Ben Herring
A fearless openside flanker whose hard-nosed play for the Hurricanes and Highlanders earned him a coveted All Black jersey in the professional era's crucible.
Born 1980 (age 46)·New Zealand rugby union footballer and coach·Birthday: March 14·Generation X
Biography
Ben Herring played rugby with the kind of relentless, abrasive energy that defines the openside flanker's role. In the crowded field of New Zealand loose forwards, he forced his way to the top through sheer work rate and defensive ferocity. His breakthrough came with the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, where his speed to the breakdown and tackling prowess made him a fan favorite. A move to the Highlanders in 2004 showcased his leadership, and his consistent form was finally rewarded with an All Blacks call-up that same year. While his test career was brief—a single cap against Italy—it represented the pinnacle for a player whose value was immense at the provincial and Super Rugby level. After retiring, he channeled his analytical understanding of the game into coaching, notably helping guide Japan's national team during their memorable 2015 World Cup campaign as a defensive specialist.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ben was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ben Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ben's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned a cap for the All Blacks in 2004, playing against Italy in Rome.
- Was a pivotal defensive leader for the Highlanders in Super Rugby, making over 50 appearances for the franchise.
- Played a key role in Wellington's 2000 NPC (National Provincial Championship) victory.
- Served as a defensive coach for the Japan national team during their historic 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign, which included a win over South Africa.
Did You Know?
He is the older brother of another All Black, Richard Herring, who also played flanker.
After his playing career, he became a successful firefighter in New Zealand.
He played his club rugby in New Zealand for the Oriental-Rongotai club in Wellington.
His All Blacks cap came on the 2004 end-of-year tour, coming off the bench in the 59-10 victory.
“The breakdown is a contest of wills, and I never intended to lose.”
