Ihaia West (born 16 January 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for La Rochelle in the Top 14 in France. Prior to this he was with Hawke's Bay in the ITM Cup as well as playing for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. West played at under-20 level for New Zealand.

Ihaia West
West in a Challenge Cup match against Benetton in 2023
Birth nameIhaia Thomas West
Date of birth (1992-01-16) 16 January 1992 (age 32)
Place of birthHavelock North, New Zealand
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight84 kg (13 st 3 lb)
SchoolNapier Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth
Current team La Rochelle
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018−2022 La Rochelle 91 (861)
2022–2023 Toulon 28 (44)
2023– La Rochelle 4 (5)
Correct as of 2 November 2023
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2018 Hawke's Bay 62 (628)
Correct as of 14 November 2022
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2017 Blues 45 (357)
2018 Hurricanes 14 (22)
Correct as of 14 November 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 New Zealand U20 5 (40)
2013–2017 Maori All Blacks 10 (63)
2022 Barbarian F.C. 1 (2)
Correct as of 14 November 2022

Career

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West made his provincial debut for Hawke's Bay in 2012.[citation needed]

In 2013, he was named as the sole First Five-Eighth in the Maori All Blacks squad for their tour to North America.[1]

At the start of 2014, West was called into the Chiefs squad as injury cover,[2] but was never included in a matchday squad for the Hamilton-based side.

In April 2014, West was called into the Blues squad, as injury replacement for Baden Kerr who was ruled out for the remainder of the 2014 Super Rugby season.[3]

On 2 May 2014 West had his debut Super Rugby match for the Blues against the Queensland Reds at Eden Park where he scored a try.[4]

On 7 June 2017, West scored the match winning try against the touring British and Irish Lions at Eden Park, with 6 minutes remaining. He added the conversion to push his side to a 22 - 16 final scoreline in what was the first Lions defeat on tour.

On 4 April 2018, West moved to France as he signed for Top 14 side La Rochelle from the 2018-19 season.[5] West won the 2021-2022 Heineken Champions Cup with La Rochelle as their primary First Five-Eighth, kicking 9 points for them in the final against the heavy favourites Leinster. On 5 December 2021, West signed for Top 14 rivals Toulon on a three-year deal ahead of the 2022-23 season.[6]

Honours

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Club

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  Hawke's Bay

  La Rochelle

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "Maori All Blacks squad for North America Tour named" (Press release). All Blacks. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Ihaia West called into Chiefs squad, Super Rugby 2014". 3 News. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Ihaia West called into Blues squad" (Press release). Blues. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Super Smashing: Auckland Blues hammer sorry Queensland Reds". www.sportal.co.nz. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  5. ^ "La Rochelle to sign Ihaia West". Planet Rugby. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Ihaia West signs for Toulon". Rugby Pass. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Leinster 21 La Rochelle 24: La Rochelle win Heineken Champions Cup as last-gasp try sinks Leinster". bbc.com. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Classement des réalisateurs Saison 2018/19". sports.fr. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
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