Kurt Baker
Full nameKurt Thomas Baker
Date of birth (1988-10-07) 7 October 1988
Place of birthPalmerston North, New Zealand
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb; 14 st 9 lb)
SchoolPalmerston North Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Current team Old Glory DC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–09, 2017 Manawatu 22 (25)
2010–2015 Taranaki 57 (110)
2012–2015 Highlanders 10 (10)
2016–2017 Zebre 11 (10)
2020 Hawke's Bay 12 (5)
2023– Old Glory DC 10 (12)
Correct as of 4 July 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2015 Māori All Blacks 7 (5)
Correct as of 1 June 2020
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2008–2022 New Zealand 53
Correct as of 8 January 2023
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  New Zealand
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Team competition
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Delhi Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2018 Gold Coast Team competition
Rugby World Cup Sevens
Gold medal – first place2013 RussiaTeam competition
Gold medal – first place2018 San FranciscoTeam competition
Silver medal – second place2022 Cape TownTeam competition

Kurt Baker (born 7 October 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a fullback or wing for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR).[1]

Between 2008 and 2022, Baker played for the New Zealand Sevens team in 233 World Rugby Sevens Series games and a total of 53 international tourments. In his rugby sevens career, he won 12 World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments, five World Rugby Sevens Series titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020), two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2010, 2018), two gold medals and one silver medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens (2013, 2018, 2022) and a silver medal at the Olympic Games (2020).[2]

Baker has also played for the Māori All Blacks.

Club career

Manawatu

Upon leaving school, Baker was contracted by the Manawatu Rugby Union. In his second year out of school he was a part of Manawatu's 2008 national provincial championship squad. He was spotted by coach Dave Rennie and had signed with Manawatu at just 20 years old.[3] Baker made his debut for Manawatu in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup competition, coming on as a replacement against Auckland in a Ranfurly Shield match.[4] He went on to make his starting debut against Wellington, whilst also scoring his first professional rugby union try.[5]

Returning to Manawatu for the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, Baker scored three tries, the province's second top try scorer of the year along with three fellow players. He also was suspended from all rugby for eight weeks after allegedly verbally abusing assistant referee Zarne Johnson in a competition match between Hawke's Bay and Manawatu. Baker was also charged with allegedly threatening Johnson.[6]

Highlanders

Baker was signed by the Highlanders after an impressive ITM Cup and New Zealand sevens campaign in 2010; he signed a two-year deal with the Otago-based Super Rugby franchise.[7] A stress fracture in his back – which he suffered in Delhi winning gold at the Commonwealth Games – had ruled Baker out of all rugby for three months.[8] Though he was expected to overcome the injury before the 2011 Super Rugby season started, a scan in February showed the fracture had not mended and he was subsequently released by the Highlanders to their wider training group and was then replaced in the Highlanders squad by Kade Poki.[9]

Andre Taylor was Taranaki's preferred fullback throughout 2011, but Baker, who had re-signed with Taranaki through until the end of 2012, was recalled by the Highlanders despite lasting just one full game during the shortened ITM Cup season.[10] He eventually made his debut for the Highlanders in the third round of the 2012 Super Rugby season, coming on as a replacement against the Waratahs in Dunedin.[11] Baker made a further four appearances and scored two tries, one such try against the Blues in round nine saw him chase a kick at pace to what ended up being the winning try.[12]

Baker did not return to the Highlanders for the 2013 Super Rugby season,[13] but instead signed with the Crusaders as a member of their wider training group.[14] In November 2013, Baker returned to the Highlanders after a successful ITM Cup campaign as a member of the Taranaki side that won the 2014 ITM Cup Premiership over Tasman. He signed with the side for two years after putting aside his sevens career to concentrate on Super Rugby.[15]

Taranaki

In December 2009, Baker decided to move north to Taranaki along with Manawatu teammate Andre Taylor, who both signed with the union on a two-year deal.[16] He made his debut for the province starting at fullback against Northland in round one of the 2010 ITM Cup.[17] After being sidelined throughout the 2011 Super Rugby season with a stress fracture in his back, the injury eventually improved and he managed to play several games for Taranaki in their 2011 ITM Cup campaign.[18] Baker also featured in the squads infamous Ranfurly Shield win over Southland.[19][20] Heading into the 2012 ITM Cup, he had scored nine tries in nineteen games for the province.

Baker made an immediate impact with his decisive running and ability to spot a gap for Taranaki in 2012. His ability to put a player into space also caught the eye. He finished the year as the first-choice fullback. At the end of the 2013 ITM Cup season, Baker was nominated for the Taranaki Sportsman of the Year award after a stand-out season. While he missed out on that award, Baker was given the Back of the Year award, Personality of the Year award and Try of the Year award for his superb try against Bay of Plenty.[21]

After a six-week ban for a dangerous tackle in the Highlanders' round 8 game against the Rebels,[22] Baker badly tore a hamstring in club rugby in Dunedin. After working his way back to fitness, he finally got a start for Taranaki against Northland in the 2014 ITM Cup, only to suffer an AC joint injury just a few minutes into the game.[23] However, he finished the season on a high, after being a part of Taranaki's narrow victory over Tasman at Yarrow Stadium to win the province's first ITM Cup Premiership title.[24] Baker scored five tries and made a further eleven appearances in 2015.

Zebre

On 18 June 2016, Italian Pro12 club Zebre announced that Baker would join the Italian club for the 2016–17 season.[25][26] During that season, Baker played 517 minutes in 9 games (starting in 7) for Zebre and scored one try for the club in their game against Glasgow Warriors.[27] Baker did not return to Zebre for the second year of his contract.[28][29]

Hawke's Bay

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union announced on 3 August 2020 that Baker would join the Hawke's Bay Magpies for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season.[30][31] It proved to be a successful move for Baker. He helped the Magpies win the Ranfurly Shield (taking it off Otago),[32] successfully defend the Shield three times against challenges from Northland, Manawatu and Wellington, and win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship title.[33]

Old Glory DC

On 9 December 2022, Old Glory DC announced that club had signed Baker for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.[1] He played his first game for his new team on 18 February 2023 against Chicago Hounds and scored a try on debut.[34]

International career

New Zealand Sevens

Baker was selected in the New Zealand Sevens squad for the opening two rounds of the 2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai and George, making his international rugby debut at The Sevens.[35][36] In 2009, Baker was named in the New Zealand Sevens trial squad,[37] but went on to play in the England, Scotland, Dubai and George Sevens later that year.[38][39]

In 2010, Baker secured a permanent position in the New Zealand Sevens squad, playing in all six tournaments. In the Hong Kong Sevens, he led the New Zealand team in scoring four tries in their semi-final win over Fiji and two tries in their Cup final loss to Samoa.[40] He was also the top individual try scorer and point scorer of the tournament.[41] Later in 2010, Baker was named in Gordon Tietjens' squad for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.[42] He was a stand-out in the final against Australia, coming on as a replacement and scoring one of the winning tries to ensure the team the gold medal.[43]

Baker was named as a non-travelling reserve for the All Blacks Sevens squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.[44][45] He featured at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.[46][47] He won a silver medal after his side lost to Fiji in the gold medal final.[48][49][50]

Baker announced his retirement from international rugby sevens after the 2022 Dubai Sevens.[51][52]

Māori All Blacks

Although the then 24-year-old Baker had only played seven matches for the Highlanders, Jamie Joseph, the Māori All Blacks coach, selected him for the 2012 UK end of year tour to England, playing against domestic club team Leicester Tigers, a specially made RFU Championship XV, and ending against the Canadian national team.[53]

Career honours

References

  1. 1 2 "Old Glory is excited to announce the signing of New Zealand Sevens legend, Kurt Baker, to the DC squad for MLR2023". Old Glory DC (Press release). 9 December 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Kurt Baker signs off a decorated sevens career in Dubai". allblacks.com (Press release). 5 December 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Manawatu hope for Turbo-charged season". Yahoo New Zealand. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Preview: Air NZ Cup Preview: Auckland v Manawatu". Mitre 10 Cup. 21 August 2008. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Wellington continues perfect start". Mitre 10 Cup. 5 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Rugby: Trio banned for abusing match officials". New Zealand Herald. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "NZ Sevens stars graduate to Super 15". World Rugby. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "Highlanders' Kurt Baker out for three months". Stuff New Zealand. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Rugby: Poki added to Highlanders as outside-back cover". Otago Daily Times. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Kurt Baker keen to play full Super season". Stuff New Zealand. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "Match centre: Highlanders v NSW Waratahs". SANZAAR. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "Match centre: Highlanders v Blues". SANZAAR. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "Unwanted Kurt Baker sees his future in sevens". Taranaki Daily. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  14. ↑ "Rugby: Franchises name their training partners". Otago Daily Times. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Baker sidelines sevens, signs for Highlanders". Stuff New Zealand. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  16. ↑ McLean, Glen (23 December 2009). "Another Turbo jumps across to Taranaki rugby". Stuff New Zealand. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "Preview: Taranaki v Northland". Planet Rugby. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "Rugby: Looking to make an impact". Otago Daily Times. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  19. ↑ "Preview: Southland v Taranaki". Planet Rugby. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "Taranaki claim Shield in tryless game". ITM Cup. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  21. ↑ "Taranaki's top rugby folk praised". Club Rugby. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  22. ↑ "Baker suspended for six weeks". Planet Rugby. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  23. ↑ "Chance for Kurt Baker to end season on high". Stuff New Zealand. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Taranaki win 2014 ITM Cup Premiership". ITM Cup. 25 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  25. ↑ "Former All-Black Sevens star Kurt Baker signs for Italian club Zebre". Stuff.co.nz. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Un Olimpionico per le Zebre: ingaggiato L'All Blacks Seven Kurt Baker" [An Olympian for Zebre: All Blacks Seven Kurt Baker signed]. Zebre Rugby (Press release) (in Italian). 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Guinness Pro12 Player Archive". Pro 12. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  28. ↑ "Il muro della FIR: dopo Padovani anche Baker e Koelegenberg?" [The FIR wall: after Padovani also Baker and Koelegenberg?]. OnRugby.it (in Italian). 5 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  29. ↑ "Kurt Baker to continue his rugby career on the sevens field, inking two year deal with New Zealand". Stuff New Zealand. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  30. ↑ "Magpies sign All Blacks Sevens star". Hawke's Bay Magpies. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2023. – via Facebook.
  31. ↑ "Hawke's Bay Magpies sign NZ Sevens star Kurt Baker". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 14 August 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  32. ↑ "Ranfurly Shield roundabout continues". New Zealand Rugby. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  33. ↑ "Magpies crowned kings of the Championship". New Zealand Rugby. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  34. ↑ "Old Glory deals harsh lesson to Hounds in MLR debut". Americas Rugby News. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  35. ↑ ""The time was right" – Kurt Baker on leaving sevens for exciting MLR opportunity". World Rugby. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  36. ↑ "The Sevens Stadium – About". The Sevens Stadium. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  37. ↑ "NZ sevens trial squad announced". Stuff New Zealand. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  38. ↑ "NZ Sevens squad for England and Scotland named". allblacks.com. 14 May 2009. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  39. ↑ "NZ Sevens squad named". allblacks.com. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  40. ↑ "Samoa win Hong Kong Sevens to take lead in World Series". The Guardian. 28 March 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  41. ↑ "Hong Kong Statistics". IRB. Archived from the original on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  42. ↑ "NZ name Commonwealth Games Sevens squad". IRB. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  43. ↑ "New Zealand wins Commonwealth Games Sevens Gold". allblacks.com. 13 October 2010. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  44. ↑ "Rugby Sevens teams named for Commonwealth Games". allblacks.com. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  45. ↑ "Experienced New Zealand sevens squads revealed for Commonwealth Games". Stuff. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  46. ↑ "NZ squads named for Rugby World Cup Sevens". NZ Herald. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  47. ↑ "New Zealand Sevens teams named for Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town". allblacks.com. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  48. ↑ Julian, Adam (12 September 2022). "New Zealand sides scoop silver in Cape Town". allblacks.com. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  49. ↑ "NZ Sevens come up short, losing World Cup finals in Cape Town". 1 News. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  50. ↑ Wilson, Sam (11 September 2022). "Recap: New Zealand's men and women beaten in Rugby World Cup Sevens finals in Cape Town". Stuff. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  51. ↑ "Kurt Baker signs off a decorated sevens career in Dubai". allblacks.com. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  52. ↑ "The retired class of 2022". www.world.rugby. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  53. ↑ "Maori All Blacks squad for 2012 European tour". 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
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