RNZ looks at the 20 most successful players to leave our shores to play for European nations. Photo: Photosport
The New Zealand rugby factory has long been the envy of the world. The nation has inexplicably churned out legend after legend of the game. But not all Kiwi born players make their mark in black.
RNZ looks at the 20 most successful players to leave our shores to play for European nations. In part one we assess numbers 20-11.
Honourable Mentions
Thomas 'the Tank Engine' playing for England in 2012 and the Lions in 2005. Photo: Photosport
Thomas Waldrom, England
Tests: 5
NZ Highlight: 2006 Super 14 finalist with the Hurricanes
Highest NZ Honour: Hurricanes
England Highlight: 2013 Six Nations runner-up
Snapshot: A shot put, discus and hammer throw star in high school, Waldrom was a standout performer for both the Hurricanes and Crusaders and at provincial level where 'the Tank' was also a cult hero in both Wellington and Hawke's Bay. With a plethora of loose forward talent in the All Blacks, Waldrom joined Leicester in 2010 and while awaiting residency, discovered his eligibility for England through his grandmother. Played the first of five tests against the Springboks in 2012. Won the English Premiership twice, in 2013 with Leicester and the Exeter Chiefs in 2017 and the competitions top try-scorer in 2015 and 2016. Unwanted by Eddie Jones, Waldrom ended his playing career back in New Zealand with the Lions.
Brad Shields first played from England in 2018 after several seasons in Wellington. Photo: Photosport Photo: Photosport
Brad Shields, England
Tests: 9
NZ Highlight: 2016 Super Rugby champion with the Hurricanes
Highest NZ Honour: NZ U20's
England Highlight: Scored a double in England's 57-14 win over Italy in 2019
Snapshot: A stalwart of Wellington rugby since his debut at 19, Shields was an age grade rep and junior World Cup winner in 2011. Formed a dynamic loose forward trio with Ardie Savea and Victor Vito as the Hurricanes claimed their first Super Rugby title in 2016. Having played 100 caps for the Hurricanes, including leading the side in a draw against the British and Irish Lions, Shields was yet to sniff an All Blacks jersey, and transferred to London Wasps in 2018. Was immediately eligible for England through his parents and made his debut against South Africa in 2018. Injuries and rising stars saw him fall out of favour after nine tests. Has since returned to Wellington where he won the 2024 NPC with the Lions.
Uilisi (Willis) Halaholo made the move to Wales from Wellington in 2016. Photo: Photosport
20. Uilisi (Willis) Halaholo, Wales
Tests: 10
NZ Highlight: 2016 Super Rugby champion with the Hurricanes
Highest NZ Honour: Hurricanes
Wales Highlight: 2021 Six Nations champion
Snapshot: A junior star for Mt Albert Grammar, Halaholo played for both NZ Schools and Tonga U20's. After standout seasons for the Southland Stags, he was picked up by the Hurricanes in 2015. Replaced Ma'a Nonu in the Hurricane's midfield in 2016 following the legend's retirement and played in the final against the Lions. With SBW still blocking his path to the All Blacks, he transferred to Cardiff, achieving residency and a test debut in 2019. Played in four of the five matches of Wales' 2021 Six Nations title win. Returned to New Zealand and played in the 2023 NPC final with Bay of Plenty.
Blade Thomson for Scotland against Samoa at the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and scoring for Taranaki against Auckland in 2014. Photo: Photosport
19. Blade Thomson, Scotland
Tests: 10
NZ Highlight: 2010 Junior World Cup winner
Highest NZ Honour: Maori All Blacks
Scotland Highlight: Started in the 34-0 win over Samoa at the 2019 World Cup
Snapshot: Won a World Cup with the NZ U20's in 2010, Thomson played for Taranaki and the Hurricanes, but tragically was ruled out of both the 2014 NPC and 2015 Super Rugby finals through injury which both his sides won. Earned six caps for the Maori, winning all but one. With Ardie Savea, Kieran Read and Sam Cane locked as the All Black loosies, the dynamic Thomson joined Scarletts in 2018. Qualified for Scotland through his grandfather, Thomson was promoted to the Scottish squad later that season, though did not make his debut until August 2019 in a 17-14 win over France. He went on to appear in three of the side's four pool games at the 2019 World Cup, his last test a 25-24 loss to Wales in the 2021 Six Nations, following the rise of Jamie Ritchie and Matt Fagerson for Scotland. Head injury forced his retirement at just in 2023.
Willi Heinz first played from England in 2018, after making his debut for Canterbury in 2009. Photo: Photosport
18. Willi Heinz, England
Tests: 13
NZ Highlight: 2023 Super Rugby Pacific champion with the Crusaders
Highest NZ Honour: Crusaders
England Highlight: 2019 World Cup runner up
Snapshot: Heinz played four years in the Burnside High 1st XV before making his Canterbury debut in 2009. With Andy Ellis' stranglehold on the Crusader's number 9 jersey, Heinz moved to England in 2015 after breaking his leg in Super Rugby pre-season, signing with Gloucester where he would go on to play 100 caps. Qualified for England through his grandmother and made his debut as vice captain in August 2019 against Wales. Featured at that year's world cup, missing the final after suffering an injury in the semi-final win over the All Blacks. Retuned to Aotearoa in 2022, playing in the Crusader's 25-20 win over the Chiefs in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific final.
Gordon Simpson scores a try for Scotland against the All Blacks at Carisbrook in 2000. Photo: Photosport
17. Gordon Simpson, Scotland
Tests: 15
NZ Highlight: Beat Australia Colts 20-10 in 1992
Highest NZ Honour: NZ Colts
Scotland Highlight: Scored a try agaisnt the All Blacks at Carisbrook in 2000
Snapshot: Known as 'Badger,' Simpson was a junior rep for New Zealand before starting his senior career with North Harbour and then Wellington, but never played provincial finals footy across seven seasons. A loose forward, he played five games for the Hurricanes in their inaugural season but signed with the Caledonia Reds in 1997, which merged with Glasgow in 1998, playing 95 caps for the club. Qualified for Scotland through his mother and debuted in 1998 against Australia. Scored against Uruguay at the '99 World Cup where Scotland went on to play the quarter-finals, losing to New Zealand. In his 15 tests, Simpson played against the All Blacks three times.
Jayden Hayward in action for Italy in the 2019 Six Nations. and Taranaki in 2011 Photo: Photosport
16. Jayden Hayward, Italy
Tests: 27
NZ Highlight: Scored a record ten consecutive tries in the 2010-2011 NPC
Highest NZ Honour: Hurricanes/Highlanders
Italy Highlight: Played in two wins at the 2019 World Cup
Snapshot - Hayward began his career with Taranaki, winning the Ranfurly Shield in 2011 and played Super Rugby for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Western Force before moving to Italy in 2014 to join Benetton and qualified for Italy through residency. A utility who could play in the centres or at fullback, Hayward made his debut for the Azzurri in 2017 in a win over Fiji and played against the All Blacks the following year.
Brendan 'Chainsaw' Laney was a legend of the '90's Otago side before switching to Scotland in 2001. Photo: Photosport Photo: Photosport
15. Brendan Laney, Scotland
Tests: 20
NZ Highlight: 1998 NPC champion with Otago
Highest NZ Honour: NZ Colts
Scottish Highlight: Scored 11 points in Scotland's 21-6 win over the Springboks in 2002
Snapshot: A key cog in the legendary Otago side of the nineties, 'Chainsaw' bagged 15 tries in the '98 NPC season including in the 49-20 win over Waikato in the final. A fan favourite in the deep south, Laney was never a serious contender for the All Blacks with the likes of Lomu, Cullen and Wilson blocking his path. Played his final game for the Highlanders in 2001 and eligible through the controversial 'granny rule,' Laney was selected for Scotland just two days after leaving Aotearoa, and made his test debut just eleven days later, causing a serious stir. He went on to score 100 points in just nine tests, spending five seasons with Edinburgh.
John Hardie played 15 tests for Scotland after leaving the Highlanders in 2015. Photo: Photosport Photo: Photosport
14. John Hardie, Scotland
Tests: 16
NZ Highlight: 2007 NZ U19 World Champion
Highest NZ Honour: NZ U19's
Scotland Highlight: Scored a try in Scotland's win against Samoa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Snapshot: Hardie played at openside flanker for Southland and the Highlanders, making the Super Rugby quarters in 2014. Injured during the Highlander's successful 2015 campaign, Hardie did not play in the final against the Hurricanes and eligible for Scotland through his grandmother, he joined Edinburgh in 2015 and was fast-tracked into the side for the World Cup. Played his final test in 2017, a loss against Fiji.
John Leslie playing for Scotland in 2002 and makeing a tackle in the 1998 NPC final. Photo: Photosport
13. John Leslie, Scotland
Tests: 23.
NZ Highlight: 1998 NPC champion with Otago
Highest NZ Honour: Highlanders
Scotland Highlight: 1999 Five Nations champion
Snapshot: Another of the Kilted Kiwis contingent, Leslie played 123 games for Otago, scoring a try in the southerner's famous 19-12 win over the Springboks in 1994 and captaining the side to an NPC division one title in 1998. Qualified for Scotland through a grandfather, Leslie played 23 times for the Scots between 1998 and 2002 alongside brother Martin. Scored a try after just ten seconds in a 1999 match against Wales and was part of the last Scottish side to win the Six Nations.
Dean Budd sets off on a run for Italy against the Wallabies in 2017, and in action for Northland in 2010. Photo: Photosport
12. Dean Budd, Italy
Tests: 29
NZ Highlight: Ranfurly Shield holder with Auckland
Highest NZ Honour: Blues
Italy Highlight: Scored a try in Italy's World Cup victory over Canada in 2019
Snapshot: Kicking off his career with Auckland, Budd also played for the Taniwha and made five appearances for the Blues before heading offshore. Initially playing for the Green Rockets in Japan, the lock found his home with Benetton in Italy, qualifying through residency. Debuted against Scotland in 2017 and captained Italy in three tests.
After leaving Northland, Jared Payne played for both Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. Photo: Photosport
11. Jared Payne, Ireland, British and Irish Lions
Tests: 20
NZ Highlight: 2009 and 2010 Super Rugby finalist with the Crusaders
Highest NZ Honour: NZ U21's
Ireland Highlight: Scored a try in Ireland's first ever win in South Africa in 2016
Snapshot: Played at the Junior World Cup in 2006 and started with Waikato that same year. Payne later played for the Crusaders, Chiefs, and Blues in Super Rugby but did not see a path to the All Blacks. Moved to Ulster in 2011, gaining residency and debuting for Ireland in 2014, a 29-15 win over South Africa. Played in Ireland's first-ever win over New Zealand in 2016 and in three tour games for the Lions in 2017. Scored in Ireland's 2015 World Cup win over Canada.
