Taufa Funaki

Sharp around the fringes and quick to inject pace, Taufa Funaki is a scrum-half who has impressed for the Blues with his decisiveness and energy. Born on 29 July 2000, he plays a darting, attacking style, using crisp distribution and well-timed sniping runs to keep defences guessing close to the ruck. A breakout 2023 Super Rugby Pacific campaign earned him recognition with the All Blacks XV squad that year, reward for the tempo and direction he brought to the Blues' attack. Funaki is often used as an impact player, arriving from the bench to lift the speed of the game in its closing stages and to test tiring defenders with his running threat. His service is quick and accurate, and his willingness to take on the line himself adds an extra dimension at the base. Defensively he is busy and committed, scrapping at the ruck and covering ground despite the demands the position places on smaller players. With game management still developing alongside his natural attacking instincts, he represents an exciting option at nine for a Blues side that values pace and unpredictability.