STEPHEN PEROFETA

Position
First five-eighth

Blues debut
2017 v Reds

Blues caps
62(SR 61)

Blues points
349

Born
12/03/97

Height
181cm

Weight
85kg

Province
Taranaki

Stephen played First-Class rugby for Wanganui while still a student at Wanganui Collegiate, scoring more than 100 points in 2015 to be a finalist for the Heartland Player of the Year. He graduated to selection for the Heartland XV the same year, scoring 58 points in three games.

He moved to Taranaki in 2016 and was selected for the New Zealand Under-20 side where he finished the tournament as the starting First-Five.

With Otere Black sidelined for the season, Stephen was thrust into the pressure of the starting First-Five for most of the year which was a massive challenge for a 21-year-old. However he answered that challenge as he worked into the key role, with a natural flare and undoubted speed and elusiveness.

Stephen debuted for the Blues against the Reds in 2017 and shortly after found himself in the driver’s seat against the British and Irish Lions. That same year Stephen went on his second Under-20s campaign for New Zealand.

2018 saw Stephen feature 14 times for the Blues at First Five-Eighth as well as Fullback. A pre-season injury in early 2019 meant Perofeta missed the entire Super Rugby campaign. A return from injury at the beginning of 2020 saw Stephen showing flashes of his exciting potential, with smart attacking play and option taking at both First-Five and Fullback.

2021 saw Perofeta’s star rise further, playing as the first choice Fullback for the duration of the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign. He continued his strong form at both First-Five and Fullback in 2022, with his consistent goal kicking also a feature of his game. Perofeta’s talent was recognised by the All Blacks selectors earning him selection in the winter squads and earning a debut against Argentina. 

Unfortunately for Perofeta, 2023 was a year of niggling injuries keeping him on the sidelines for chunks of the season, not allowing for any consistency. When available, he still showed glimpses of his supreme talent and was rewarded with a spot at First-Five for the All Blacks XV. Alongside fellow Blues team mate, Ricky Riccitelli, he was an influential figure for Taranaki in their Bunnings NPC title victory. Perofeta enters 2024 as a more experienced player and will be looking to stamp his mark on the number 10 jersey with Beauden Barrett departing to Japan.