New Zealand Born England Rugby Players

A rivalry dating back to 1905, England and New Zealand have had many monumental battles over the years. Both teams regularly play each other to this day in the annual Autumn Nations Series and the Rugby World Cup when the draw and results work in their favour.

There have been several England rugby internationals who were born in New Zealand and went on to represent the Red and Whites rather than the All Blacks.

Ahead of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series this November where we will be treated to an England v New Zealand fixture at Twickenham for another edition of this blisteringly anticipated match, we profile the England internationals that were born in New Zealand.

Let’s meet the players

Here are some of the players who have played for England that were born in New Zealand.

 

Riki Flutey: 2008-2011 (14 caps)

Playmaker Flutey arrived in England in 2005 after making a name for himself with Wellington and the Hurricanes. He became an important figure at London Irish and then Wasps and earned an England call up for the 2008 Autumn Nations Series after qualifying on residency grounds. He quickly established himself in the England squad and was selected for the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, becoming the first player ever to play against and for the Lions.

Perry Freshwater: 2005-2007 (10 caps)

Wellingtonian Perry Freshwater qualified for England through his Plaistow-born father. After several appearances for the England Saxons he was called up to the England senior squad for the 2005 Autumn Nations Series, making his debut as a replacement against Samoa. He went on to win 9 more caps spending 9 years playing for French side Perpignan.

Shontayne Hape: 2010-2011 (13 caps)

Rugby league convert Hape started his career at Bradford Bulls before transferring to Bath in 2008. Qualifying for England on residency grounds, Hape was called up to England’s 2010 Six Nations squad but didn’t make his test debut until England’s summer tour to Australia later that year. He made his final appearance for England during the 2011 Rugby World Cup hosted in his native New Zealand.

Teimana Harrison: 2016-2016 (5 caps)

Harrison was scouted by England international Dylan Hartley during the team’s 2011 Rugby World Cup tour in New Zealand, when he visited his old school, where Harrison at the time attended. He joined Northampton Saints in England in 2011 after he graduated school and was called up to Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2016 season, playing in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations and Autumn Nations Series.

Dylan Hartley: 2008-2019 (97 caps)

Born in Rotorua, Dylan Hartley grew up learning his bold style of play before playing permanently for England at age 17, playing for Northampton Saints and England Rugby during his professional career. The hooker became one of the most capped England players of all time.

Willie Heinz: 2019-20 (13 caps)

Christchurch born scrum half made his England debut at the tender of 33 after an impressive run of form for Gloucester. Qualifying for England via his Hampshire born grandmother, Heinz was fast tracked into England’s 31 squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Henry Paul: 2002-2004 (6 caps)

Another rugby league convert, Henry Paul was a high profile signing for when he switched codes to join Gloucester in 2001. Despite being a key figure for the Kiwis in rugby league in the late 1990s, Paul was quickly brought into the England squad in 2002 thanks to his Liverpool born grandfather, in an attempt to make England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He returned to rugby league in 2006 when he joined Harlequins RL.

Ethan Roots: 2024-present (4 caps)

Ethan Roots was born and raised in New Zealand, playing for the Crusaders before signing for Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship in Swansea. Roots was called up to play for the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations squad under Steve Borthwick.

Denny Solomona: 2017 (5 caps)

Auckland born Solomona arrived at Sale Sharks in 2016 after a prolific try scoring record for London Broncos and Castleford Tigers in rugby league. Despite representing Samoa at rugby league, Solomona became English qualified on residency grounds and scored a try on his debut during England’s 2017 tour of Argentina. He made 4 more appearances for England before returning to his native New Zealand, joining the Highlanders in 2022.

Brad Shields: 2018-2019 (9 caps)

Brad signed for Wasps in the 2018/19 season in England after playing in New Zealand for the Hurricanes, then made his England Test debut against South Africa in 2018, totalling 9 caps for England.

Ben Te’o: 2016-2018 (18 caps)

Ben Te’o was born in NZ and played junior rugby there, before moving to Australia play, then onto the UK. Ben made his England Test debut in 2016 when he was called up by Eddie Jones during the Autumn Nations Series.

Mark van Gisbergen: 2005 (1 cap)

Hamilton born van Gisbergen became a key player for Wasps during their successful spell in the 2000s. He was rewarded for his fine club form when he was called up for England’s 2005 Autumn Nations Series match against Australia, coming on a brief replacement for Mark Cueto to win his first cap. Despite being called up for England 2007 Six Nations squad he failed to add to his cap tally.

Mako Vunipola: 2012-2024 (79 caps)

Mako was born in Wellington but raised in Wales, having gained residency from living and being educated in Wales since the age of seven. Making his England team debut in 2012, he became a pivotal player for England and the British and Irish Lions during a stellar career.

Thomas Waldrom: 2012-14 (5 caps)

Known affectionately as “Thomas the Tank” for his trademark barnstorming runs, Waldrom began his career with home-town side Wellington and the Hurricanes. He arrived at Leicester Tigers in 2010 and a year later was made aware of his qualification for England on family grounds. He made his debut on England’s 2012 summer tour to South Africa, but fell from favour when Eddie Jones became head coach in 2015.

 

When are England next playing New Zealand?

The 2024 Autumn Nations Series will see these two sides clash once again, when the All Blacks will return to perform the Haka under the bright lights of Twickenham Stadium.

We’re excited to say that as the Principal Sales Partner to England Rugby Hospitality, we will be welcoming guests to enjoy our exquisite hospitality experiences for this epic fixture. From a lively and informal pre-match party to enjoying a private table with your guests in a luxurious, premium space dining on food delivered by Michelin star chefs, we have something for everyone to make this match even more special.

Just picture, you could be there, one of 82,000 passionate fans, witnessing the Haka unfold under the silence of the stadium for the performance that raises the hairs on the back of everyone’s necks – all whilst enjoying a premium hospitality experience. You really don’t want to miss it. Find out more here.