Damian McKenzie is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a first five-eighth (fly-half) or fullback for the All Blacks, the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, and Waikato in the National Provincial Championship. Born Damian Sinclair McKenzie on 20 April 1995 in Invercargill, he stands around 174–177 cm and weighs about 75–78 kg. He attended Christ’s College in Christchurch and comes from a dairy-farming family. He is of Māori descent (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) through his mother. Siblings Damian’s older brother is Marty McKenzie, who is also a professional rugby union player. The brothers grew up in a rugby-loving family…
Author: Kevin Koech
Brodie Allan Retallick is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a lock. Born on 31 May 1991 in Rangiora, New Zealand, he grew up in Amberley in North Canterbury and attended Christchurch Boys’ High School. He is known for his powerful presence in the second row combined with strong ball skills, work rate, and lineout ability. He currently plays for Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One. He previously represented Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s provincial competition and the Chiefs in Super Rugby, and he earned 109 Test caps for the All Blacks between 2012…
Ardie Suemalo Savea is a New Zealand professional rugby union player known for his explosive athleticism, powerful ball-carrying, defensive intensity, and leadership as a loose forward. Born on 14 October 1993 in Wellington to Samoan parents Masina and Lina Savea, he grew up in a humble household in areas such as Berhampore and Island Bay. The family faced financial challenges, with his parents making significant sacrifices, including relying on public transport for the boys’ early rugby commitments, yet providing strong support and values centered on hard work and family. Savea attended Rongotai College, where he captained the First XV and…
Wallace Sititi is a New Zealand rugby union player who has emerged as one of the most dynamic loose forwards in the modern game. Born on 7 September 2002 in Apia, Samoa, he stands 1.87 metres tall and weighs 113 kilograms, combining power, athleticism and sharp handling skills in the number eight and flanker positions. He currently plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific and North Harbour in the Bunnings NPC, while representing the All Blacks at international level. Sititi qualifies for New Zealand through residency after his family settled in Auckland. He is the son of former Manu…
Tyrel Shae Lomax is an Australian-born New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a tighthead prop. Born on 16 March 1996 in Canberra, Australia, he stands 192 cm tall and weighs around 127 kg. He represents the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific and Tasman in the Bunnings NPC, and he is an established All Black (All Black number 1180). Of Māori descent through the Muaūpoko and Ngāi Tūhoe iwi, Lomax is the son of former New Zealand Kiwis and Canberra Raiders rugby league prop John Lomax. He spent parts of his childhood in Wainuiomata near Wellington and later in…
Jordan Matthew Barrett, born on 17 February 1997 in New Plymouth, New Zealand, is a professional rugby union player who primarily plays as a versatile outside back or midfielder for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific and the All Blacks. He is renowned for his athleticism, aerial ability, kicking skills, and positional flexibility – he has started at fullback, centre (especially inside centre), wing, and even first-five. All Black number 1159, he has earned over 80 Test caps and more than 300 points for New Zealand (including over 25 tries). He is the youngest of the highly successful Barrett rugby…
Viliami Pasilio Tosi, born on 18 July 1998 in Levin, New Zealand, is a professional rugby union player who represents the All Blacks as a tighthead prop. He is known for his powerful scrummaging, work rate, ball-carrying ability, and versatility after transitioning from a loose forward role. Of Tongan heritage, Tosi grew up in a humble household where his parents, Pahulu (also known as Nick or Viliami Pahulu) and Foulata, worked as vegetable farmers. His mother Foulata passed away in 2015. He attended Horowhenua College before spending three years in the Rotorua Boys’ High School First XV. Tosi currently plays…
Tamaiti Patariki Thomas Williams, born on 10 August 2000 in Whangārei, New Zealand, is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific, Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship, and the All Blacks. He is known for his physicality, ball-carrying ability, agility, and work rate in the front row. Of Māori descent, he affiliates to the Ngāpuhi iwi. His family moved to Perth, Australia, when he was a few months old, where he attended schools including Aranmore Catholic College and played both rugby union and rugby league. In 2016 the family returned…
Luke Brittain Jacobson is a New Zealand rugby union player born on 20 April 1997 in Te Awamutu and raised in nearby Cambridge in the Waikato region. He plays primarily as a flanker or number eight in the loose forward positions. A product of Cambridge High School and the Hautapu club, he is known for his powerful ball carries, relentless defence, work rate, versatility, and leadership. He has represented the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific and the All Blacks at international level, becoming All Black number 1183. Siblings Luke is the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were born…
Fabian Holland is a professional Dutch-born rugby union player who plays as a lock. Born on 9 October 2002 in Alkmaar, North Holland, in the Netherlands, he grew up in the nearby village of Akersloot. He is known for his physical presence, lineout ability, work rate, and ball-carrying. He moved to New Zealand in early 2019 at the age of 16 to attend Christchurch Boys’ High School, initially for a short stay that became permanent. He has since represented New Zealand at multiple levels and made history as the first Netherlands-born player to play for the All Blacks. He currently…
George Gadai Bower is a New Zealand rugby union player born on 28 May 1992 in Wellington, specifically associated with the Taita area of Lower Hutt. He plays as a prop and is known for his versatility in covering both the tighthead and loosehead positions in the scrum. Of Fijian heritage through his parents Niko and Kula Bower, with paternal ties to Vagadaci village on Ovalau Island and maternal links to Nakelo in Tailevu, he was raised in New Zealand with strong family and faith values. He attended Taita College and began his rugby journey at the Avalon Rugby Club…
Ethan de Groot is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a loosehead prop for the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific and Southland in the National Provincial Championship. Born on 22 July 1998 on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, he qualifies for New Zealand through ancestry and has become a mainstay in the All Blacks front row since his debut in 2021. He is known for his powerful scrummaging, high work rate around the field, and physical presence. A proud Southlander who attended Gore High School and Southland Boys’ High School, he has remained loyal to his…
George Bell is a New Zealand rugby union player born on 29 January 2002. He is a hooker who plays for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific and Canterbury in the Bunnings NPC (National Provincial Championship). Bell is known as a dynamic, mobile, and try-scoring front-rower with strong ball-carrying ability and lineout skills. He began his rugby at the Eastern Rugby Football Club in Waikouaiti, later becoming a boarder at John McGlashan College in Dunedin, where he also excelled in age-grade cricket. Bell later studied at Lincoln University while progressing through the Crusaders Academy. Siblings Bell has an older brother,…
Scott Kevin Barrett (born 20 November 1993 in New Plymouth, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union lock who plays for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC. He is All Black number 1155 and served as All Blacks captain starting in June 2024 (the 68th man to hold the role). Barrett is a powerful, athletic, and intelligent second-row forward known for his work rate, lineout expertise, ball-carrying, leadership, and occasional ability to cover blindside flanker. He attended Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth and later studied at Lincoln University. Siblings Barrett comes…
Sam Darry is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a lock for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific and Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship. Born on 11 July 2000 and standing 2.03 metres tall while weighing around 110 kilograms, he is a towering, athletic second-rower known for his clean lineout work, physicality, strong carries, and work rate. Originally from the West Melton area near Christchurch, he attended Christ’s College, where he captained the First XV and also competed successfully in rowing. He made his All Blacks debut in 2024 as All Black number 1220 and has…