie’s ability. It’s a question of fit. So what does McKenzie do? Does he demand the 10 jersey, take control of that Chiefs jumper - something coach Jono Gibbes would have to allow of course.

Or does he wait? Does he adapt? As Strachan points out, it’s not that simple.

“I think he'll be there [in the All Blacks], but I'm just not quite sure whether he'll have that 10 jersey or not.”