Sam Gilbert (rugby union)

Sam Gilbert
Date of birth (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999
Place of birthWhangārei, 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, Otago
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Canterbury 6 (25)
2020–2025 Highlanders 57 (329)
2021–2025 Otago 30 (83)
2025– Connacht 0 (0)
Correct as of 10 August 2025
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

Highlanders

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] 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

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

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

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

  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. ^ a b c d e f g h "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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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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