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International

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson reveals who the fastest player in New Zealand is

By Ben Smith

42 days ago

(Photos by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images/Joe Allison/Getty Images)

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has revealed who the fastest player in New Zealand is, and it’s not one of his current squad members.

Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan are all known speedsters within the All Blacks, but according to Robertson the honour of the fastest player in New Zealand goes to Chiefs winger Leroy Carter.

The 26-year-old had a breakout season in his first year with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, finishing with nine tries which was equal fourth most in the competition.

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Carter joined the Chiefs after a career with the All Blacks Sevens, winning a world series title in 2023 and earning a nomination for the Sevens Men’s World Player of the Year.

On the discussion of how speed over size is becoming a preference for the top international teams in the wing position, Robertson singled out Carter as a sevens player who has come back to 15s with resounding success.

“It’s quite interesting around sevens players coming back into our game,” Robertson explained.

“Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Leroy Carter, they’re sevens players that have come back into 15s, they’re tough, great around the breakdown, good kick chasers, they are used to tackling 6’6 Fijians above the knee one-on-one.

“They’ve got speed which creates more opportunities. Leroy Carter is the fastest in New Zealand, statistically. It’s pretty incredible the opportunities that come just through his speed.

“Those boys in the Springboks have transitioned back [to 15s] incredibly well.”

Carter’s form with the Chiefs wasn’t enough to earn selection in Robertson’s first All Blacks squad to play France, with just two genuine wingers selected in Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece.

But Robertson did say that Carter “was in the picture” and the selectors considered the dynamic Chiefs winger. Despite Carter’s form season, a preference for versatility may have played against him with Will Jordan, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and even perhaps Ruben Love, all capable of playing wing.

On Rieko Ioane continually getting picked at centre, Robertson said that the Blues midfielder often finished games on the wing for the All Blacks, highlighting his versatility.

“A lot of the games he finished on the wing last year, we were mindful of the combinations when we first started,” he said.

“We had over 700 Test caps of experience last year and that was part of it [decision to keep Ioane at No.13] and ease him back into the wing.

“He played all of his Super Rugby at centre and that’s how we started. He did play wing and like I said, to play a couple of positions is really critical.

“He can definitely get on the wing and finish tries.”

Comments

25 Comments

Toaster 40 days ago

Carter hmmm

I really like him but wouldn’t pick him to be the fastest

Really like the look of Tangitau

To the way he looks real fast

BA 41 days ago

If Leroy Carter is fastest wing in NZ then Fletcher Newell is the fastest prop in the history of the game

Loosehead 41 days ago

Caleb tangitau looked the goods till injured.just another in the mix of talent for wing.nahalo too till injured.

Gracious 41 days ago

We need a coach who is willing to be humble enough to study the styles of the past successful coaches and blend it together and implement and only use their own style if needed. In that way, the coach still have something new awaited to show in time of need. Why? Most players (the developing ones) secretly use the styles of their best past players and only used their styles when they lost momentum, panicking, and the other team is ahead. No matter who are the best selected team are - they will only follow the coach agreed game plan to a certain point and then switch to their own individual strength when feel uncertain of winning with the standing plan.

Gracious 41 days ago

NZ Rugby teams every year brings pride to the people (most of the population) especially when they win. But, when it loses it sparks critics from every corners. It affects players and coaches (esp head coach) and their families. This becomes the norms and it continues to be every year. What are we going to do about it? Nothing works??- from reconciliation to replacement to win? If (only if) the critics change their tactics from killers bullets to encouraging the coaches and the players to do better (no matter who acts - players, coaches) then NZ game will maintain it’s reign - guarantee - NZ is and always be the best rugby in the world

Ben 41 days ago

No matter who beats them. Got it.

johnz 41 days ago

The wing selections are a little curious. We’ve got Sevu, who hasn’t performed at international level for years - and Clarke, who was in terrible form this year in SR.

Clarke was excellent last season in tests and offers a point of difference, but his dire form is worrying. Sevu is clearly a SR beast, but his ineffectiveness at test level should have probably ended his career last year. Surely this is the last chance saloon for him this season.

The chiefs wingers are certainly unlucky.

I can only think Razor has seen the midfield is not quite up to scratch, so is taking this series against French B as a kind of trial for the copious number of midfielders he’s carrying. I can’t see them carrying so many midfielders through the entire season.

No doubt Carter or Narawa will get a shot at some point, so Reece and Clarke would be best advised to make the most of this opportunity.

SadersMan 41 days ago

Carter & Narawa were my picks over Clarke & Sevu, great to hear Razor has both on his razordar.

IkeaBoy 41 days ago

‘razordar’ is elite!!!

OutRun22 41 days ago

as I said carter is our right wing along with Jordan thats it. riko can take a hike. hes leaving anyway and he shouldnt even be there.

PoppaRick 41 days ago

If Ioane isn’t a wing get rid him. I hate picking players for multiple positions. Pick the best for each position tell them what’s expected, then it’s perform or adios.

You can’t expect to create a team that dominates without developing combinations. Yes every team needs Kwagor Smith or David Havili/ Timoci Tavatavanawai but specialists perform best under pressure.

ck 41 days ago

Caleb Tangitau is the fastest

OutRun22 41 days ago

not quite bub the other 7s guy is quicker if you remember moses Leo? yeah he was the quickest ‘rugby player’

Icefarrow 41 days ago

In a 100 metre sprint maybe, but they don’t measure speed like that in professional sports. A good number of All Blacks have been clocked at hitting top speeds of around 37-38 kmph.

Blackmania 41 days ago

It's good to hear that Leroy Carter is on Razor's radar. He could have been part of this first squad — maybe he’ll make it into the Rugby Championship if the current wingers don’t perform well enough.

Over the sideline 42 days ago

Speed is such a difficult thing to put a value on. In most team sports, speed over the first 20-25 mtrs is all you need to make a break or get past an opponent it rarely does a fast 100m speed benifit much. There is always that once tho…

JW 41 days ago

There’s no such thing as a 100m speed. Theres 100m time, and theres top speed, which would what only take 30m to reach?

Top speed is crucial in rugby, well at leas the way the All Blacks used to be able to play making a break from anywhere, and in some american football positions, not much else though you’re probably right.

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