 Simpson at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (2005-12-24) 24 December 2005 New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 195 cm (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 93 kg (205 lb; 14 st 9 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Sacred Heart College, Auckland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rico Simpson (born 24 December 2005) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Blues and Auckland. His preferred position is first five-eighth.1
Early career
Simpson attended St Mary's Catholic School, Papakura before attending Sacred Heart College, Auckland.23 His performances for the school earned him selection for the New Zealand Schools side in 2022,4 before joining the Blues academy and representing their U20 side.5 Following this he represented the New Zealand U20s in both 2024 and 2025.67
Professional career
Simpson has represented Auckland in the National Provincial Championship since 2024, being named in the squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC.8 He was named in the Blues squad for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.9
References
References
- "Rico Simpson". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- "New Zealand U20s first five Rico Simpson has a habit of beating Australia". Rugby Pass. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- "Schoolboy rugby tears: The emotional day Sacred Heart broke a 58-year curse". NZ Herald. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- "New Zealand Schools beat New Zealand Maori U18s, only just". Club Rugby NZ. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- "Blues U20s squad for 2025". Blues. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- "Spotlight: 2025 World Rugby under 20 Championship". All Blacks. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- "Oli Mathis out, Simpson to start at No.10 for U20 semi-final clash". Rugby Pass. 13 July 2025. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- @aucklandrugby; (21 July 2025). "Ready to Dance in 2025". Retrieved 22 July 2025 – via Instagram.
- "2026 Blues squad announced". Blues (Press release). 6 November 2026. Retrieved 6 November 2025.