Mike Delany
A versatile fly-half and fullback whose tactical boot and calm leadership guided teams to crucial victories in Super Rugby and European club competitions.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Rugby player·Birthday: June 15·Millennials
Biography
Mike Delany emerged from the Bay of Plenty, a region known for producing rugged rugby talent. His career was a testament to persistence and footballing intelligence, qualities that saw him become a pivotal figure for the Chiefs and later the Crusaders in Super Rugby. Delany's game was built on a reliable kicking game, both from hand and at goal, and a sharp tactical mind that allowed him to control the tempo of matches. His journey extended to the Northern Hemisphere, where he spent several successful seasons with Clermont Auvergne in France's Top 14 and Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership, adapting his style to different leagues. While his All Blacks appearances were limited to a non-test match, his influence at the provincial level for Bay of Plenty and in top-tier club rugby abroad cemented his reputation as a player's player—a dependable, thinking man's footballer who maximized his skills.
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.
Mike 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 Mike Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Mike'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
- Won the Super Rugby title with the Chiefs in 2012, contributing key points throughout the season.
- Played a central role for Clermont Auvergne, helping them reach the Top 14 final in 2015.
- Kicked 22 points in a single Mitre 10 Cup match for Bay of Plenty against North Harbour in 2009.
- Represented the Māori All Blacks on multiple occasions, including a 2010 tour of Europe.
Did You Know?
He originally worked as a dairy farmer before his professional rugby career took off.
Delany is a qualified pilot and has a keen interest in aviation.
He played for three different Super Rugby franchises: the Chiefs, the Highlanders, and the Crusaders.
“The jersey is heavy. You carry everyone who helped you get here.”
