Tyrone Thompson, a former hooker for the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV, has joined the Newcastle Knights and moved to rugby league. For the 2025 NRL season, Thompson will play for the Novocastrians with his identical twin brother, Leo, who is a New Zealand international.
In a 53-2 victory over Waikato at FMG Stadium Waikato on September 12, 2020, Thompson made his Wellington debut in the National Provincial Championship of New Zealand. Before being given an opportunity in Super Rugby, the front-rower played an additional 15 games over the following two seasons.
Thompson scored his first try off the bench for the Chiefs in 2022 while playing away to Moana Pasifika in the fifth round of Super Rugby Pacific. With the starting hooker and All, the New Zealander delivered a powerful one-two punch Black Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Thompson appeared destined for representative honors in the New Zealand rugby system, and last September, he was given the chance to do so with the All Blacks XV. After facing the Brave Blossoms and a Japan XV, the hooker came off the bench.
Later, Thompson was chosen to play for the Maori All Blacks against a Japan XV in two games. In the second match at City of Toyota Stadium, the 24-year-old scored a try. However, the Test prospect’s rugby union career ended after six NPC matches this year.
The Newcastle Knights said on Thursday that they had signed the physical front-rower in their starting lineup to an NRL Development contract. The Knights are eager to see what the former enforcer for the All Blacks XV can provide to their team.
In a statement, Newcastle Knights Head of Recruitment Peter O’Sullivan said, “Tyrone is a very gifted player, with a burning desire to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and play in the NRL.”
After spending several years in top junior pathway teams and programs, he has demonstrated himself to be a very skilled and formidable rugby player, playing for the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV on an international level.
“I can very clearly recall seeing the brothers perform for Napier Boys High; Leo was a centre and Tyrone an athletic forward, they were both elite players, who stood out.