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Sam Gilbert (rugby union)

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Sam Gilbert
Born (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 (age 27)
Whangārei, Northland, New Zealand
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb)
SchoolSt. Andrew's College
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth, Wing, Fullback
Current team Connacht
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Canterbury 6 (25)
2020–2025 Highlanders 57 (329)
2021–2025 Otago 30 (83)
2025– Connacht 12 (105)
Correct as of 24 March 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 New Zealand U20 1 (5)
2023 All Blacks XV 2 (0)
Correct as of 15 July 2023

Sam Gilbert (born 21 January 1999)[1] is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays primarily as a fullback and centre. Since 2025, Gilbert has played for Irish club Connacht in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Career

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Highlanders

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In 2020 Gilbert made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders[2][3][4] in the first round of the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Chiefs. Gilbert started on the right-wing. The Highlanders won 28–27.[5]

In 2021, Gilbert earned more match-time with the Highlanders and became a mainstay for Otago during their 2021 campaign, which saw them reach the NPC Championship Grand Final. In 2022 Gilbert became a first-team outside back for the Highlanders, playing twelve of their fifteen season games.[6] In Round 14 of the season, Gilbert, playing at first five-eighth for the Highlanders against the Waratahs, performed a "tip tackle" on opposing player Michael Hooper, who subsequently landed on his neck.[7] Gilbert was given a red card and later received a five game suspension.[8] The Highlanders went on to play another two matches in the season without Gilbert (Round 15, Quarter-finals).[6]

In 2023, similar to 2022, Gibert was deployed across multiple positions in the backline.[6] Having already played on the wings, at fullback, and as first five-eighth, Gilbert was moved to inside centre (initially in pre-season)[9] beginning in Round 10 of the season. It was the 2023 season that Gilbert became the team's primary goal-kicker. Gilbert, overall, kicked 33 conversions and 12 penalty goals for the Highlanders.[6]

2024 saw Gilbert's scoreboard presence heavily reduced from inside centre, with the introduction of Cam Millar at first five-eighth taking over goal-kicking duties toward the latter-half of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.[10] 2024 was Gilbert's most consistent season at the Highlanders since debuting in 2020.[6] Being promoted to vice-captain ahead of the season,[11][AI-retrieved source] he started in 11 of their 15 fixtures, and played in 14 overall.[6]

Gilbert was returned as the primary goal-kicker for the Highlanders in 2025,[6] as well as the fullback and wing positions. In a poor season for the team, Gilbert scored 5 tries, 14 conversions and 12 penalty goals, and overall finished with 89 points,[6] or fifth on the seasonal stats sheet.[12]

Connacht

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In May 2025, it was announced that Gilbert had signed for Irish club Connacht in the United Rugby Championship (URC).[13][14] His term with the team began in the 2025–26 season following Gilbert's obligations with Otago.[13][14]

International career

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Gilbert was selected in a New Zealand U20s development camp held in Palmerston North alongside 49 players in preparation for their 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship campaign.[15] Gilbert was selected in New Zealand U20s squad for their match against Fiji U20 in the 2019 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship.[16] Gilbert, starting on the left-wing, scored one try in a 53–7 victory.[16]

Gilbert was called-up to the All Blacks XV for their tour of Japan as part of 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches.[17] In the teams first of two fixtures, Gilbert came off the bench against a Japan XV team,[18] replacing Jack Goodhue in the 67th minute. The All Blacks XV won 6–38.[19] In the second fixture in Japan, Gilbert replaced fullback Ruben Love in the 59th minute. The All Blacks XV won against Japan 27–41.[20]

Player profile

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Gilbert is credited with his versatility skills and rugby intelligence, making him a valuable asset on the field. Known primarily for his role as a fullback with kicking duties, Gilbert has also demonstrated strong capability at inside centre, wing, and increasingly, at "out-half".[13][21] His rugby journey began with Canterbury, where he was primarily deployed as a first-five eighth, giving him a foundational understanding of game management and tactical kicking. Over the past two seasons (2024, 2025) with the Highlanders, Gilbert cemented his reputation as a dependable "everyman" across the backline, seamlessly filling in at various positions when needed.[14]

References

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  1. ↑ "Sam Gilbert". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  2. ↑ "TEAM PREVIEW: The Highlanders". Super Rugby NZ. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "Rugby: Five Bay of Plenty rugby players about to start New Zealand Under 20s 2019 campaign". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "Sam Gilbert". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  5. ↑ van Royen, Robert (11 June 2020). "Recap: Highlanders pip Chiefs 28–27 in Super Rugby thriller in Dunedin". Stuff. Stuff Ltd.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Sam Gilbert: Stats – All.Rugby". all.rugby. All Rugby.
  7. ↑ Cully, Paul (22 May 2022). "Highlanders self-destruct in 32–20 loss to Waratahs after Sam Gilbert red card". Stuff. Stuff Ltd.
  8. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (25 May 2022). "Sam Gilbert handed season-ending ban for ugly Hooper tackle". Rugby.com.au.
  9. ↑ Roxburgh, Tracey (18 February 2023). "Highlanders don't disappoint in Queenstown". Otago Daily Times.
  10. ↑ Cully, Paul (18 March 2023). "Super Rugby: Door opens for new No 10 Cam Millar as injuries decimate Highlanders". Stuff. Stuff Ltd.
  11. ↑ "Harmon To Lead Highlanders In 2024". thehighlanders.co.nz. Highlanders. 7 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "Super Rugby Stats – Super Rugby Pacific". super.rugby. SANZAAR.
  13. 1 2 3 Kelly, David (9 May 2025). "Connacht sign one-time All Black hopeful Sam Gilbert as uncertainty surrounds Puma star Santiago Cordero". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 Meikle, Hayden (10 May 2025). "Gilbert to join Connacht at end of NPC season". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Black jersey beckons for Under 20 talent". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 30 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019.
  16. 1 2 "New Zealand U20 v Fiji U20 | Oceania U20 Championship 2019". world.rugby. World Rugby.
  17. ↑ "All Blacks XV squad named for Japan tour". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 18 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "All Blacks XV team named for first clash against Japan XV". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 6 July 2023.
  19. ↑ Reive, Christopher (8 July 2023). "All Blacks XV v Japan XV: Leon MacDonald's side cruise to comfortable win". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
  20. ↑ "All Blacks XV finish Japan tour unbeaten". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 17 July 2023.
  21. ↑ Cully, Paul (21 May 2022). "New Highlanders No 10 Sam Gilbert could make switch permanent, says Tony Brown". Stuff. Stuff Ltd.
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