Stephen Perofeta

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Stephen Perofeta

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|03|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Whanganui, New Zealand

| height = {{convert|1.81|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|85|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Whanganui Collegiate School

| university =

| relatives =

| position = First five-eighth, Fullback

| currentclub = Taranaki, Blues

| years1 = 2015

| clubs1 = Whanganui

| apps1 = 7

| points1 = 47

| years2 = 2016–

| clubs2 = Taranaki

| apps2 = 65

| points2 = 342

| years3 = 2017–

| clubs3 = Blues

| apps3 = 67

| points3 = 357

| repyears1 = 2015

| repteam1 = Heartland XV

| repcaps1 = 3

| reppoints1 = 58

| repyears2 = 2016–2017

| repteam2 = New Zealand U20

| repcaps2 = 8

| reppoints2 = 18

| repyears3 = 2022–

| repteam3 = New Zealand

| repcaps3 = 6

| reppoints3 = 0

| clubupdate = 5 November 2024

| repupdate = 5 November 2024

}}

Stephen Perofeta (born 12 March 1997) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a First five‐eighth or Fullback for the Blues in Super Rugby and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC.

Club career

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.{{Cite web|url=http://theblues.co.nz/blues-hang-beat-reds-samoa/|title = Blues beat Reds in Samoa|date = 2 June 2017}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/07/lions-defeat-blues-match-report-new-zealand-rugby-union|title = Lions slip to disappointing defeat to Blues after stunning Ihaia West try|date = 7 June 2017}} 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.

International career

File:Stephen Perofeta attempting penalty goal against the British and Irish Lions.jpg

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/93805487/stephen-perofeta-rushed-in-to-play-in-under20-final-between-new-zealand-and-england|title=Stephen Perofeta rushed in to play in under-20 final between New Zealand and England|date=18 June 2017}} He started the final, and kicked seven conversions as New Zealand convincingly beat England 64–17 to win the tournament.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/93816429/baby-blacks-thrash-england-in-world-rugby-under20-championship-final|title = Baby Blacks unstoppable as they rout England to be crowned U-20 world champs|date = 18 June 2017}}

Perofeta made his international debut for the All Blacks on 27 August 2022 against Argentina in Christchurch in the final minute of the game.{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Alex |date=2022-08-30 |title=Rugby Championship: More to come from Stephen Perofeta despite brief All Blacks debut, says teammate Rieko Ioane |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/08/rugby-championship-more-to-come-from-stephen-perofeta-despite-brief-all-blacks-debut-says-teammate-rieko-ioane.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830005111/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/08/rugby-championship-more-to-come-from-stephen-perofeta-despite-brief-all-blacks-debut-says-teammate-rieko-ioane.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-30}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-27 |title=Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time on Kiwi soil |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/27/argentina-beat-the-all-blacks-for-the-first-time-on-kiwi-soil/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=1 News |language=en}}

References

External links

{{sport links}}
{{All Blacks|id=1206|name=Stephen Perofeta}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Taranaki rugby union players

Category:Rugby union fly-halves

Category:Rugby union fullbacks

Category:Moana Pasifika players

Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent

Category:Blues (Super Rugby) players

Category:New Zealand rugby union players

Category:Rugby union players from Whanganui

Category:New Zealand international rugby union players

Category:People educated at Whanganui Collegiate School

Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen