Mark Telea

Mark Evander Telea (born 6 December 1996) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Super Rugby club Blues and the New Zealand national team.[1][2][3][4][5]

Mark Telea
Full nameMark Evander Telea
Date of birth (1996-12-06) 6 December 1996
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight94 kg (207 lb; 14 st 11 lb)
SchoolMassey High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team North Harbour, Blues
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2019 North Harbour 25 (35)
2020– Blues 52 (130)
2020–2021 Tasman 14 (20)
2022– North Harbour 9 (20)
Correct as of 21 October 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022– New Zealand 8 (30)
Correct as of 21 October 2023

Club career

After showing promising form for North Harbour during the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season, Telea was named in the Blues squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season. Telea started the campaign as the first choice left wing for the Blues. Telea rewarded the faith of Blues staff, impressing with his early season form. Telea scored 3 tries during a Round 2 fixture, as the Blues defeated the Waratahs 32-12 in rainy conditions in Newcastle. Telea crossed again in Round 4 vs the Bulls in Pretoria, scoring impressively to dot the ball down as two defenders forced him into touch. He continued his good form in Super Rugby Aotearoa and in mid 2020 he was chosen for the North Island in the North vs South rugby union match. Telea was named in the Tasman squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup making his debut for the Mako in Round 1 against Counties Manukau.[6] Telea played 11 games for the Mako in the 2020 season as they went on to win their second premiership title in a row. Telea had a mixed 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season but returned to form during the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition, scoring a try in the final as the Blues defeated the Highlanders 23-15. In Round 3 of the 2021 Bunnings NPC Telea suffered a season ending injury while playing for Tasman against Northland. The side went on to make the final before losing 23–20 to Waikato.

International career

On 30 June 2022, after an impressive 2022 Super Rugby season with the Blues, Telea was called in to the All Blacks squad as a replacement.

On 12 November 2022, he was named at 14 in the starting line-up to go up against Scotland. During his debut match he scored two tries.[7][8]

On 8 September 2023 in the opening game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup against France he scored two tries, with the first try of the competition within 91 seconds of the start of the game being the fastest Rugby World Cup opening try to date.[9]

Personal life

Telea has South African ancestry from his father and Samoan ancestry from his mother. Telea attended Massey High School in West Auckland.[10]

References
  1. "Mark Telea". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  2. "Hard work edict for Blues 2020 squad" (Press release). Blues. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  3. "Mark Telea". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  4. "Investec Super Rugby class of 2020 announced". Super Rugby NZ. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  5. "Mark Telea". blues.rugby. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  6. "Mark Telea". mako.nz. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  7. "Telea double helps the All Blacks home at Murrayfield". allblacks.com. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  8. "Telea double sees All Blacks hold off feisty Scotland challenge". Reuters. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  9. Michael Cantillon. "Match Report France 27-13 New Zealand". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  10. Adams, Mariette (11 November 2022). "South African-qualified wing to debut for All Blacks". The South African. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
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