Sam Gilbert (rugby union)
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| Born | 21 January 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St. Andrew's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sam Gilbert (born 21 January 1999)[1] is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays primarily as a fullback and centre. Since 2025, Gilbert has played for Irish club Connacht in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Highlanders
In 2020 Gilbert made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders[2][3][4] in the first round of the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Chiefs. Gilbert started on the right-wing. The Highlanders won 28–27.[5]
In 2021, Gilbert earned more match-time with the Highlanders and became a mainstay for Otago during their 2021 campaign, which saw them reach the NPC Championship Grand Final. In 2022 Gilbert became a first-team outside back for the Highlanders, playing twelve of their fifteen season games.[6] In Round 14 of the season, Gilbert, playing at first five-eighth for the Highlanders against the Waratahs, performed a "tip tackle" on opposing player Michael Hooper, who subsequently landed on his neck.[7] Gilbert was given a red card and later received a five game suspension.[8] The Highlanders went on to play another two matches in the season without Gilbert (Round 15, Quarter-finals).[6]
In 2023, similar to 2022, Gibert was deployed across multiple positions in the backline.[6] Having already played on the wings, at fullback, and as first five-eighth, Gilbert was moved to inside centre (initially in pre-season)[9] beginning in Round 10 of the season. It was the 2023 season that Gilbert became the team's primary goal-kicker. Gilbert, overall, kicked 33 conversions and 12 penalty goals for the Highlanders.[6]
2024 saw Gilbert's scoreboard presence heavily reduced from inside centre, with the introduction of Cam Millar at first five-eighth taking over goal-kicking duties toward the latter-half of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.[10] 2024 was Gilbert's most consistent season at the Highlanders since debuting in 2020.[6] Being promoted to vice-captain ahead of the season,[11][AI-retrieved source] he started in 11 of their 15 fixtures, and played in 14 overall.[6]
Gilbert was returned as the primary goal-kicker for the Highlanders in 2025,[6] as well as the fullback and wing positions. In a poor season for the team, Gilbert scored 5 tries, 14 conversions and 12 penalty goals, and overall finished with 89 points,[6] or fifth on the seasonal stats sheet.[12]
Connacht
In May 2025, it was announced that Gilbert had signed for Irish club Connacht in the United Rugby Championship (URC).[13][14] His term with the team began in the 2025–26 season following Gilbert's obligations with Otago.[13][14]
International career
Gilbert was selected in a New Zealand U20s development camp held in Palmerston North alongside 49 players in preparation for their 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship campaign.[15] Gilbert was selected in New Zealand U20s squad for their match against Fiji U20 in the 2019 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship.[16] Gilbert, starting on the left-wing, scored one try in a 53–7 victory.[16]
Gilbert was called-up to the All Blacks XV for their tour of Japan as part of 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches.[17] In the teams first of two fixtures, Gilbert came off the bench against a Japan XV team,[18] replacing Jack Goodhue in the 67th minute. The All Blacks XV won 6–38.[19] In the second fixture in Japan, Gilbert replaced fullback Ruben Love in the 59th minute. The All Blacks XV won against Japan 27–41.[20]