Doug Howlett
A blisteringly fast All Black wing whose try-scoring record stood for over a decade, defining an era of New Zealand rugby dominance.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Rugby player·Birthday: September 21·Generation X
Biography
Doug Howlett wasn't just a winger; he was a finisher in the purest sense. The Auckland-born speedster, who debuted for the All Blacks in 2000, combined raw pace with an uncanny nose for the try line. In an era where New Zealand rugby was stocked with talent, Howlett's consistency made him indispensable. He terrorized defenses in Super Rugby for the Blues and later, in a celebrated move, brought his talents to Irish powerhouse Munster, where he became a fan favorite and won a Celtic League title. His crowning statistical achievement came in 2007 when he surpassed Christian Cullen to become the All Blacks' all-time leading try-scorer, a record he held until 2015. Howlett's game was built on more than just speed; he had a robust physicality and a sharp rugby brain, often appearing as if by magic to collect a kick or intercept a pass. His career, which included 62 tests and a World Cup appearance, embodies the lethal attacking ethos of the All Blacks during the 2000s.
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.
Doug was born in 1978, 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 Doug Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Doug's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the All Blacks' all-time leading try-scorer with 49 tries, a record held from 2007 to 2015.
- Won the Super Rugby title three times with the Auckland Blues (2003, 2005, 2006).
- Won a Celtic League title with Irish club Munster in 2011.
Did You Know?
He is of Māori and Niuean descent.
After retiring, he became the Head of Commercial and Marketing for Munster Rugby.
He was a talented track athlete in his youth, competing in the 100m and 200m sprints.
“My job was simple: see the line, get to the line, and finish.”
