Steven Bates

{{Short description|New Zealand rugby union footballer (born 1980}}

{{distinguish|Stevan Bates}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Steven Bates

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname = Steven Paul Bates

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|01|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand

| height = {{convert|193|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|110|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Kelston Boys' High School

| university =

| relatives = Michael Bates (brother)

| occupation =

| spouse =

| position = Flanker, Number 8

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2000–2001

| clubs1 = Auckland

| apps1 = 8

| points1 = 0

| years2 = 2002–2007

| clubs2 = Chiefs

| apps2 = 57

| points2 = 35

| years3 = 2002–2007

| clubs3 = Waikato

| apps3 = 75

| points3 = 95

| years4 = 2008–2016

| clubs4 = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| apps4 = 119

| points4 = 290

| repyears1 = 2001

| repteam1 = New Zealand U21

| repcaps1 = 4

| reppoints1 = 0

| repyears2 = 2004

| repteam2 = New Zealand

| repcaps2 = 2

| reppoints2 = 0

| repyears3 = 2005–2006

| repteam3 = Junior All Blacks

| repcaps3 = 7

| reppoints3 = 10

| clubupdate = 28 May 2020

| repupdate = 28 May 2020

}}

Steven Paul Bates (born 16 January 1980 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, whose usual position is at Number 8. He played for Waikato at provincial level and the Chiefs in the Super 14. Bates made the traditional All Blacks route to the top with appearances for New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand U-19 and the U-21s, during this time he played Rugby league and was good enough to be selected for the Warriors U-19s. He played his first test for his nation (v Italy 2004).{{All Blacks|1044|Steven Bates}}

Currently,{{vague|date=July 2025}} Bates resides in Fuchu, Japan, with Top League team Toshiba Brave Lupus under Australian coach Joe Barakat, with other New Zealand players Richard Kahui and David Hill.{{cn|date=July 2025}}