Tiaan Falcon

Falcon was born in Penrith, where his father – former New Zealand Māori, {{rut|Hurricanes}} and {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} loose forward Gordon Falcon – played rugby league for the Penrith Panthers. With his family, he moved to New Zealand when he was two years old.{{cite press release | url=http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/496-jacobson-and-falcon | title=Gallagher Chiefs sign rising stars Luke Jacobson and Tiaan Falcon | work=Chiefs | date=4 August 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810054728/http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/496-jacobson-and-falcon | archive-date=10 August 2017 | df=dmy-all}}

In Hawke's Bay, Falcon attended Lindisfarne College from 2011-2015. While there, he played for the school's 1st XV team. He also represented Hawke's Bay at under 14, under 16 and under 18 level.{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/tiaan-falcon-keeps-alive-rich-family-tradition/LIIKASBNQGVGFNSGKKF44IUIL4/ | title=Tiaan Falcon keeps alive rich family tradition | work=Hawke's Bay Today | date=5 August 2016 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

In 2014 and 2015, Falcon was invited to attend the {{rut|Hurricanes}} U18 Camp.{{cite press release | url=http://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/2014/06/23/u18s-set-challenging-camp | title=U18s set for challenging camp | work=Hurricanes | date=25 June 2014 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701201723/http://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/2014/06/23/u18s-set-challenging-camp | archive-date=1 July 2014 | df=dmy-all}}{{cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/top-u18-players-selected-for-development-camp/ | title=Top U18 players selected for development camp | work=Hurricanes | date=18 June 2015 | access-date=31 March 2022}} In his second year, he played for the Hurricanes U18 team in their annual game against the {{rut|Crusaders}} U18 team.{{cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/canes-u18-team-named-for-crusaders-clash/ | title=Canes U18 team named for Crusaders clash | work=Hurricanes | date=11 July 2015 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

On 19 September 2015, Falcon played for the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team in a match against New Zealand Schools.{{cite press release | url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/nz-schools-and-barbarians-schools-teams-named/ | title=NZ Schools and Barbarians Schools teams named | website=allblacks.com | date=18 September 2015 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910083543/https://www.allblacks.com/news/nz-schools-and-barbarians-schools-teams-named/ | archive-date=10 September 2020 | df=dmy-all}}

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather – former New Zealand Māori, {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} and {{rut|East Coast}} loose forward – Ray Falcon (40 games for Hawke's Bay, 1980-1983){{cite web | url=https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/raymond-noble-falcon | title=Ray Falcon NZ Rugby History profile | work=NZ Rugby History | access-date=31 March 2022}} and father Gordon Falcon (71 appearances for Hawke's Bay, 1989-1998),{{cite web | url=https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/gordon-j-falcon | title=Gordon Falcon NZ Rugby History profile | work=NZ Rugby History | access-date=31 March 2022}} Tiaan became the third generation Falcon to play for the Hawke's Bay Magpies in 2016.{{cite press release | url=https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/37852 | title=Magpies 2016 squad named | work=Hawke's Bay Rugby Union | date=9 August 2016 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

Falcon made his Hawke's Bay debut on 20 August 2016 – from the reserves bench – against {{rut|Wellington}}.{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-magpies-to-emulate-canes-brotherhood/KPCQXZTLWFQINRCV3ADL5F2EHU/ | title=Rugby: Magpies to emulate Canes brotherhood | work=Hawke's Bay Today | date=20 August 2016 | access-date=31 March 2022}} He got his first start for the Magpies, in the 12 jersey, on 7 September 2016 against {{rut|Auckland}}{{cite news | url=http://www.mitre10cup.co.nz/News/29728/preview-hawkes-bay-v-auckland | title=PREVIEW: Hawke's Bay v Auckland | website=mitre10cup.co.nz | date=5 September 2016 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009095448/http://www.mitre10cup.co.nz/News/29728/preview-hawkes-bay-v-auckland | archive-date=9 October 2016 | df=dmy-all}} and scored his first try for the province against {{rut|Southland}} on 19 August 2017.{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-magpies-open-season-with-victory/KTPP5URDIV2X5APC52UU7EM2O4/ | title=Rugby: Magpies open season with victory | work=Hawke's Bay Today | date=19 August 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

Falcon played for the Hurricanes U20 team{{cite news | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/falcon-the-hero-as-young-hurricanes-beat-argentina-u20-33-31-at-westpac-stadium/ | title=Falcon the hero as young Hurricanes beat Argentina u20 33-31 at Westpac stadium | work=Hurricanes | date=17 March 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022}} and Hurricanes senior team (during preseason) in 2017,{{cite press release | url=http://www.hurricanes.co.nz/the-canes/news/single/item/jordie-barrett-to-share-fullback-duties-with-nehe-milner-skudder/ | title=Jordie Barrett to share fullback duties with Nehe Milner-Skudder | work=Hurricanes | date=2 February 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205030858/http://www.hurricanes.co.nz/the-canes/news/single/item/jordie-barrett-to-share-fullback-duties-with-nehe-milner-skudder/ | archive-date=5 February 2017 | df=dmy-all}} before eventually signing a 2-year contract with the {{rut|Chiefs}} ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season, at the back of an outstanding performance for the New Zealand U20 team during the 2017 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

Falcon made his first appearance for the Chiefs during the 2018 Brisbane Global Rugby Tens on 9 and 10 February 2018.{{cite press release | url=http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/530-gallagher-chiefs-squad-named-for-title-defence-at-brisbane-global-rugby-tens | title=Gallagher Chiefs Squad named for title defence at Brisbane Global Rugby Tens | work=Chiefs | date=6 February 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206000406/http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/530-gallagher-chiefs-squad-named-for-title-defence-at-brisbane-global-rugby-tens | archive-date=6 February 2018 | df=dmy-all}} A surprisingly early Super Rugby starting debut followed on 2 March 2018 in the game against the {{rut|Blues}} in Auckland, when starting fullback Shaun Stevenson got injured during the warm-up and Falcon was promoted from the reserves bench to the starting line-up, ten minutes before kick-off. Despite wearing Stevenson's 15 jersey, Falcon started the game at first five-eighth, with Damian McKenzie shifting to fullback. In the Chiefs' next game, two weeks later, against the {{rut|Bulls}} in Hamilton, he again started at 10.{{cite news | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/102390172/laidback-chiefs-first-fiveeighth-tiaan-falcon-loving-the-buzz-super-rugby | title=Laid-back Chiefs first five-eighth Tiaan Falcon loving the Super Rugby 'buzz' | work=Stuff NZ | date=21 March 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

Unfortunately, not long after that game, Falcon injured his hand{{cite news | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/103482630/another-seasonending-injury-for-chiefs-ahead-of-facing-inform-jaguares | title=Another season-ending injury for Chiefs ahead of facing in-form Jaguares | work=Stuff NZ | date=30 April 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022}} and didn't play until the Chiefs' final game of the regular season against the {{rut|Hurricanes}}, on 13 July 2018, in which he only got two minutes of game time off the bench.{{cite news | url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-new-zealand-herald/20180712/282316795802890 | title=Chiefs rest key players for match with Canes | work=The New Zealand Herald | url-access=registration | date=12 July 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2018&match=518191 | title=Match centre: Chiefs v Hurricanes | work=SANZAAR | date=13 July 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022}} He returned to play for {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} during the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season,{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-players-to-watch-this-mitre-10-cup-season/3IZCXKBBTIGEQWDVJVRHMX5KQA/ | title=Rugby: Players to watch this Mitre 10 Cup season | work=The New Zealand Herald | date=10 August 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022}} but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during their round 5 game against {{rut|Waikato}} on 13 September 2018.{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-lincoln-mcclutchie-has-hard-acts-to-follow-in-magpies-debut/HWA4MSINF5MN4HTJFXM5CZ6U3M/ | title=Rugby: Lincoln McClutchie has hard acts to follow in Magpies debut | work=Hawke's Bay Today | date=22 September 2018 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

During the 2019 Super Rugby season, Falcon didn't fare any better on the injury front. He ruptured his Achilles tendon in January and had a major shoulder operation in April, that year. As a result, he didn't play a single game for the Chiefs that season.{{cite news | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chief-tiaan-falcon-puts-injury-time-to-good-use | title=Tiaan Falcon puts injury time to good use | work=Chiefs | date=12 August 2019 | access-date=31 March 2022}} He made his return for Hawke's Bay against {{rut|Counties Manukau}} on 3 October 2019 in round 9 of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-falcon-returns-for-magpies-ahead-of-schedule/N6ICXTDGYULZXL2PWDODSPPKOI/ | title=Rugby: Falcon returns for Magpies ahead of schedule | work=Hawke's Bay Today | date=2 October 2019 | access-date=31 March 2022}} He also represented Hawke's Bay at the Central Regional Sevens tournament in Levin and the New Zealand National Rugby Sevens Tournament, later that year.{{cite news | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/sevens-hawkes-bay-men-third-tuis-runners-up-at-central-region-in-levin/K3COZFJJQRAU75CEGF6M6MLVHI/ | title=Sevens: Hawke's Bay men third, Tuis runners-up at Central Region in Levin | work=Hawke's Bay Today | url-access=subscription | date=2 December 2019 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

Falcon returned for a third year with the Chiefs in 2020,{{cite press release | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/2020-gallagher-chiefs-squad-announced | title=2020 Gallagher Chiefs squad announced | work=Chiefs | date=12 November 2019 | access-date=31 March 2022}} but played only one Super Rugby game that season; a 15-minute spell off the bench against the {{rut|Sunwolves}} on 15 February 2020 in Tokyo.{{cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2020&match=520033 | title=Match centre: Sunwolves v Chiefs | work=SANZAAR | date=15 February 2020 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

On 20 August 2020, the Chiefs announced that Falcon would be leaving the franchise to take up a 2-year contract with Japan Rugby League One club Toyota Verblitz.{{cite press release | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-bid-sayonara-to-Allardice-and-Falcon | title=Gallagher Chiefs bid sayonara to Allardice and Falcon | website=www.chiefs.co.nz | date=20 August 2020 | access-date=3 April 2021}} The Japanese club confirmed the signing on 5 October 2020.{{cite press release | url=https://sports.gazoo.com/verblitz/news/2020/10/007685.html | title=【お知らせ】新入団選手のお知らせ | work=Toyota Verblitz | date=5 October 2020 | language=Japanese | access-date=31 March 2022}} He would not play for {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} during the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season.{{cite press release | url=https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/94318 | title=Allardice and Falcon Heading to Japan | work=Hawke's Bay Rugby Union | date=20 August 2020 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

Falcon made his debut for Toyota Verblitz on 13 March 2021 against Munakata Sanix Blues. He scored two tries and seven conversions{{Snds}}a total of 24 points{{Snd}} in his debut game.{{cite web | url=https://www.top-league.jp/player/profile/324421/ | title=ティアーン・ファルコン [2020–2021シーズン] | trans-title=Tiaan Falcon Player Profile [2020–2021 season] | website=top-league.jp | language=Japanese | access-date=17 February 2025}} Unfortunately, he only played two games for the club, that season. The competition was cancelled after round 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite press release | url=http://en.rugby-japan.jp/2020/03/23/japan-rugby-top-league-2002-notice-of-cancellation/ | title=Japan Rugby Top League 2020 Notice of Cancellation | website=Japan Rugby Top League | language=en | date=23 March 2020| access-date=31 March 2022}}

On 5 June 2021, it was announced that Falcon had renegotiated a release from his Japanese contract to play for {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} during the 2021 Bunnings NPC season before returning to Japan – in September 2021 – to rejoin Toyota Verblitz for the 2022 Japan Rugby League One season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/tiaan-falcon-swoops-to-rejoin-hawkes-bay-magpies/TU7IOKWIO6QPCU7HM7LNGO6SSE/|title=Tiaan Falcon swoops to rejoin Hawke's Bay Magpies|work=Hawke's Bay Today |date=5 June 2021|access-date=7 July 2021}} He played six games for the Magpies in 2021, including a thriller Ranfurly Shield defence against {{rut|Bay of Plenty}}, in which he scored a penalty to tie the game at 33-33, before kicking the match-winning penalty in golden point extra time.{{cite news | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/126377241/npc-hawkes-bay-retain-ranfurly-shield-in-historic-goldenpoint-thriller | title=NPC: Hawke's Bay retain Ranfurly Shield in historic golden-point thriller | work=Stuff NZ | date=19 September 2021 | access-date=31 March 2022}}

In April 2017, Falcon was named in the New Zealand Under-20 squad for the 2017 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship, which that year consisted of tests against Australia, Fiji and Samoa.{{cite press release | url=http://www.allblacks.com/News/30648/final-squad-for-oceania-u20-tournament-named | title=Final squad for Oceania U20 tournament named | website=allblacks.com | language=en | date=18 April 2017 | access-date=30 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419064100/http://www.allblacks.com/News/30648/final-squad-for-oceania-u20-tournament-named | archive-date=19 April 2017 | df=dmy-all}} He played in all three games and New Zealand retained the Oceania title.{{cite web | url=http://allblacks.com/News/30745/nz-under-20s-retain-oceania-title | title=NZ Under 20's retain Oceania title | website=allblacks.com | language=en | date=7 May 2017 | access-date=7 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508111415/http://allblacks.com/News/30745/nz-under-20s-retain-oceania-title | archive-date=8 May 2017| df=dmy-all }}

On 8 May 2017, Falcon was also named in the New Zealand Under-20 squad for the 2017 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Georgia.{{cite press release | url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/nz-under-20s-named-for-rugby-world-championship | title=NZ Under 20's named for Rugby World Championship | website=allblacks.com | language=en | date=8 May 2017 | access-date=7 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222071133/https://www.allblacks.com/news/nz-under-20s-named-for-rugby-world-championship | archive-date=22 December 2020 | df=dmy-all }} He was a standout for New Zealand at the tournament, drawing worldwide attention with a brilliant behind-the-back pass to team mate Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, who put Caleb Clarke over for a try in the semi-final against France.{{cite press release | url=http://allblacks.com/News/30959/nz-make-under-20s-final-in-georgia | title=NZ make Under-20s final in Georgia | website=allblacks.com | date=14 June 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618061320/http://allblacks.com/News/30959/nz-make-under-20s-final-in-georgia | archive-date=18 June 2017 | df=dmy-all}} Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion later in that game and was ruled out of the final against England.{{cite press release | url=http://allblacks.com/News/30986/new-zealand-under-20-team-named-for-world-championship-final | title=New Zealand Under 20 team named for World Championship final | website=allblacks.com | date=18 June 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622021821/http://allblacks.com/News/30986/new-zealand-under-20-team-named-for-world-championship-final | archive-date=22 June 2017 | df=dmy-all}} New Zealand won that final with a record score of 64 –17 and were crowned World Rugby U20 Champions for the sixth time.{{cite press release | url=http://allblacks.com/News/30987/under-20s-triumph-in-record-win-over-england | title=Under-20s triumph in record win over England | website=allblacks.com | date=19 June 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621111142/http://allblacks.com/News/30987/under-20s-triumph-in-record-win-over-england | archive-date=21 June 2017 | df=dmy-all}} Falcon was the top scorer of the tournament with 69 points and was one of the players nominated for player of the tournament.{{cite web | url=https://www.world.rugby/news/302845 | title=2017 in Review: The U20 Championship and U20 Trophy | work=World Rugby | date=20 December 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330120404/https://www.world.rugby/news/302845 | archive-date=30 March 2022}}{{cite news | url=https://www.world.rugby/u20/news/258238/nominees-announced-for-player-of-the-tournament | title=Nominees announced for Player of the Tournament | work=World Rugby | date=17 June 2017 | access-date=31 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171508/https://www.world.rugby/u20/news/258238/nominees-announced-for-player-of-the-tournament | archive-date=31 March 2022}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{ItsRugby|38382}}

{{Toyota Verblitz squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Falcon, Tiaan}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Ngāti Porou people

Category:Ngāti Kahungunu people

Category:People educated at Lindisfarne College, New Zealand

Category:New Zealand rugby union players

Category:Rugby union players from Sydney

Category:New Zealand Māori rugby union players

Category:Rugby union fly-halves

Category:Rugby union fullbacks

Category:Hawke's Bay rugby union players

Category:Chiefs (Super Rugby) players

Category:Toyota Verblitz players

Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in Japan