RNZ looks at the 20 most successful players to leave our shores to play for European nations. Photo: Photosport 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. Check out numbers 20-11 here.
The Top Ten
Bundee Aki on way to scoring against the Maori All Blacks in 2022 and in action for Counties Manukau in 2013. Photo: Photosport
1. Bundee Aki, Ireland, British & Irish Lions.
Tests - 58*.
NZ Highlight - 2013 Super Rugby champion with the Chiefs.
Highest NZ Honour - Chiefs.
Ireland Highlight - Played in every game of the Grand Slam winning side in 2018.
Snapshot - At 18, Aki worked as bank teller to provide for his first child, prior to signing for Counties Manukau in 2011 and winning a Super title two years later with the Chiefs. Was eligible for both New Zealand and Samoa, but took his talents to Ireland which caused a stir in traditional Irish rugby circles In 2014, Aki was recruited to Connacht, the club winning the Pro12 in 2016. Has racked up numerous records in the United Rugby Championship, including most defenders beaten. Became eligible in 2017 on residency, making his debut against the USA. Quickly made his mark, making 17 tackles as Ireland beat South Africa by a record 38-3, he became a colossus of the Irish backline, selected for The British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa in 2021, starting in the third test and was in imperious form at the 2023 World cup, scoring a cracker against the All Blacks in the quarterfinal. Regarded among the best midfielders in the game today, and our greatest Kiwi export to Europe.
Gareth Anscombe playing for Wales in 2018 and Auckland in 2012. Photo: Photosport
2. Gareth Anscombe, Wales.
Tests - 38*.
NZ Highlight - 2013 Super Rugby champion with the Chiefs.
Highest NZ Honour - NZ U20's.
Wales highlight - Kicked 20 points to help Wales beat Ireland 25-7 and win a Grand Slam in 2019.
Snapshot - Another from the sensational Junior All Blacks class of 2011, Anscombe led the Under 20 side to World Cup glory with a tournament high 84 points. Touted as the Blue's saviour at ten, he was soon shunted by the franchise after one year and made his move south to the Chiefs where he featured at fullback in the 2013 title-winning campaign. Qualifying for Welsh residency through his mother, Anscombe joined Cardiff in 2014 and made his international debut in 2015. A central figure in Wales' 2019 Six Nations victory before a serious knee injury put him out of action from 2019 to 2021 and limiting his time at Ospreys. Moved to Japan in 2023 but a groin injury saw him back in Wales just two weeks later. Joined Gloucester this year and rediscovered his form and reclaimed his test jersey.
Jamison Gibson-Park scoring for Ireland in 2024, and in action for the Blues in 2013. Photo: photosport
3. Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland.
Tests - 35*.
NZ Highlight - 2016 Super Rugby champion with the Hurricanes.
Highest NZ Honour - Maori All Blacks.
Ireland Highlight - Back to back Six Nations champions in 2023-24.
Snapshot - Played for New Zealand Secondary Schools before making his Taranaki debut in 2012 and the Hurricanes in a year later. Moved to the Blues in 2015, Gibson-Park never quite racked the top echelon of halfbacks in Aotearoa. Won the NPC with Taranaki in 2014, but with TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith preferred for the All Blacks, in 2016 Gibson-Park moved to Ireland and joined Leinster after winning s Super Rugby title. He became eligible through residency in 2020 and made his debut against Italy that same year. Now regarded among the top nines in the world, he overtook Conor Murray as Ireland's first choice halfback and took part in the historic series win in New Zealand.
Sean Maitland scores for the Scots in 2013 and Canterbury in 2009. Photo: Photosport
4. Sean Maitland, Scotland.
Tests - 54.
NZ Highlight - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 NPC champion with Canterbury.
Highest NZ Honour - Maori All Blacks.
Scotland Highlight - 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-finalist.
Snapshot - First played for Waikato in 2006 while still at Hamilton Boys High, and became a Crusader just two years later. Was part of Canterbury's NPC four-peat but played in an era where the All Blacks had an embarrassment of riches at wing, and qualifying for Scotland through his grandparents, shifted north in 2012 to join the Glasgow Warriors. Won three Premiership titles with Saracens in 2018, 2019 and 2023. Made his test debut in 2013, scoring 15 tries for the Scots, including a double in a shock win over France in 2020 and appearing at both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Went on tour with the British and irish Lions to Australia in 2013. Fell out of national favour due to the rise of Duhan van der Merwe and retired in 2024.
James Lowe scoring for Ireland in 2023 and the Chiefs in 2017. Photo: Photosport
5. James Lowe, Ireland.
Tests - 33*.
NZ Highlight - 2013 ITM Cup Championship winner with Tasman.
Highest NZ Honour - Maori All Blacks.
Ireland Highlight - 2023, 2024 Six Nations champion.
Snapshot - A NZ Schools rep, Lowe won the NPC Championship with the Mako in 2013 and would play for the NZ Maori against the Lions in 2017. Stuck behind Julian Savea, Cory Jane, and Reiko Ioane in the national wingers pecking order, Lowe moved to Leinster in 2017 after making the Super Rugby semi-finals with the Chiefs. Became an Irish resident in 2020 and scored a try on debut that November. Scored a further 15 international tries, including in a win over the All Blacks in 2021. Won two consecutive Pro12 titles with Leinster, played in four Champions Cup finals and won consecutive Six nations titles.
Tony Marsh in the 2002 Six Nations for France and 1998 Super 12 with the Crusaders. Photo: Photosport
6. Tony Marsh, France.
Tests - 21.
NZ Highlight - 1998 Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders.
Highest NZ Honour - Maori All Blacks.
France Highlight - 2002 Six Nations champion,
Snapshot - A 1997 NPC finalist with Counties Manukau, Marsh had Eroni Clarke and Lee Stensess to contend with at the Blues so moved to the Crusaders and beat his old team for the title in 1998. He signed with Clermont in 1998, making the Top 14 final three times. After achieving residency made his French debut in 2001 with his side winning the Grand Slam in 2002. Overcame testicular cancer to appear at the 2003 World Cup where France made the semi-finals.
Ireland's Isaac Boss training in 2013 and in action for Waikato in 2004. Photo: Photosport
7. Isaac Boss, Ireland.
Tests - 22.
NZ Highlight - NZ Highlight - 2002 NPC finalist with Waikato.
Highest NZ Honour - NZ U19's.
Ireland Highlight - Six Nations champion 2014, 2015.
Snapshot- Spent six years with Waikato starting in 1999, Boss also played for the Chiefs and Hurricanes, before Byron Kelleher's move north from Otago saw him sidelined as the first choice halfback. Joined Ulster in 2005, winning the Pro12 in his first year. Qualified through an Irish grandmother to make his debut against the All Blacks in 2006. Backed up Conor Murray in Ireland's consecutive Six Nations wins in 2014 and '15. Bagged a try at the 2011 World Cup, and remains the only player to play over 100 games for two different Irish provinces in Leinster and Ulster.
Rikki Flutey playing for England in 2008 and scoring for the hurricanes in 2003. Photo: Photosport
8. Riki Flutey, England. British & Irish Lions.
Tests - 15.
NZ Highlight - 2000 NPC champion with Wellington.
Highest NZ Honour - Maori All Blacks.
England Highlight - 2009 Six Nations runner up.
Snapshot - Captained New Zealand Schools, and won a world cup with New Zealand U19's. First appeared in division one provincial rugby for Wellington in 1999, and was stuck on the bench in the famous 2000 NPC title win against Canterbury behind David Howell. Played three seasons for the Hurricanes, but with limited opportunities in the capital after Jimmy Gopperth's arrival, Flutey signed for London Irish in 2005. Won a premiership with Wasps in 2008, and qualified for England on residency that same year. played 14 tests for England and one for the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa. Flutey remains the only player to play for both the New Zealand Maori and the Lions. Ended his career in Japan with the Black Rams in 2013.
Shane Howarth, seen here playing for Wales in 1999 and the All Blacks in 1994 was one of the more controversial figures to switch allegiances. Photo: Photosport
9. Shane Howarth, Wales, All Blacks.
Tests - 23.
NZ Highlight - Played in two test win over South Africa in 1994, 1993 and 1994 NPC champion with Auckland.
Highest NZ Honour - All Blacks.
Wales Highlight - 1999 Rugby World Cup quarterfinalist.
Snapshot - Part of Auckland's golden era in the '90s, Howarth won two NPC titles and beat the British and Irish Lions in 1993 with Auckland. Howarth played the first of four tests for the New Zealand in 1994, and was never beaten as an All Black. Unable to crack the formidable Blues' 22 with Adrian Cashmore preferred at 15, while Christian Cullen's rise ended any hope of a national recall. Howarth moved to Newport in 1998 after dabbling in the NRL. Believing to be eligible for Wales through his grandfather, he played 19 tests for Wales, however, questions surrounding Howarth's heritage sparked the 'Granny-gate" scandal, and Howarth was subsequently barred from playing for his adopted nation following an investigation.
Hadleigh Parkes scoring for wales in 2017 and in action for Auckland in the 2013 ITM Cup. Photo: Photosport
10. Hadleigh Parkes, Wales.
Tests - 29.
NZ Highlight - NPC finalist in 2012 with Auckland.
Highest NZ Honour - Blues/Hurricanes.
Wales Highlight - Scored the opening try in Wales' 2019 Grand Slam decider against Ireland.
Snapshot - A true journeyman, Parkes started his rugby path with Manawatu, moving to Auckland in 2011, while also representing the Blues, Hurricanes and Southern Kings in Super Rugby. An NPC finalist in 2012 and semifinalist in 2013-14, unable to land a regular Super Rugby gig, the utility midfielder headed north in 2014 to Scarlets where he played 122 times. Eligible on residency for Wales, Parkes scored a double on debut in a win over the Boks in 2017, and was named man of the match. Claimed a Six Nations Triple Crown in 2019 and scored in Wales' world cup opening win against the Wallabies later that year, playing in every game including the semi-final loss to South Africa. Turned out for the last of his 29 tests in 2020, joining the Japanese Top League where he currently plays for the Black Rams.
