Anthony Tuitavake
A versatile and explosive back who carved out a long professional career across hemispheres after starring for the All Blacks.
Born 1982 (age 44)·NZ international rugby union player·Birthday: February 12·Millennials
Biography
Anthony Tuitavake's rugby journey is a testament to adaptability and sustained excellence. Bursting onto the scene with North Harbour and the Blues in Super Rugby, his blistering pace and powerful running quickly marked him as a future All Black. He earned his coveted black jersey in 2008, scoring a try on debut against England. While his test career was brief, it opened doors to a rich and varied club career that became his hallmark. He became a globe-trotting professional, leaving a significant mark in Japan with the NEC Green Rockets and later becoming a fan favorite in France, first with Racing 92 and then for many seasons with Toulon. At Toulon, his consistency and try-scoring ability made him a stalwart during a golden era for the club. Tuitavake's story is not of fleeting stardom, but of a player who refined his game to thrive in different leagues for over a decade.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anthony was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anthony Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anthony's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned 5 caps for the New Zealand All Blacks, scoring a try on his international debut in 2008.
- Won the European Rugby Champions Cup with RC Toulon in the 2014-2015 season.
- Played over 100 matches for Toulon in the French Top 14, becoming a core part of their squad for six seasons.
- Was a key player for the Blues in Super Rugby, making over 50 appearances for the franchise.
Did You Know?
He is the older brother of former All Blacks and NRL star Isaia Toeava (who uses their mother's surname).
He played rugby sevens for New Zealand early in his career, including at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
He played for three different clubs in three different countries in just over a year (Crusaders/NZ, NEC/Japan, Racing 92/France).
He and his brother Isaia are both accomplished musicians who have performed publicly.
“You earn the right to go wide by first doing the hard work in close.”
