Stephen Perofeta
Stephen Perofeta (born 12 March 1997) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a fly-half for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup.[1] He is also a member of the Blues Super Rugby squad, making his debut towards the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.
Date of birth | 12 March 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place of birth | Whanganui, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Whanganui Collegiate School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professional career
New Zealand Under 20s
In June 2017, Perofeta was called in as an emergency replacement for the New Zealand Under 20s rugby side at the World Rugby Under 20s World Championship.[2] He started the final, and kicked seven conversions as New Zealand convincingly beat England 64-17 to win the tournament.[3]
Blues 2017 - present
Coming back from injury, Perofeta made his debut as a substitute player against the Queensland Reds in Apia, a match the Blues won 24–19.[4] He scored a try and kicked two conversions, for a total of nine points in his first game. A week later, Perofeta started at first five as the Blues defeated the touring British and Irish Lions at Eden Park 22–16.[5] Perofeta played a key role in the victory, with his beautiful cut-out pass setting up Rieko Ioane for the game's opening try, then his unsuccessful penalty goal attempt lead to a Sonny Bill Williams try (which Perofeta duly converted) to give the Blues the halftime lead.
References
- "2016 Port Taranaki Bulls Mitre 10 Cup Squad Announced". Taranaki Rugby. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/93805487/stephen-perofeta-rushed-in-to-play-in-under20-final-between-new-zealand-and-england
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/93816429/baby-blacks-thrash-england-in-world-rugby-under20-championship-final
- http://theblues.co.nz/blues-hang-beat-reds-samoa/
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/07/lions-defeat-blues-match-report-new-zealand-rugby-union