Bradley Slater

Bradley Slater, born on 23 September 1998, is a flanker who came through the development system with the Blues in New Zealand's Super Rugby Pacific competition. A loose forward built around a high work rate, he is at his best contesting the breakdown and applying defensive pressure, offering the kind of relentless effort that defines effective opensides. Slater's role in the Blues' back row is one of graft and contest — slowing opposition ball, supporting the carry and providing a link between the forwards and backs in transition. Having progressed through the franchise's pathway, he provides useful depth and competition for places in a demanding southern hemisphere environment. His continued development hinges on adding consistency and impact, building the senior experience needed to establish himself as a regular in a competitive loose-forward rotation. The competitive nature of Super Rugby Pacific demands resilience from its loose forwards, and Slater's willingness to embrace the contest gives him a platform on which to keep pushing for a more prominent role within the Blues' setup.