| Born | (2003-08-31) 31 August 2003 Hastings, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hastings Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative | Devan Flanders (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cooper Flanders (born 31 August 2003) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay. His preferred position is flanker or number 8.[1]
Early career
Flanders was born in Hastings and attended Hastings Boys' High School where he played rugby for the first XV, originally as a halfback before converting to loose forward.[2] His performances for the school earned him selection for the New Zealand Schools side in 2021.[3] After leaving school he joined up with the Hurricanes academy, representing their U18 side in 2021,[4] and U20 side in 2022.[5] In 2023, he was selected for the New Zealand U20 side.[6] He is the brother of fellow Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay player Devan Flanders.[7]
Professional career
Flanders has represented Hawke's Bay in the National Provincial Championship since 2024, being named in the squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC.[8] He was named in the Hurricanes wider training group for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.[9]
References
- ^ "Cooper Flanders". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "'I got sick of passing the ball': Former halfback's journey to New Zealand U20s as a No 8". Rugby Pass. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Former Hastings 1st XV players crack national rugby teams". NZ Herald. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Identified U18 talent selected for Hurricanes development camp". Hurricanes. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Hurrricanes under 20s squad named". Hurricanes. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand Under 20 squad named for the World Rugby U20 Championship". NZ Rugby. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Rugby: Loosie poised to better brother's feats". NZ Herald. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Magpies 2025 Bunnings NPC squad confirmed". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Hurricanes unveil 12-man wider training group for 2026". Hurricanes (Press release). 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
External links
- Cooper Flanders at ItsRugby.co.uk
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