In a dramatic rise over the past two years, Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor has moved swiftly from relative obscurity to becoming a key figure in the All Blacks lineup. With the recent 31-27 victory over France in Dunedin, Proctor has been thrust into the spotlight, but his mindset remains firmly grounded in finding balance between pressure and performance.

The 26-year-old Proctor made his All Blacks debut in 2024, playing against Fiji and Japan, and continued his ascent in 2025 as coach Scott Robertson selected him to start at centre for the test series against France. The move was widely welcomed by fans and analysts alike, with Rieko Ioane shifting to the left wing. However, with growing expectations, Proctor has learned to keep things in perspective.

"You can't get too caught up in those things," Proctor told the Herald. "I back myself as a player, as people in this environment do, and that's why they're here. I don't get too caught up in it and put unnecessary pressure on myself."

For Proctor, balance is key. He believes that while the responsibility of wearing the All Blacks jersey is immense, maintaining self-belief is just as important. "If you don’t have that, then the pressure can consume you; you probably get consumed by the pressure and don’t put out the performances that you’re wanting," he said.

Proctor's performance in the Dunedin test was impressive. He played a crucial role in Jordie Barrett's try at the end of the first half, and although his second-half effort was disallowed for a knock-on, his work rate and physicality were notable. The midfield pairing with Barrett had already proven successful during the 2024 Hurricanes season, and the chemistry quickly re-established itself after Barrett's year in Ireland.

"It’s always nice to be outside Udon [Barrett]," Proctor said. "His impact on the game is pretty big, he has a high workload and it’s always nice running off him with the skillset that he has. He’s a skilful player, whether it’s in the air, catch, pass or kick, he can do that lot, so I always enjoy playing outside Jordie."

Proctor's journey to the starting lineup was no accident. After returning from an Achilles injury, he was among the top performers in Super Rugby Pacific, particularly in terms of defenders beaten. Reflecting on the season, he admitted that he wasn't thinking too far ahead at the start but wanted to establish himself as a consistent performer in the Hurricanes before aiming higher.

"At the start of the year, it was a bit of an unknown how long my leg was going to take," he said. "I was focusing on first things first, which was getting right and getting back on the field before I thought about things to come further down the line."

The All Blacks' first test against France was a significant step up from his initial two black-cape appearances, both of which were decisive victories. Proctor acknowledged that there were moments he would like to forget, particularly when he was beaten outside by Theo Attissogbe following a midfield scrum. The incident left him with a facial injury after being caught by the French fullback's boot, though he was soon stitched up and ready to move on.

"I think I got his sprig, so a few stitches post-game but it’s all good," Proctor said. "There’s obviously a few things that I want back but that’s part of test footy; the pressure and being able to execute. For the most part, I did that. If I had my time back there were one or two moments that could have been a little bit better, but I’ll learn from that."

As the All Blacks prepare for the second test, Proctor's performance in the first will serve as a valuable learning experience. With a strong work ethic and a clear understanding of the balance required to thrive under pressure, he is well-positioned to continue his rise in the All Blacks setup.