All Blacks
Dalton Papali'i

PLAYER PROFILE

Dalton Papali'i

Loose Forward

KEY STATS
UPDATED
AGE
26
WEIGHT
113KG
HEIGHT
193CM
GAMES
32
POINTS
40
TRIES
8
CONV
0
PEN
0
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BIOGRAPHY

IN JUNE 2017 Auckland and Blues loose forward Dalton Papali'i was revelling in a second World Under 20 Championship with New Zealand, as a winner in Georgia, but not daring to believe where his career may lead.

Opportunity came knocking in 2018 as the Blues were hit by a severe injury crisis and Papali'i was signed up. His season was cut short before it started though when he broke his hand in a pre-season match and was out for six weeks.

The versatile loose forward had an outstanding season for Auckland in domestic rugby topping the tackles count late in the season and earning selection on the All Blacks Vista Northern Tour, starting against Japan before adding impact off the bench against Italy.

Papali'i added to his two caps with an appearance against South Africa in 2019 before earning selection in the first All Blacks squad of 2020. He was selected again for the Steinlager Series in 2021 and scored his first Test try against Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium.

Auckland-raised Papali'i played rugby league as youngster before going onto captain his St Kentigern's College First XV and in 2015 led the New Zealand Schools side to a convincing 32-3 win over the Australian Schools team.

Papali'i now plies his trade for Counties Manukau in the Bunnings NPC. 

Dalton Papali'i news

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'Fire in the belly and ice in the head' mantra for final
'Fire in the belly and ice in the head' will be the combination the All Blacks take into Sunday's (NZT) Rugby World Cup final against old rivals South Africa in Paris.
Intensity Soars: All Blacks push limits in preparation for crunch Italy clash
All Blacks flanker Dalton Papali'i said the week break they had last week had seen significant gains in the physical and mental state of the players ahead of their next Rugby World Cup pool game against Italy in Lyon on Saturday (NZT).
Dream come true for Papali’i in Paris
All Blacks flanker Dalton Papali'i will achieve the dream of his life by starting in Saturday's Rugby World Cup opener against France in Paris.
Papali’i to bring extra speed to game
New Zealand will go into Saturday's (NZT) Rugby World Cup opening game with France looking for speed in the loose with captain Sam Cane and Dalton Papali'i named on the flanks of the scrum.
Re-jigged loose forward combination up for the challenge
A changed All Blacks loose forward combination of Dalton Papali'i, Akira Ioane, and Ardie Savea will seek to regain lost ground to Australia in that part of their game in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship finale at Eden Park on Saturday.
All Blacks aim to deny Ireland forward momentum - Retallick
Denying Ireland the chance to get momentum going among their forwards would be crucial to denying them the chance to level the Steinlager Series in Saturday’s second Test in Dunedin.
Dalton Papalii named at blindside for second Test against Ireland
The All Blacks team has been named to play Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday July 9th (Kick off 7.05 PM NZT).

‘Their physicality is second to none’ - Papalii
Physicality in northern hemisphere rugby has made its impression on flanker Dalton Papalii, and he's expecting more of the same in Sunday's (NZT) Test against Ireland in Dublin.
All Blacks squad named for 2020 Investec Rugby Championship
The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named the squad for the 2020 Investec Rugby Championship.
Power pair return to Blues starting line-up to take on Chiefs
All Black loose forwards Dalton Papalii and Akira Ioane return to the Blues starting line-up for Saturday’s second round of the Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Dalton Papali'i Videos

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REPLAY | In The Sheds with Dalton Papali'i (Dunedin)
Join Dalton Papali'i in the sheds after the All Blacks win over Australia in…
All Blacks in their own words: The season so far
"When we are going through those hard times, we just need to trust the man next…
Dalton Papali'i talks about new loose forward trio
Dalton Papali'i and Akira Ioane chat to the media ahead of Saturday's Test…
In the All Blacks changing rooms - Brisbane 2021
Dalton Papalii tours the changing rooms following the team's win over Argentina…
In the Sheds with the All Blacks: Brisbane
Dalton Papalii takes you inside the All Blacks changing room following the…
Dalton Papalii loves to score tries
Blues flanker Dalton Papalii sits second on the try scoring ladder in Investec…