Fletcher Newell

Scrummaging power allied to surprising mobility has made Fletcher Newell one of New Zealand's most promising tighthead props. Born on 1 March 2000, he combines an aggressive set-piece game with the kind of pace in open play rarely associated with front-row forwards. A graduate of New Zealand's age-grade system, Newell was a standout at the 2020 U20 Championship before earning his first All Blacks cap in 2022, a swift rise that reflected his scrummaging maturity. For the Crusaders he provides vital impact, anchoring the scrum while adding energy and dynamism around the field. His ability to hold up under pressure at the set piece gives his side a stable platform, and his work rate in the loose means he contributes far beyond the tight exchanges. Whether starting or arriving from the bench, Newell brings the technical grounding and physical intensity that the tighthead role demands. Still developing, he already offers New Zealand a long-term option in a specialist position where experience and scrummaging craft are prized, and his trajectory marks him as a forward of genuine international standing.