Joe Royal (rugby union)

Joseph Royal image =

Birth name	Joseph Wirihana Royal
Date of birth	(1985-05-31) 31 May 1985 (age 40)
Place of birth	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	113 kg (249 lb)
School	Te Aute College
University	Auckland University of Technology
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker, Prop Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2013–2016 Bay of Plenty 36 (40) 2017–2019, 2021 Counties Manukau 33 (35) 2020-2023 Auckland 5 (5) 2022-2024 Ngāti Porou East Coast 22 (35) Correct as of 22 November 2022 Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2022-2023 Moana Pasifika 2 (0) Correct as of 22 November 2022 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2013–2016 Māori All Blacks 6 (5) Correct as of 18 July 2017

Joseph Wirihana Royal (born 31 May 1985 in Rotorua, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the hooker (and occasionally prop) position for provincial side Auckland Gulls and for New Zealand's Māori international side the Māori All Blacks. ^[1] Royal has previously played club rugby in Auckland before heading to Bay of Plenty Rugby in 2013 and spending 4 seasons with the Bay Steamers. After moving back home to Auckland in 2017 as an injury replacement for the Blues, has played 4 seasons with the Counties Manukau Steelers and is now with both Auckland Rugby in the Bunnings NPC and loaned to Ngāti Porou East Coast in the Heartland Championship.

Personal life

Royal is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei and Ngāpuhi descent). ^[2]

References

1. "Joe Royal Bay of Plenty Profile". Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
2. "5 players from Ngāti Porou named in "Maori All Blacks"Ngāti Porou East Coast". 30 June 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2024.