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Kurt Baker

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For the American musician, seeKurt Baker (musician).

Kurt Baker
Kurt Baker in 2017
Full nameKurt Thomas Baker
Date of birth(1988-10-07)7 October 1988(age 35)
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
Years Team Comps
2008–2022 New Zealand 53
Correct as of 8 January 2023
Medal record
Men'srugby sevens
RepresentingNew 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 place 2013 Russia Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2018 San Francisco Team competition
Silver medal – second place 2022 Cape Town Team competition

Kurt Baker(born 7 October 1988) is a New Zealandrugby unionplayer, who currently plays as afullbackorwingforOld Glory DCinMajor League Rugby(MLR).[1]

Between 2008 and 2022, Baker played for theNew Zealand Sevens teamin 233World Rugby Sevens Seriesgames and a total of 53 international tourments. In hisrugby sevenscareer, he won 12 World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments, five World Rugby Sevens Series titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020), two gold medals at theCommonwealth Games(2010, 2018), two gold medals and one silver medal at theRugby World Cup Sevens(2013, 2018, 2022) and a silver medal at theOlympic Games(2020).[2]

Baker has also played for theMāori All Blacks.

Club career[edit]

Manawatu[edit]

Upon leaving school, Baker was contracted by theManawatu Rugby Union.In his second year out of school he was a part ofManawatu's 2008 national provincial championship squad. He was spotted by coachDave Rennieand had signed with Manawatu at just 20 years old.[3]Baker made his debut for Manawatu in the2008 Air New Zealand Cupcompetition, coming on as a replacement againstAucklandin aRanfurly Shieldmatch.[4]He went on to make his starting debut againstWellington,whilst also scoring his first professionalrugby uniontry.[5]

Returning to Manawatu for the2009 Air New Zealand Cup,Baker scored three tries, the province'ssecond top try scorerof 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 betweenHawke's Bayand Manawatu. Baker was also charged with allegedly threatening Johnson.[6]

Highlanders[edit]

Baker was signed by theHighlandersafter an impressiveITM Cupand New Zealand sevens campaign in 2010; he signed a two-year deal with theOtago-basedSuper Rugbyfranchise.[7]A stress fracture in his back – which he suffered in Delhi winning gold at theCommonwealth Games– had ruled Baker out of all rugby for three months.[8]Though he was expected to overcome the injury before the2011 Super Rugby seasonstarted, 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 byKade Poki.[9]

Andre Taylorwas Taranaki's preferred fullback throughout 2011, but Baker, who had re-signed withTaranakithrough until the end of 2012, was recalled by the Highlanders despite lasting just one full game during the shortenedITM Cupseason.[10]He eventually made his debut for the Highlanders in the third round of the2012 Super Rugby season,coming on as a replacement against theWaratahsinDunedin.[11]Baker made a further four appearances and scored two tries, one such try against theBluesin 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 the2013 Super Rugby season,[13]but instead signed with theCrusadersas 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 the2014 ITM CupPremiership overTasman.He signed with the side for two years after putting aside his sevens career to concentrate onSuper Rugby.[15]

Taranaki[edit]

In December 2009, Baker decided to move north toTaranakialong 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 atfullbackagainstNorthlandin round one of the2010 ITM Cup.[17]After being sidelined throughout the2011 Super Rugby seasonwith a stress fracture in his back, the injury eventually improved and he managed to play several games for Taranaki in their2011 ITM Cupcampaign.[18]Baker also featured in the squads infamousRanfurly Shieldwin overSouthland.[19][20]Heading into the2012 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-choicefullback.At the end of the2013 ITM Cupseason, 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 againstBay of Plenty.[21]

After a six-week ban for a dangerous tackle in the Highlanders' round 8 game against theRebels,[22]Baker badly tore a hamstring in club rugby inDunedin.After working his way back to fitness, he finally got a start for Taranaki againstNorthlandin the2014 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 overTasmanatYarrow Stadiumto win the province's firstITM CupPremiership title.[24]Baker scored five tries and made a further eleven appearances in2015.

Zebre[edit]

On 18 June 2016, ItalianPro12clubZebreannounced that Baker would join the Italian club for the2016–17 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 againstGlasgow Warriors.[27]Baker did not return to Zebre for the second year of his contract.[28][29]

Hawke's Bay[edit]

TheHawke's Bay Rugby Unionannounced on 3 August 2020 that Baker would join theHawke's BayMagpies for the2020 Mitre 10 Cupseason.[30][31]It proved to be a successful move for Baker. He helped the Magpies win theRanfurly Shield(taking it offOtago),[32]successfully defend the Shield three times against challenges fromNorthland,ManawatuandWellington,and win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship title.[33]

Old Glory DC[edit]

On 9 December 2022,Old Glory DCannounced that club had signed Baker for the2023 Major League Rugby season.[1]He played his first game for his new team on 18 February 2023 againstChicago Houndsand scored a try on debut.[34]

International career[edit]

New Zealand Sevens[edit]

Baker was selected in theNew Zealand Sevenssquad for the opening two rounds of the2008–09 IRB Sevens World SeriesinDubaiandGeorge,making his international rugby debut atThe Sevens.[35][36]In 2009, Baker was named in theNew Zealand Sevenstrial squad,[37]but went on to play in theEngland,Scotland,DubaiandGeorge Sevenslater that year.[38][39]

In 2010, Baker secured a permanent position in theNew Zealand Sevenssquad, playing in all six tournaments. In theHong 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 inGordon Tietjens' squad for theCommonwealth GamesinDelhi,India.[42]He was a stand-out in the final againstAustralia,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 theAll Blacks Sevenssquad for the2022 Commonwealth GamesinBirmingham.[44][45]He featured at the2022 Rugby World Cup SevensinCape Town.[46][47]He won a silver medal after his side lost toFijiin the gold medal final.[48][49][50]

Baker announced his retirement from international rugby sevens after the2022 Dubai Sevens.[51][52]

Māori All Blacks[edit]

Although the then 24-year-old Baker had only played seven matches for theHighlanders,Jamie Joseph,theMāori All Blackscoach, selected him for the 2012 UK end of year tour to England, playing against domestic club teamLeicester Tigers,a specially madeRFU Championship XV,and ending against theCanadian national team.[53]

Personal life[edit]

Baker is a New Zealander ofMāori descent(Ngāpuhidescent).[54]

Career honours[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"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.Retrieved20 February2023.
  2. ^"Kurt Baker signs off a decorated sevens career in Dubai".allblacks.com(Press release). 5 December 2022.Retrieved20 February2023.
  3. ^"Manawatu hope for Turbo-charged season".Yahoo New Zealand.31 July 2008.Retrieved15 March2016.
  4. ^"Preview: Air NZ Cup Preview: Auckland v Manawatu".Mitre 10 Cup.21 August 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 15 March 2016.Retrieved15 March2016.
  5. ^"Wellington continues perfect start".Mitre 10 Cup.5 September 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 15 March 2016.Retrieved15 March2016.
  6. ^"Rugby: Trio banned for abusing match officials".New Zealand Herald.1 October 2009.Retrieved15 March2016.
  7. ^"NZ Sevens stars graduate to Super 15".World Rugby.5 November 2010.Retrieved20 February2023.
  8. ^"Highlanders' Kurt Baker out for three months".Stuff New Zealand.9 February 2011.Retrieved15 March2016.
  9. ^"Rugby: Poki added to Highlanders as outside-back cover".Otago Daily Times.3 December 2010.Retrieved15 March2016.
  10. ^"Kurt Baker keen to play full Super season".Stuff New Zealand.11 February 2012.Retrieved15 March2016.
  11. ^"Match centre: Highlanders v NSW Waratahs".SANZAAR.10 March 2012.Retrieved21 February2023.
  12. ^"Match centre: Highlanders v Blues".SANZAAR.20 April 2012.Retrieved21 February2023.
  13. ^"Unwanted Kurt Baker sees his future in sevens".Taranaki Daily.1 November 2012.Retrieved23 March2013.
  14. ^"Rugby: Franchises name their training partners".Otago Daily Times.7 December 2012.Retrieved15 March2016.
  15. ^"Baker sidelines sevens, signs for Highlanders".Stuff New Zealand.30 November 2013.Retrieved15 March2016.
  16. ^McLean, Glen (23 December 2009)."Another Turbo jumps across to Taranaki rugby".Stuff New Zealand.Retrieved23 March2013.
  17. ^"Preview: Taranaki v Northland".Planet Rugby.29 July 2010.Retrieved15 March2016.
  18. ^"Rugby: Looking to make an impact".Otago Daily Times.16 December 2011.Retrieved15 March2016.
  19. ^"Preview: Southland v Taranaki".Planet Rugby.24 August 2011.Retrieved15 March2016.
  20. ^"Taranaki claim Shield in tryless game".ITM Cup.24 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 16 November 2011.Retrieved21 February2023.
  21. ^"Taranaki's top rugby folk praised".Club Rugby.17 October 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 6 January 2016.Retrieved15 March2016.
  22. ^"Baker suspended for six weeks".Planet Rugby.7 April 2014.Retrieved21 February2023.
  23. ^"Chance for Kurt Baker to end season on high".Stuff New Zealand.10 October 2014.Retrieved16 March2016.
  24. ^"Taranaki win 2014 ITM Cup Premiership".ITM Cup.25 October 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 28 October 2014.Retrieved21 February2023.
  25. ^"Former All-Black Sevens star Kurt Baker signs for Italian club Zebre".Stuff.co.nz.5 May 2016.Retrieved26 March2017.
  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 fromthe originalon 1 September 2017.Retrieved21 February2023.
  27. ^"Guinness Pro12 Player Archive".Pro 12.8 May 2017.Retrieved14 August2017.
  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.Retrieved21 August2017.
  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.Retrieved21 February2023.
  30. ^"Magpies sign All Blacks Sevens star".Hawke's Bay Magpies.3 August 2020.Retrieved20 February2023.– viaFacebook.
  31. ^"Hawke's Bay Magpies sign NZ Sevens star Kurt Baker".Hawke's Bay Rugby Union(Press release). 14 August 2020.Retrieved20 February2023.
  32. ^"Ranfurly Shield roundabout continues".New Zealand Rugby. 4 October 2020.Retrieved17 January2021.
  33. ^"Magpies crowned kings of the Championship".New Zealand Rugby. 27 November 2020.Retrieved20 February2023.
  34. ^"Old Glory deals harsh lesson to Hounds in MLR debut".Americas Rugby News.18 February 2023.Retrieved21 February2023.
  35. ^""The time was right" – Kurt Baker on leaving sevens for exciting MLR opportunity ".World Rugby.13 January 2023.Retrieved21 February2023.
  36. ^"The Sevens Stadium – About".The Sevens Stadium.Retrieved21 February2023.
  37. ^"NZ sevens trial squad announced".Stuff New Zealand.3 April 2009.Retrieved21 February2023.
  38. ^"NZ Sevens squad for England and Scotland named".allblacks.com.14 May 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 12 May 2014.Retrieved24 March2013.
  39. ^"NZ Sevens squad named".allblacks.com.26 November 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 30 November 2009.Retrieved21 February2023.
  40. ^"Samoa win Hong Kong Sevens to take lead in World Series".The Guardian.28 March 2010.Retrieved21 February2023.
  41. ^"Hong Kong Statistics".IRB.Archived fromthe originalon 1 April 2010.Retrieved16 August2011.
  42. ^"NZ name Commonwealth Games Sevens squad".IRB.3 August 2010.Retrieved22 February2023.
  43. ^"New Zealand wins Commonwealth Games Sevens Gold".allblacks.com.13 October 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2010.Retrieved24 March2013.
  44. ^"Rugby Sevens teams named for Commonwealth Games".allblacks.com.29 June 2022.Retrieved4 July2022.
  45. ^"Experienced New Zealand sevens squads revealed for Commonwealth Games".Stuff.29 June 2022.Retrieved4 July2022.
  46. ^"NZ squads named for Rugby World Cup Sevens".NZ Herald.31 August 2022.Retrieved17 September2022.
  47. ^"New Zealand Sevens teams named for Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town".allblacks.com.31 August 2022.Retrieved17 September2022.
  48. ^Julian, Adam (12 September 2022)."New Zealand sides scoop silver in Cape Town".allblacks.com.Retrieved22 September2022.
  49. ^"NZ Sevens come up short, losing World Cup finals in Cape Town".1 News.12 September 2022.Retrieved22 September2022.
  50. ^Wilson, Sam (11 September 2022)."Recap: New Zealand's men and women beaten in Rugby World Cup Sevens finals in Cape Town".Stuff.Retrieved22 September2022.
  51. ^"Kurt Baker signs off a decorated sevens career in Dubai".allblacks.com.5 December 2022.Retrieved7 January2023.
  52. ^"The retired class of 2022".www.world.rugby.4 January 2023.Retrieved7 January2023.
  53. ^"Maori All Blacks squad for 2012 European tour".29 October 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 13 January 2019.Retrieved23 March2013.
  54. ^"5 players from Ngāti Porou named in" Maori All Blacks "".Ngāti Porou East Coast.30 June 2015.Retrieved22 February2024.

External links[edit]

Awards
Preceded by Richard Crawshaw Memorial
Sevens Player of the Year
2013 		Succeeded by
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