Mark Tele’a

BIOGRAPHY

Mark Tele’a hails from West Auckland, rising to prominence out of Massey Rugby Club, which has produced notable Blues players Rudi Wolf, Anthony Tuitavake, Viliami Ma'afu and Gerard Cowley-Tuioti.

He is quick and agile, with a strength that belies his frame. Mark's debut season at the Blues saw a meteoric rise in the public consciousness, beating defenders and breaking lines seemingly at will. Touted as a bolter to play representative rugby at season's end, Covid-19 popped up to put a halt to Mark's outstanding debut season.

Following on from a championship winning domestic campaign with the Tasman Mako in 2020, Mark returned to the squad in 2021 well and truly on the radar of opposition defences.

He once again proved a handful during our 2021 campaign. With opposition no longer caught unawares by his uncanny footwork, he developed a skilful kicking game and safe pair of hands under the high-ball. His willingness to do the mahi, saw him cement his place on the wing for the Blues during Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, scoring valuable tries time and again, including the first try of the Grand-Final.

2022 was another strong season for the evasive wing both for the Blues and for North Harbour, his ability to find the line in tight spots a feature of his game. He was rewarded with two Test for the All Blacks on the Northern Tour against Scotland and England. 

Tele'a took his game to another level in 2023 with standout performances for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific and the All Blacks on the international stage.

Playing on the left wing, Tele'a scored two tries in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup against France. 

He capped off the year by being named the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year for 2023.