KURT EKLUND

Position
Hooker

Blues debut
2020 v Chiefs

Blues caps
57

Blues points
85

Born
05/01/92

Height
180cm

Weight
103kg

Province
Bay of Plenty

Kurt Eklund made his debut for Auckland against Southland in 2015. He played a number of Mitre 10 Cup games for the blue and white hoops before a serious knee injury that saw Eklund out of the game for 14 months.

On his return to provincial rugby, Ekland took up an opportunity with Bay of Plenty and is currently the Captain of the Steamers side.

Eklund resembles the old breed of rugby player. A hard-grafting uncompromising hooker who has no fear of putting his body on the line for his team.

The hooker who has a rapper-like nickname of Kurty E uses his 1.80m and 105kg frame as a battering ram in the tight stuff but has no problem showing a turn of pace when needed out wide or on the break.

Eklund made his debut for the Blues against the Chiefs in Round Three of the 2020 Super Rugby season. He scored his first try in Round Six of Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Hurricanes at the Cake Tin.

His form in 2020 saw him selected as the third hooker in the North squad for the revived ‘North vs South’ clash.

Eklund became a fan favourite after his Man of the Match performance against the Chiefs which saw him “Boof” his full Blue Powerade on TV.

2021 saw Eklund cement his place as the Blues preferred starting hooker, following the pre-season retirement of James Parsons. A thirst for work and a nose for the try-line saw him finish as one of runner-up to leading try scorer for the  Blues with six that season.

In 2022 Eklund continued his rise as a hooker of note while also assuming a leadership role within the team. He capped an impressive 2022 season by being named Player of the Year at the end of season awards. The following season was quieter for Eklund with competition in the hooking ranks meaning he shared game time with fellow rake Ricky Riccitelli. The Bunnings NPC season saw Eklund return to some of his top form, scoring tries from lineout mauls and captaining a young Bay of Plenty side all the way to the Quarter Finals. His leadership and rugby nous will be a valuable asset to the Blues in 2024 - here’s to more Blue Powerades!