Top New Zealand rugby players to play in the National League
Overseas players have historically been a part of domestic rugby, at all levels, often providing valuable experience and boosting crowd numbers.
There are other, less obvious benefits to drafting in an overseas star, however, as players from different parts of the world raised in different rugby cultures can provide useful new perspectives and ideas that enrich the domestic game.
Some of the top overseas players, particularly from nations such as New Zealand that are steeped in rugby culture, can provide the additional edge that turns contenders into champions and ordinary teams into contenders. This is why rugby bettors pay close attention to such transfers in both codes, whether they are betting on the winner of the Premiership or the weekend’s rugby league matches.
The withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, along with ongoing concerns about ensuring domestic players have sufficient opportunities to gain game experience, has meant that the rules governing foreign-born players have been in flux in recent years. Despite this, the contribution of overseas players to English rugby has been significant and positive.
Of all the nations in the rugby family, New Zealand has the strongest reputation, and it is no surprise to learn that New Zealand players have been in demand throughout English rugby. Here is a look at some of the best New Zealanders to feature in the National League’s history.
John Gallagher
One of the greatest fullbacks and All Blacks of all time, John Gallagher could easily have ended up playing for Ireland or England. Born in Lewisham, South London, to Irish parents, he learned the game at St Joseph’s Academy in Blackheath, which is where he would later conclude his playing career.
Early on, however, the southern hemisphere beckoned. He moved to New Zealand in the early 1980s and earned a place on the Wellington team that won the Provincial Championship in 1986, subsequently qualifying to play for the All Blacks after earning his New Zealand residency.
Although he started out as a center, his career really took off when he made the switch to fullback. Making his All Black debut against France, he was a key player in New Zealand’s success at the inaugural World Cup in 1987. In 1990, he earned the honor of being named International Rugby Player of the Year and holds the distinction of never losing a game with the All Blacks.
Gallagher was one of several New Zealand players who switched to rugby league in 1990 and subsequently played for Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He later returned to the UK and appeared for Leeds and London Crusaders, now known as London Broncos. During the 1990s, his career came full circle as he appeared for National League team Blackheath, playing semi-professionally while taking up teaching and coaching.
Jack Turley
Currently flying the flag for New Zealand in the National League, Jack Turley has been part of the Fylde playing staff since 2016.
Turley was raised in Auckland and showed early promise, appearing for the New Zealand Schools Select team before moving to Scotland in 2012, where he quickly caught the attention of talent scouts while playing semi-professionally for Heriots. He earned a call-up to the Edinburgh Rugby A team in 2014 and subsequently joined the Edinburgh Pro 12 team.
After captaining Heriots to the Scottish Clubs Championship, he moved south to join National League club Fylde in 2016, where he made 25 appearances before returning to New Zealand.
Quentin King
Another noteworthy Fylde player from New Zealand is Quentin King. The openside flanker joined the club in the 2004-05 season after playing for Silverdale United RFC on the North Island of New Zealand, a club that has had a beneficial two-way relationship with Fylde over the years.
A mobile and technically strong 6’2” back row, King made an immediate impact at Fylde, bringing dynamism and competitiveness to the field. He went on to make 47 appearances during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, helping the club finish fourth in his first season.
David Maea
Born in Samoa, David Maea played most of his career in rugby league and formed a strong connection with Yorkshire throughout this time.
After playing for Papanui Tigers, he made his debut for Canterbury at the age of 20 in 1992, where he was considered a bright prospect at the national level. He made the Kiwi Colts team and took part in the New Zealand National Trials, but he never went on to play for his country at the senior level.
After playing representative rugby for Canterbury for a couple of seasons, the powerful center was part of the Canterbury Country Cardinals team that took part in the first Lion Red Cup. His performances caught the attention of English rugby league scouts. He played 29 games for Hull FC in Super League and also appeared for Bramley, Featherstone Rovers and Doncaster.
Toward the end of his career, he returned to Hull but switched codes, playing for Hull RUFC — currently in National League Two North — before taking up a role as the backs coach at the club, working with his former Hull RUFC teammate and Tongan rugby league great Tevita Vaikona.