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 to New Zealand, settling in Kaeo in the Far North; he attended Kerikeri High School before earning a scholarship to St Kentigern College in Auckland, where he initially played as a loose forward before transitioning to prop.
Siblings
Williams has two sisters, Kenya and Terina. His parents are Johnny and Natalie Williams.
He is the nephew of former All Black and rugby league player Eric Rush, and cousin to Brady Rush.
Family support has been a consistent theme in his career, with relatives often present for major milestones such as his All Blacks debut.
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Career
Williams represented New Zealand Schools in 2017 and 2018 and was selected for the New Zealand Under-20s in 2019, scoring three tries in five matches.
He made his provincial debut for Canterbury in 2020 and was the youngest member of the Māori All Blacks squad that year.
He debuted for the Crusaders in Super Rugby in 2021 and has become a regular, reaching his 50th appearance in 2025.
He featured for the All Blacks XV in 2022.
Williams made his All Blacks Test debut on 15 July 2023 against South Africa and was selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad in France, where he appeared in matches including the pool stages.
He has accumulated over 25 Test caps, scoring multiple tries, and has established himself as a key figure in the All Blacks front row, capable of playing both loosehead and tighthead.
In August 2025 he re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders, and Canterbury through to the end of 2029, covering the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the 2029 British & Irish Lions tour.
In early 2026 he received a three-week suspension for dangerous play and was later ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season after being diagnosed with discitis, a serious infection in a spinal disc; he has been undergoing treatment with a full recovery expected, though his return timeline for international rugby remains subject to medical advice.
Accolades
Williams was part of Crusaders teams that won Super Rugby titles in consecutive seasons around 2022-2023.
He contributed to Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV successes, including a win over Ireland A.
Selection for the All Blacks and participation in the 2023 Rugby World Cup represent major international milestones.
He has been recognised as one of New Zealand’s most promising young props and has taken on ambassadorial roles, including with the Child Cancer Foundation.
His long-term contract extension through 2029 underscores his value to New Zealand rugby.
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