Cam Roigard

Cam Roigard was on his way to becoming New Zealand’s first-choice scrum-half when his knee gave way at the 2023 World Cup, and he has spent the time since making the same case again.

He is a big nine by modern standards and uses it — a genuine running threat from the base who breaks the line himself rather than only creating for others, with a long, accurate pass and a strong kicking game.

The injury was serious and the recovery long. What he came back with was the same player, which is not guaranteed after a knee reconstruction at that level.

He came through the Hurricanes and has been central to their attack.

Aaron Smith’s international retirement after the 2023 tournament ended the longest-running scrum-half incumbency in All Blacks history and opened the position properly for the first time in a decade. Roigard, Cortez Ratima and Finlay Christie have been competing for it since.

He was born in 2000. The 2027 World Cup arrives when he is 26, which is close to the ideal age for a Test nine.