Stephen Perofeta

Stephen Perofeta
Date of birth	12 March 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth	Whanganui, New Zealand
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
School	Whanganui Collegiate School
Rugby union career
Position(s)
Position(s)	First five-eighth, Fullback
Current team	Taranaki, Blues
Senior career
Years	Team
2015	Whanganui
2016–	Taranaki
2017–	Blues
	Correct as of 8 September 2024
International career
Years	Team
2015	Heartland XV
2016–2017	New Zealand U20
2022–	New Zealand
	Correct as of 8 September 2024

Stephen Perofeta (born 12 March 1997) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Super Rugby club Blues and the New Zealand national team.^[1]

Club career

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.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.

International career

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.^[4] He started the final, and kicked seven conversions as New Zealand convincingly beat England 64–17 to win the tournament.^[5]

Perofeta made his international debut for the All Blacks on 27 August 2022 against Argentina at Christchurch for 50 seconds.^[6]^[7]