Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 2, 2026

Cooper Flanders

Cooper Flanders is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay. His preferred position is flanker or number 8.

Last revised
Aug 2, 2026
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Cooper Flanders
Born (2003-08-31) 31 August 2003
Hastings, New Zealand
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb)
SchoolHastings Boys' High School
Notable relativeDevan Flanders (brother)
Rugby union career
Position Flanker / Number 8
Current team Hurricanes, Hawke's Bay
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024– Hawke's Bay 17 (10)
2026– Hurricanes 1 (0)
Correct as of 20 July 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2023 New Zealand U20 4 (5)
Correct as of 20 July 2026

Cooper Flanders (born 31 August 2003) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay. His preferred position is flanker or number 8.1

Early career

Flanders was born in Hastings and attended Hastings Boys' High School where he played rugby for the first XV, originally as a halfback before converting to loose forward.2 His performances for the school earned him selection for the New Zealand Schools side in 2021.3 After leaving school he joined up with the Hurricanes academy, representing their U18 side in 2021,4 and U20 side in 2022.5 In 2023, he was selected for the New Zealand U20 side.6 He is the brother of fellow Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay player Devan Flanders.7

Professional career

Flanders has represented Hawke's Bay in the National Provincial Championship since 2024, being named in the squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC.8 He was named in the Hurricanes wider training group for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.9 He made his Super Rugby debut for the franchise on 29 May 2026 against the Crusaders, in their final game of the regular season.10

References

References

  1. "Cooper Flanders". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. "'I got sick of passing the ball': Former halfback's journey to New Zealand U20s as a No 8". Rugby Pass. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  3. "Former Hastings 1st XV players crack national rugby teams". NZ Herald. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  4. "Identified U18 talent selected for Hurricanes development camp". Hurricanes. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  5. "Hurrricanes under 20s squad named". Hurricanes. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  6. "New Zealand Under 20 squad named for the World Rugby U20 Championship". NZ Rugby. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. "Rugby: Loosie poised to better brother's feats". NZ Herald. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  8. "Magpies 2025 Bunnings NPC squad confirmed". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  9. "Hurricanes unveil 12-man wider training group for 2026". Hurricanes (Press release). 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  10. "Hurricanes name side to face Crusaders in final regular season match". Hurricanes (Press release). 27 May 2026. Archived from the original on 27 May 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
External links