.jpg) Taumoefolau with the Chiefs in the 2026 Super Rugby final | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Kyren Taumoefolau | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (2003-05-08) 8 May 2003 Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Marlborough Boys' College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kyren Taumoefolau (born 8 May 2003) is a New Zealand-born Tongan rugby union player who plays fullback and wing for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific and Tasman in the Bunnings NPC, as well as the Tongan national team.[1][2]
Early life
Taumoefolau was born in Blenheim, in the New Zealand region of Marlborough in 2003.[3] He is of Tongan ancestry.[4][5]
Career
Moana Pasifika
He played for local Picton club Waitohi, before joining Moana Pasifika.[6] His debut for Moana Pasifika came in the second round coming off the bench in a win over the Fijian Drua. He scored a try in his first start for the side, crossing the line in the 47th minute of a 14–22 win over the Western Force. He again scored the following week in a 60–21 loss against the ACT Brumbies.
Taumoefolau exploded in 2025, scoring 9 tries as Moana Pasifika completed their best season since their establishment in 2022. In May, rumours began to swirl about a potential move to rival Super Rugby Pacific team, the Chiefs. In June, Moana Pasifika confirmed via social media that Taumoefolau was leaving the team. He signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs on the 4th of August.
Chiefs
In August 2025, it was announced that Taumoefolau had signed for the Hamilton based Chiefs on a two-year deal, starting in 2026.[7][8] In June 2026, Taumoefolau, whom had scored in his previous four appearances for the Chiefs,[9] including a back-to-back double,[10][11] made his first Super Rugby grand final appearance. The Chiefs lost to the Hurricanes 60–5 in Wellington.[12]
International career
Being born in New Zealand, Taumoefolau is eligible to represent the All Blacks and Tonga.
He made his senior international Test debut coming off the bench against Australia A in July 2023.[9] He scored a try in the 2023 Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji. He was later named in the Tonga squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, featuring once against Romania where he again scored.[9][13]
Having not played for Tonga since 2023, Taumoefolau would be eligible to represent New Zealand in October 2026,[4][14] ahead of New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup series against Australia.[14]
References
- rugbybworldcup.com. "Kyren Taumoefolau (Tonga) | Rugby World Cup 2023". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- worldrugby.org. "Kyren Taumoefolau - Player Stats | HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- "Kyren Taumoefolau is ELECTRIC in Super Rugby, could he be a future All Black? | Crowd Goes Wild". Sky Sport. 12 March 2025 – via YouTube.
- Worthington, Sam (21 March 2025). "'Unearthed an absolute superstar': Winger 'more gifted than Suaalii' set to ditch Tonga for All Blacks". Nine.com.au. Nine Entertainment.
- Manukuo, Matt (21 February 2025). "Kyren Taumoefolau reflects on his journey with Moana Pasifika". Pacific Media Network.
- Hampson, Matthew (19 October 2023). "A try in 13 minutes and a dream realised - Marlborough's World Cup players". Stuff. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- "Super Rugby Pacific: Kyren Taumoefolau joins Chiefs on two-year deal". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- "Chiefs confirm prized signing of Moana Pasifika star Kyren Taumoefolau". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- "Kyren Taumoefolau: Stats – All Rugby". All Rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- Naivalurua, Navitalai (7 June 2026). "Chiefs through to semifinals after 46-24 win over the Reds". Fiji Village.
- "First half demolition delivers Chiefs thumping win over Crusaders". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 12 June 2026.
- "Hurricanes blow Chiefs away in windy Welly to win Super Rugby Pacific title". Radio New Zealand. 20 June 2026.
- "Kyren Taumoefolau | Ultimate Rugby". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- Goile, Aaron (19 June 2026). "New Chiefs star Kyren Taumoefolau to become All Blacks eligible for Bledisloe Cup series". Waikato Times.
External links
- Kyren Taumoefolau at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Kyren Taumoefolau at all.rugby/
- Kyren Taumoefolau at rugbydatabase.co.nz/