Eli Oudenryn

Eli Oudenryn

Date of birth	(2005-11-05) 5 November 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth	New Zealand
School	Palmerston North Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)	Lee Oudenryn (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Current team Tasman Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2025– Tasman 6 (10) Correct as of 23 August 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2025– New Zealand U20 6 (10) Correct as of 23 August 2025

Eli M. Oudentyn (born 5 November 2005) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC. ^[1] His position is hooker. He is the son of former rugby league player Lee Oudenryn.

Career

Oudenryn attended Palmerston North Boys' High School and was part of their First XV for three seasons where the side made the National Top Four in 2023, a first for Palmerston North since 2005. He was also selected for the New Zealand Barbarians the same season. After playing club rugby for Stoke in the region, he was named in the Tasman development squad for the 2024 Bunnings NPC and later made his debut for the side in Round 7, coming off the bench in a 25–27 win for the Mako. ^{[2] [3]} He played a further 2 games for Tasman during the 2024 season against Otago and Taranaki. In March 2025, Oudenryn was part of the Crusaders side that played in the Super Rugby Under 20 tournament held in Taupō. He scored a try as the Crusaders became the first team to successfully defend the title after a 41-36 extra-time victory over the Chiefs in the final. Oudenryn became the first hooker to win the prestigious DJ Graham Medal as player of the tournament. ^[4] Only a few months later he was named in the New Zealand Under 20 squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy. ^[5] New Zealand made the final before losing 15–23 to South Africa. After his success at under 20 level Oudenryn was upgraded to a full contract for Tasman ahead of the 2025 Bunnings NPC. ^[6]

References

1. "ELi Oudenryn". rugbydatabase.co.nz. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
2. "2024 Tasman Mako NPC Squad". facebook.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
3. "Bunnings NPC Round 7: Team Lists". Bunnings NPC. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
4. "Four of the best performers from Super Rugby Pacific round six". rugbypass.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
5. "New Zealand squad named for World Rugby Under 20 Championship". nzrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
6. "Congratulations to Former PNBHS Rugby player Eli Oudenryn who has been upgraded to a full NPC contract with Tasman for 2025". facebook.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.