https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-tanya-kalounivale-14978RUGBEen2026-11-06T05:29:52.599ZTanya Kalounivale: a first game at 17, then tries in an Aupiki final and a World Cup semi-final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-joseva-tamani-605RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJoseva Tamani: Fiji Test forward who scored in Otago's first Shield win over Canterbury in 77 years https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-xavier-saifoloi-16341RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZXavier Saifoloi: Crusader 297 in a title-winning season, tipped by Lima Sopoaga as a future Test player https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-rohan-wingham-16242RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZRohan Wingham: the prop who ended King's High's 23-year New Zealand Schools wait joins the Hurricanes https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-lucas-casey-15967RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZLucas Casey: two tries in Otago's 2025 Ranfurly Shield win and 19 NPC tries in two seasons https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-duplessis-kirifi-481RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZDu'Plessis Kirifi: captain of three title-winning sides and a debut in the All Blacks' 500th Test win https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-patrick-tuipulotu-571RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZPatrick Tuipulotu: ended the Blues' 21-year title wait on an injured knee, then captained the All Blacks https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-sam-darry-929RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZSam Darry: a try on his first All Blacks start, a Super Rugby title and an NPC crown https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-rivez-reihana-494RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZRivez Reihana: man of the match in a Super Rugby final, and captain as Northland end a 48-year Shield wait https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-sean-withy-553RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZSean Withy: Otago co-captain at 22, Southland captain at 23 and 54 games for the Highlanders https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-tk-howden-566RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZTK Howden: Super Rugby's tackle leader after 14 rounds and the Highlanders' 2026 Forward of the Year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-luke-jacobson-491RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZLuke Jacobson: captained the Under 20s to a world title, then the Chiefs to three straight finals https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-feleti-sae-taufoou-631RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZFeleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou: the rookie prop who scored a Super Rugby hat-trick against the Waratahs https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ofa-tuungafasi-16210RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZOfa Tu'ungafasi: the Blues' most capped player, and a try in the record 57-0 win over South Africa https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-taha-kemara-556RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZTaha Kemara: signed at 19 to follow Richie Mo'unga at the Crusaders, then home to the Chiefs for 2027 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-harry-godfrey-15778RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZHarry Godfrey: NZ Rugby's 2023 Age Grade Player of the Year, back from an ACL with 84 NPC points https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-will-stodart-16313RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZWill Stodart: co-captain at 21 when Otago took the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-caleb-clarke-572RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCaleb Clarke: a hat-trick in the final that ended the Blues' 21-year wait, and 16 tries for the All Blacks https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-patrick-pellegrini-500RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZPatrick Pellegrini: from English fifth-tier rugby to a World Cup try and a Test hat-trick for Tonga https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jack-taylor-614RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJack Taylor: the teenage hooker whose 50-metre try beat the Crusaders, now the Highlanders' first-choice No 2 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-macca-springer-516RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZMacca Springer: five tries in one game to equal Super Rugby's record, then a start in the 2025 final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-finn-hurley-638RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZFinn Hurley: a chip-and-chase solo try as the Highlanders beat the Blues for the first time in nine attempts https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jacob-ratumaitavuki-kneepkens-488RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens: tries in two Ranfurly Shield wins, back from a fractured neck https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-sevu-reece-456RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZSevu Reece: Super Rugby's all-time leading try-scorer, with 74 tries for the Crusaders https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-folau-fakatava-527RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZFolau Fakatava: a Ranfurly Shield try and the NPC's player of the year at 20, then the All Blacks https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-corey-kellow-584RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCorey Kellow: tries in five NPC games running, an NPC title at openside and three Crusaders title squads https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-caleb-tangitau-480RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCaleb Tangitau: Sevens World Cup finalist at 19, then 13 tries in 18 games for the Highlanders https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-marcel-renata-558RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZMarcel Renata: Super Rugby champion who scored as Northland ended a 48-year Ranfurly Shield wait https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-finlay-christie-587RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZFinlay Christie: Scots-born World Cup finalist who helped end the Blues' 21-year title drought https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-brayden-iose-514RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBrayden Iose: New Zealand Schools captain, Super Rugby champion and Manawatū's last-gasp match-winner https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-dylan-pledger-15779RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZDylan Pledger: Ranfurly Shield winner, U20 world finalist, eight tries in Otago's run to the final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-brett-cameron-841RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBrett Cameron: an All Black after two NPC seasons, then the Ranfurly Shield and a Hurricanes title https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-bradley-slater-632RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBradley Slater: NPC champion, a Ranfurly Shield like his father, then an emergency All Blacks call-up https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-xavi-taele-618RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZXavi Taele: Age Grade Player of the Year who sealed a Māori All Blacks comeback in Nagoya https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-samipeni-finau-529RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZSamipeni Finau: the debut try that turned a Bledisloe Test, and four straight Super Rugby finals https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-mitchell-drummond-967RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZMitchell Drummond: five title-winning Crusaders finals, a try in one, and 150 games in red and black https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-tengblad-16343RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJosh Tengblad: the 2.02m lock who helped New Zealand win the U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-caleb-delany-598RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCaleb Delany: started both of Wellington's NPC final wins this century, then won Super Rugby https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-cam-christie-641RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCam Christie: Under 20 title winner and Blues player of the match at 20, named for 2027 after a lost season https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-vernon-bason-16339RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZVernon Bason: New Zealand U20 captain who scored twice to win a world championship bronze https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-johnny-lee-16342RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJohnny Lee: two tries on his Crusaders debut, a Ranfurly Shield winner and Tasman captain at 22 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ollie-norris-590RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZOllie Norris: the schoolboy No 8 who became an All Blacks prop, debuting in the 500th Test win https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-callum-harkin-498RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCallum Harkin: kicked the extra-time winner in an NPC final, then scored in a Super Rugby final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-angus-taavao-1676RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZAngus Taʻavao: from the Chiefs' wider squad to All Black in one season, and a Super Rugby title at 34 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-corey-evans-533RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCorey Evans: back from three ACL injuries to score in Northland's first NPC final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-veveni-lasaqa-506RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZVeveni Lasaqa: a try on his Highlanders debut, then the club's 2025 Rookie of the Year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-naitoa-ah-kuoi-602RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZNaitoa Ah Kuoi: four Super Rugby finals, a try in the 2026 decider and six games from a Chiefs century https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-kini-naholo-475RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZKini Naholo: 40 tries in one school season, back from two ACL injuries to win Super Rugby https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-henry-bell-16075RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZHenry Bell: started Otago's first Ranfurly Shield win over Canterbury in 77 years https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-emoni-narawa-487RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZEmoni Narawa: a try on his Test debut, four Tests unbeaten and a full-time match-winner at Ellis Park https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-kaylum-boshier-573RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZKaylum Boshier: captain of New Zealand at a cricket World Cup, then of Taranaki's NPC champions https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-daniel-lienert-brown-15768RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZDaniel Lienert-Brown: from 2015 injury call-up to Super Rugby champion and 100 games for Canterbury https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jacob-devery-616RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJacob Devery: from third-choice Magpies hooker to Shield holder, Māori All Black and Super Rugby champion https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-beehre-544RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJosh Beehre: a Super Rugby debut in his Whangārei home town, then a Blues title in his first season https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-fusitua-604RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJosh Fusitu'a: Super Rugby champion off the bench in 2024, Blues Player of the Year in 2025 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-pita-ahki-372RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZPita Ahki: five French titles and two European Cups with Toulouse, now back home at the Blues https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jayden-sa-16115RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJayden Sa: a try in the World U20 Championship final, and a Ranfurly Shield win at 19 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-finlay-brewis-15809RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZFinlay Brewis: starting loosehead for Canterbury's back-to-back NPC titles in 2025 and 2026 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-james-white-16107RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJames White: five penalties at Eden Park on his first start, the youngest Canterbury player to do it https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-dom-gardiner-15812RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZDom Gardiner: Super Rugby champion in 2023 and the turnover that won the Ranfurly Shield in 2026 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-isaac-hutchinson-15808RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZIsaac Hutchinson: two tries off the bench in the 2026 NPC final, months after scoring in a Super Rugby semi https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-toby-bell-15964RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZToby Bell: the bench try that won Canterbury's first Ranfurly Shield defence of 2026 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jake-te-hiwi-16101RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJake Te Hiwi: from captaining Otago's Ranfurly Shield defence to the Crusaders' midfield https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-whaanga-16134RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJosh Whaanga: the offload that sparked Otago's Ranfurly Shield comeback in Christchurch https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-oliver-haig-16213RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZOliver Haig: Perth-born, England-raised, an All Blacks XV starter at Thomond Park and a Hurricane for 2027 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jack-lee-16088RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJack Lee: from Westlake's first Top Four side to a Blues contract in the second row https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ruben-love-469RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZRuben Love: man of the match with a record 25 points in the 2026 Super Rugby final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-cam-millar-15968RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZCam Millar: the 2025 NPC's top points scorer, and 27 points to beat the Crusaders https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-brad-shields-88RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBrad Shields: the only man in both Hurricanes title-winning finals, with England Tests in between https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-daniel-rona-495RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZDaniel Rona: the concreter on a 30-day deal who scored in an NPC final and a Super Rugby semi-final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-fiti-sa-15966RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZFiti Sa: the 2.03m lock who won all six of his first games for the Chiefs https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-rory-taylor-15777RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZRory Taylor: seven tries in his first NPC season, and a Blues contract at 24 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-tamaiti-williams-592RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZTamaiti Williams: four Super Rugby finals, four titles, and a World Cup final at 23 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-brodie-mcalister-612RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBrodie McAlister: a debut try to seal a 3-0 sweep of France, then the NPC title as Canterbury captain https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-billy-proctor-497RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBilly Proctor: Hurricanes captain, Super Rugby champion and, like his brother, a try on his Test debut https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-dalton-papalii-510RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZDalton Papali'i: a World Cup final in 2023, then a Super Rugby title with the Blues in 2024 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-noah-hotham-541RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZNoah Hotham: Super Rugby champion at 22, and the third Hotham sibling to represent New Zealand https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-leroy-carter-461RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZLeroy Carter: Sevens World Series champion who scored in each of his first three Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-adam-lennox-15985RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZAdam Lennox: tries in Taranaki's 2023 NPC final and 2024 Ranfurly Shield wins https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-bryn-hall-16011RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZBryn Hall: six seasons at the Crusaders, six titles and a try in the 2022 final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-simon-parker-525RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZSimon Parker: 20 tackles on debut and a starter in each of his first eight Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-shannon-frizell-1032RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZShannon Frizell: the Tongan goalkeeper who became an All Blacks World Cup flanker https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-kyren-taumoefolau-472RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZKyren Taumoefolau: an NPC-record 19 tries in a season, five in one game, and a World Cup try for Tonga https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jona-nareki-520RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZJona Nareki: Rugby World Cup Sevens winner, U20 world champion and 24 tries for the Highlanders https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-taufa-funaki-16340RUGBEen2026-11-05T20:00:00.000ZTaufa Funaki: the halfback who scored five tries in the Blues' 2024 title season https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ngano-tavake-15545RUGBEen2026-11-05T18:52:28.706ZNgano Tavake: from the Hurricanes Poua's first ever match to three Black Ferns Tests in 2026 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-moomooga-ona-palu-15540RUGBEen2026-11-05T18:52:28.706ZMo’omo’oga Ona Palu: an Aupiki title with Matatū, then a Black Ferns start on Anzac Day 2026 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-maia-davis-15551RUGBEen2026-11-05T18:52:28.706ZMaia Davis: from the Manukura First XV to a sevens title at 18 and a Black Ferns cap at 20 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ariana-bayler-14953RUGBEen2026-11-05T18:52:28.706ZAriana Bayler: the Waihi halfback who came back from three ruptured ACLs to wear the black jersey https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-chay-fihaki-492RUGBEen2026-11-05T17:25:48.075ZChay Fihaki: from a relegation-saving kick at 19 to an All Blacks debut in Sydney https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ethan-blackadder-623RUGBEen2026-11-05T17:25:48.075ZEthan Blackadder: his debut, like his father's first Test as captain, was a 102-0 win over Tonga https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-fehi-fineanganofo-493RUGBEen2026-11-05T17:25:48.075ZFehi Fineanganofo: the league kid who broke Super Rugby's try record and chose the black jersey https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-kyle-preston-603RUGBEen2026-11-05T17:25:48.075ZKyle Preston: the Tawa roofer whose Super Rugby debut was a hat-trick https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-renee-holmes-14738RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:59:13.770ZRenee Holmes: shut out of men's football, she became a World Cup-winning fullback https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-alena-saili-15565RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:59:13.770ZAlena Saili: two Olympic golds, then a Black Ferns return after seven years https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-maddison-robinson-15563RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:59:13.770ZMaddison Robinson: 10 Tests in her first Black Ferns season and a Test try against France https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-maama-moonia-vaipulu-15237RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:59:13.770ZMaama Vaipulu: from the volleyball court to every Test of a record Black Ferns year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-atlanta-lolohea-14933RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:59:13.770ZAtlanta Lolohea: a first game at 16, then two tries and player of the match in an Aupiki Grand Final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-leicester-faingaanuku-999RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:32:51.222ZLeicester Faingaʻanuku: named after a Tongan win, scorer of a World Cup hat-trick for the All Blacks https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-moorby-15852RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:32:51.222ZJosh Moorby: from Hamilton Boys' third XV to the Super Rugby try record https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-christian-lio-willie-473RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:32:51.222ZChristian Lio-Willie: a dental degree for mum, then the All Blacks No 8 jersey https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-jacomb-504RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:32:51.222ZJosh Jacomb: Taranaki's 30-point record-breaker, an NPC champion and All Black No 1239 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-timoci-tavatavanawai-458RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:32:51.222ZTimoci Tavatavanawai: from a Fijian village with no TV to level on votes for Super Rugby Player of the Year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-justine-mcgregor-15513RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:11:01.790ZJustine McGregor: a Test debut on her 20th birthday, from a school with no rugby field https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-santo-taumata-15568RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:11:01.790ZSanto Taumata: a World Cup winner at 19, and back in black 1,379 days later https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-layla-sae-15068RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:11:01.790ZLayla Sae: from a frozen-meat factory to 24 Tests and a comeback try double in Edinburgh https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-tara-turner-15502RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:11:01.790ZTara Turner: the touch star whose quick tap set up an Aupiki final winner, now a Black Ferns halfback https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-amarante-sititi-15499RUGBEen2026-11-05T16:11:01.790ZAmarante Sititi: four tries in her first five Tests, and a Test day beside her brother Wallace https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-jamie-hannah-1103RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:41:41.122ZJamie Hannah: two NPC titles, a Super Rugby crown and an All Blacks cap for the Oxford lock https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-anton-segner-560RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:41:41.122ZAnton Segner: the Frankfurt boy who became the first German-born All Black https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-pasilio-tosi-1714RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:41:41.122ZPasilio Tosi: a golden-point winner, a Super Rugby title and 19 Tests for the No 8 turned tighthead https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-josh-lord-1276RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:41:41.122ZJosh Lord: the Taumarunui lock who fought back from an ACL to 18 Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-saula-mau-639RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:41:41.122ZSaula Ma'u: from Tonga to Auckland Grammar to the All Blacks' comeback win at Ellis Park https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-mia-anderson-15503RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:25:49.695ZMia Anderson: an Aupiki final try, both of her club's top awards and eight Tests, eight wins https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-chryss-viliko-15002RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:25:49.695ZChryss Viliko: three straight Aupiki titles and a World Cup at loosehead for the Māngere East prop https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-laura-bayfield-14718RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:25:49.695ZLaura Bayfield: the Army bridge builder who scored in a World Cup bronze final https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-veisinia-mahutariki-fakalelu-14825RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:25:49.695ZVeisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu: a World Cup quarter-final start at 20 and every Test of 2026 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-vici-rose-green-14889RUGBEen2026-11-05T15:25:49.695ZVici-Rose Green: the Morrinsville hooker who has never lost a Test https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-george-bell-756RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:54:14.913ZGeorge Bell: the East Otago hooker who scored on debut for the Crusaders and the All Blacks https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-george-bower-611RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:54:14.913ZGeorge Bower: from cutting hair in a Dunedin flat to Super Rugby titles and 31 Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-fletcher-newell-1436RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:54:14.913ZFletcher Newell: the Rangiora tighthead who played every All Blacks Test of 2025 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-xavier-numia-1443RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:54:14.913ZXavier Numia: the midfield back turned loosehead who started two title-winning finals https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-asafo-aumua-622RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:54:14.913ZAsafo Aumua: a hat-trick in a world final at 20, and an All Black before he was a Hurricane https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-maia-joseph-14898RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:36:11.231ZMaia Joseph: the medical student who pressed pause to become the Black Ferns' halfback https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-kennedy-tukuafu-15048RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:36:11.231ZKennedy Tukuafu: turned down Japan, then co-captained the Black Ferns to a World Cup title https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-mererangi-paul-15059RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:36:11.231ZMererangi Paul: from the Northern Mystics to 23 tries in 24 Tests for the Black Ferns https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-hannah-king-14864RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:36:11.231ZHannah King: the halfback turned first five shortlisted for World Rugby's Breakthrough award at 20 https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-amy-du-plessis-14846RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:36:11.231ZAmy du Plessis: from KwaZulu-Natal to World Rugby's Dream Team in the Black Ferns midfield https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-samisoni-taukeiaho-524RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:08:53.268ZSamisoni Taukei'aho: two tries on debut, then a share of the All Blacks forwards' try record for a year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-anton-lienert-brown-674RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:08:53.268ZAnton Lienert-Brown: a Super Rugby debut at 18, now level with Conrad Smith on 94 Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-quinn-tupaea-471RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:08:53.268ZQuinn Tupaea: nearly three years out after a knee injury, then Super Rugby Player of the Year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-tyrel-lomax-676RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:08:53.268ZTyrel Lomax: the Kiwis captain's son, born in Canberra, who started a World Cup final for the All Blacks https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-cortez-ratima-486RUGBEen2026-11-05T14:08:53.268ZCortez Ratima: the farm boy named after a Nike shoe who won an NPC title at 20 and 25 Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/scotland-v-all-blacks-teams-murrayfield-2026RUGBEen2026-11-05T13:37:39.981ZScotland v All Blacks teams: Jordie Barrett back, Beauden Barrett set to equal McCaw's 148 Tests https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-wallace-sititi-591RUGBEen2026-11-05T13:33:16.540ZWallace Sititi: World Rugby's 2024 Breakthrough Player, named for Braveheart and back at Murrayfield https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-tupou-vaai-517RUGBEen2026-11-05T13:33:16.540ZTupou Vaa'i: the first All Black born in the 2000s, now 53 Tests at lock and blindside https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ethan-de-groot-677RUGBEen2026-11-05T13:33:16.540ZEthan de Groot: from crutching sheep in Southland to a World Cup final at loosehead https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-fabian-holland-543RUGBEen2026-11-05T13:33:16.540ZFabian Holland: the first Dutch-born All Black and World Rugby's 2025 Breakthrough Player https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-peter-lakai-490RUGBEen2026-11-05T13:33:16.540ZPeter Lakai: NPC champion at 19, Super Rugby champion at 23, now the All Blacks' openside https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-shyrah-tuliau-tuaa-15524RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:35:53.999ZShyrah Tuliau-Tua’a: from Sacred Heart sevens to seven tries against France in her first Test season https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-elinor-plum-king-15557RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:35:53.999ZElinor-Plum King: from Rippa Rugby in Ongaonga to World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-georgia-ponsonby-15214RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:35:53.999ZGeorgia Ponsonby: a try in the World Cup final, then the Black Ferns captaincy https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-ayesha-leti-iiga-14708RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:35:00.000ZAyesha Leti-I'iga: the Porirua flyer who scored the try that won the 2022 World Cup https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-liana-mikaele-tuu-14940RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:30:00.000ZLiana Mikaele-Tu'u: from Hastings Girls' first First XV to the Blues' title-winning try https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-cam-roigard-460RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:20:00.000ZCam Roigard: a Super Rugby title and 17 Test tries, the third most by any All Blacks halfback https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-rieko-ioane-672RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:15:00.000ZRieko Ioane: World Rugby's Breakthrough Player at 20, now the eighth-highest try-scoring All Black https://www.rugbe.nz/news/career-story-damian-mckenzie-455RUGBEen2026-11-05T12:10:00.000ZDamian McKenzie: from a Southland dairy farm to World Rugby's Dream Team and 423 Test points