1. Overview
Sa Jordan Taufua, born on January 29, 1992, is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand who primarily plays as a flanker or number eight. He represents Samoa at the international level, qualifying through his ancestry. Taufua has had an extensive career across New Zealand's domestic and Super Rugby competitions, notably with the Crusaders, before moving to European clubs such as Leicester Tigers, Lyon, and currently Stade Niçois.
2. Early Life and Education
Jordan Taufua's early life and educational journey laid the foundation for his rugby career, beginning in Auckland before he moved to Christchurch for university.
2.1. Childhood and Schooling
Born in Otahuhu, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, Taufua spent his formative years in the region. He received his early education at Alfriston College before completing his schooling at Sacred Heart College within the city of Auckland.
2.2. University and Early Rugby
After finishing high school, Taufua relocated south to Christchurch to attend Lincoln University. During his time there, he began his involvement in organized rugby, playing for the university's local club team.
3. Senior Rugby Career
Taufua's professional rugby career spans significant periods in New Zealand's domestic and Super Rugby competitions, followed by a move to European club rugby.
3.1. New Zealand Domestic Career
Taufua began his senior provincial rugby career in New Zealand's premier domestic competitions, including the ITM Cup and later the Mitre 10 Cup, playing for several notable teams.
3.1.1. Canterbury
Taufua's senior career commenced in 2012 when he was initially loaned to the Tasman Mako by Canterbury. He was controversially recalled by Canterbury before the playoffs that season, playing as a replacement in Canterbury's victories over Taranaki and Auckland, which led to them being crowned ITM Cup Premiership champions. In the 2013 ITM Cup season, he became a full squad member for Canterbury and was an ever-present player as the team successfully retained their ITM Cup Premiership crown, defeating Wellington 29-13 in the final.
3.1.2. Tasman Mako
After his initial loan stint in 2012, where he played all 10 regular season championship games for the Tasman Mako, Taufua returned to the team in 2017 after a four-year absence. During his return season, the Mako reached the Premiership Final, though they ultimately lost to Canterbury.
3.1.3. Counties Manukau Steelers
In 2014, Taufua moved north to play for the Counties Manukau Steelers, based in Pukekohe. In his first season with the Steelers, he started every game, with the team finishing in 5th place in the Premiership, just outside the playoff positions. The Steelers again narrowly missed the playoffs in the 2015 ITM Cup season, finishing 5th, with Taufua contributing three tries in nine matches. He continued to be an ever-present player for Counties in the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup season, where he scored a career-high six tries and helped the team reach the playoffs before they were defeated by his former side, Canterbury.
3.2. Super Rugby Career
Taufua spent a significant portion of his Super Rugby career with the Crusaders, establishing himself as a key player in the franchise.
3.2.1. Debut and Development
Taufua's strong performances in provincial rugby caught the attention of the Christchurch-based Super Rugby franchise, the Crusaders, who named him in their squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season. At just 21 years old, he spent much of this season learning from experienced loose forwards such as Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, and Luke Whitelock. He made five substitute appearances throughout the year. This developmental season proved beneficial, as he became a much more regular feature in the 2014 Super Rugby season, playing 14 times as the Crusaders finished as the competition's runner-up, narrowly losing 33-32 to the Waratahs in the final in Sydney.
3.2.2. Established Player
By the 2015 Super Rugby season, Taufua was firmly established as a starting member of the Crusaders lineup, playing in all 16 of their games during a season that saw them finish in a disappointing 7th place overall. The team rebounded in the 2016 Super Rugby season, reaching the quarter-finals before a 42-25 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg. Taufua played in 15 of their 16 games that season, scoring an impressive four tries. In May 2016, he extended his contract with the Crusaders until at least the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season, and re-signed for one more season (2019) in March 2018.
3.3. European Club Career
Following his successful tenure in New Zealand, Taufua transitioned to European club rugby, playing in both England and France.
3.3.1. Leicester Tigers
Taufua joined Premiership Rugby side Leicester Tigers for the 2019-20 season. He remained with the club until February 2021 when he was granted an early release from his contract.
3.3.2. Lyon OU
On January 27, 2021, French club Lyon announced the signing of Taufua as an injury replacement for the remainder of the 2020-21 Top 14 season, stepping in for injured players Mathieu Bastareaud and Gillian Galan. Taufua made his debut for Lyon and in the Top 14 on February 5, 2021, against Clermont.
3.3.3. Stade Niçois
In 2024, Jordan Taufua moved to Stade Niçois, a club competing in Pro D2, the second tier of French professional rugby.
4. International Career
Jordan Taufua has represented both Samoa and New Zealand at the junior international level and has earned senior caps for Samoa, in addition to playing for invitational representative teams.
4.1. Junior International Representation
Although born in New Zealand, Taufua initially chose to represent Samoa at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship held in Italy. The following year, he switched his allegiance back to New Zealand, playing five times for the New Zealand U20 team in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship. New Zealand reached the tournament final, where they were defeated 22-16 by hosts South Africa in Cape Town.
4.2. Senior International Representation
Taufua has earned senior international caps for Samoa, the land of his ancestors. Although he has represented Samoa at the senior level, he has also been called up to the All Blacks squad. As of October 2024, he has accumulated six caps for the Samoan national team. His contributions led to his selection for the Rugby World Cup 2023 squad, representing Samoa in the prestigious tournament.
4.3. Other Representative Matches
In addition to his official international duties, Taufua has participated in several high-profile invitational matches. In June 2015, he was part of a World XV side that played against South Africa in Cape Town, losing 46-10. Taufua played the entire match at number 6. The following year, on November 5, 2016, he faced the same opposition at Wembley Stadium, this time representing the Barbarians. He started as the openside flanker in a game that ended in a 31-31 draw and was replaced in the 75th minute.
5. Playing Position and Style
Jordan Taufua is a versatile back-row forward, primarily playing as a flanker or number eight. His physical attributes include a height of 73 in (185 cm) and a weight of 254 lb (115 kg).