Ross Filipo
A versatile and powerful lock who forged a respected professional career across New Zealand and France, earning brief but coveted All Blacks selection.
Born 1979 (age 47)·NZ international rugby union player·Birthday: April 14·Generation X
Biography
Ross Filipo’s rugby story is one of resilience and versatility. A mainstay for Wellington in the provincial championship, his raw power and athleticism—uncommon for a man of his size—eventually earned him a Super Rugby contract with the Crusaders. In Christchurch, he thrived in a culture of excellence, his lineout work and ball-carrying strength making him a reliable figure in a star-studded pack. The pinnacle came in 2007 when, after consistent domestic form, he received the call to join the All Blacks, making his test debut against Canada. While his international window was brief, it represented the fulfillment of a dream for a player who maximized every ounce of his talent. After his time in New Zealand, Filipo embarked on a successful second act in the French Top 14 with Bayonne, where his experience and physicality made him a fan favorite. His career arc demonstrates that success isn't always measured in dozens of caps, but in the lasting respect earned from peers and supporters at every stop.
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.
Ross was born in 1979, 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 Ross Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Ross's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
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
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned selection for the All Blacks, making his test debut in 2007 against Canada.
- Was a long-serving and key player for the Wellington Lions in the Mitre 10 Cup (formerly Air New Zealand Cup).
- Played Super Rugby for the Crusaders, contributing to their successful campaigns in the late 2000s.
- Had a professional stint in France's Top 14 league with Bayonne, extending his career at a high level.
Did You Know?
Filipo is of Samoan descent.
He was known for his surprising agility and speed for a lock forward, occasionally playing in the loose forwards.
After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, taking on roles with Wellington's age-grade and development teams.
He played his 100th match for Wellington in 2013.
“I was never the biggest name, just a man who showed up and did the work.”
