Hurricanes

Bio

Then Manawatu fullback and winger Andre Taylor joined the Hurricanes for the first time in 2010 on the back of an exciting Air New Zealand Cup in which he proved a constant threat for opposition defences. Taylor capped off an excellent season by scoring 27 points in the Turbos’ final game of the 2009 season against North Harbour.

Taylor earned five caps for the Hurricanes in his first season, making his starting debut on the wing against the Cheetahs. He returned for another full season in 2011, and then helped his second province Taranaki to third place in the ITM Cup and to winning the Ranfurly Shield. Aat home at either wing or fullback, he chimed in with another big points scoring haul of 19 in the win over Tasman.

He made his Air New Zealand Cup debut in 2006 while still at school at Palmerston North Boys’ High School and was a World Cup winner with the New Zealand U20 team in 2008. Previously he had played for the New Zealand Secondary Schools and New Zealand U17 sides. He was a Hurricanes Wider Training Squad member in 2009.

The keen car enthusiast has speed to burn on the rugby field and possesses a proficient kicking game, making him ideally suited to the modern game.

Taylor played in six matches in rookie year, including five starts on the wing (four times) and fullback (once). Taylor is a player for the future and he was part of the triumphant New Zealand Maori side that won the 2010 Maori centenary series against the New Zealand Barbarians, Ireland and England.

Stats

Provincial Teams

Taranaki, Manawatu

Provincial Points

137 points (17t, 11c, 9p, 1d)

Provincial Caps

52

Provincial Debut

2006 v Taranaki (Manawatu)

Super Rugby Caps

15

Super Rugby Points

10 (2 tries)

Super Rugby Debut

2010 v Force

Rugby facts

Earliest Rugby Memory

Scoring my first try

Position When Younger

Fullback

Most Admired Rugby Player

Christian Cullen

Biggest Rugby Influence

Whanau

Most Memorable Rugby Moment

Winning the U20 World Cup

Worst Rugby Room Mate

Jayden Hayward