All Blacks' Eden Park supersub Quinn Tupaea re-signs through to 2027

Quinn Tupaea will remain in New Zealand for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, confirming his availability for the upcoming Rugby World Cup with a new contract announced Tuesday.

The 18-Test All Black scored a crucial try off the bench for New Zealand in Saturday’s highly anticipated Eden Park win over South Africa, providing big impact on both sides of the ball in his 21 minutes on the park.

The try was the 26-year-old’s third in an All Blacks jersey, but first since a devastating knee injury in 2022, which saw him miss two seasons of international rugby. Tupaea was selected in the All Blacks XV team of 2024, emerging as one of the standouts from the two-match tour, before a barnstorming 2025 Super Rugby season where he made the fifth-most carries and second-most run metres in the competition.

He will remain in Chiefs colours for the duration of his new contract.

“Quinn is a unique player and his resilience, passion and leadership over the past few years has shown the kind of character he is,” said new Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes.

“To see what he’s overcome and return to perform at such a high level speaks to his commitment to the jersey, his team and the community. We’re thrilled to have him re-sign and continue to be a big part of the future.”

Born and raised in Hamilton, Tupaea attended the premier rugby academy that is Hamilton Boys’ High School before making his way through Waikato in the NPC and the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

Staying in Hamilton, around friends and family, was an easy call for the midfield bruiser.

“The motivation to win a title for the Club was big. I had some pretty big conversations with my family and partner. I have a lot of good mates here and I back Jono as a coach, so yeah, pretty happy.”