Stephen Perofeta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stephen Perofeta
Date of birth (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 27)
Place of birthWhanganui, New Zealand
Height181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
SchoolWhanganui Collegiate School
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth, Fullback
Current team Taranaki, Blues
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Wanganui 7 (47)
2016– Taranaki 63 (340)
2017– Blues 59 (320)
Correct as of 12 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Heartland XV 3 (58)
2016–2017 New Zealand U20 8 (18)
2020 Moana Pasifika 1 (0)
2022 New Zealand 3 (0)
Correct as of 12 March 2024

Stephen Perofeta (born 12 March 1997) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a fly-half for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup.[1] He is also a member of the Blues Super Rugby squad, making his debut towards the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Professional career[edit]

New Zealand Under 20s[edit]

In June 2017, Perofeta was called in as an emergency replacement for the New Zealand Under 20s rugby side at the World Rugby Under 20s World Championship.[2] He started the final, and kicked seven conversions as New Zealand convincingly beat England 64–17 to win the tournament.[3]

Blues 2017–present[edit]

Stephen Perofeta attempting a penalty goal against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park, June 7, 2017

Coming back from injury, Perofeta made his debut as a substitute player against the Queensland Reds in Apia, a match the Blues won 24–19.[4] He scored a try and kicked two conversions, for a total of nine points in his first game. A week later, Perofeta started at first five as the Blues defeated the touring British and Irish Lions at Eden Park 22–16.[5] Perofeta played a key role in the victory, with his beautiful cut-out pass setting up Rieko Ioane for the game's opening try, then his unsuccessful penalty goal attempt lead to a Sonny Bill Williams try (which Perofeta duly converted) to give the Blues the halftime lead.

All Blacks[edit]

Perofeta made his international debut for the All Blacks on 27 August 2022 against Argentina at Christchurch for 50 seconds.[6][7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2016 Port Taranaki Bulls Mitre 10 Cup Squad Announced". Taranaki Rugby. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Stephen Perofeta rushed in to play in under-20 final between New Zealand and England". 18 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Baby Blacks unstoppable as they rout England to be crowned U-20 world champs". 18 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Blues beat Reds in Samoa". 2 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Lions slip to disappointing defeat to Blues after stunning Ihaia West try". 7 June 2017.
  6. ^ Powell, Alex (30 August 2022). "Rugby Championship: More to come from Stephen Perofeta despite brief All Blacks debut, says teammate Rieko Ioane". Newshub. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time on Kiwi soil". 1 News. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.

External links[edit]