New Zealander · Christchurch, New Zealand · Born 31 March 1991Codie Taylor is a New Zealand hooker and mainstay of the All Blacks front row, part of the 2015 World Cup-winning squad.
Codie Joshua Dane Taylor was born on 31 March 1991 in Levin, New Zealand, and attended Feilding High School, having grown up partly in Australia, where he played rugby league before switching codes back to union. He was part of the New Zealand under-20 squad that won the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, before making his provincial debut for Canterbury in 2012 and his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2013. Taylor made his All Blacks debut in 2015 and was part of that year's World Cup-winning squad, developing into one of the most dynamic hookers in the international game, renowned for his speed, physicality, and unusual try-scoring instincts for a front-row forward. In 2017, he played 13 of New Zealand's 14 Tests, cementing his status as the country's first-choice hooker. Taylor's standout individual performance came in October 2016, when he scored a try off a driving maul in a dominant win over South Africa in Durban, and he continued to be a mainstay of the All Blacks' front row throughout the following decade, captaining the Crusaders to a Super Rugby title in 2020. Taylor has earned dozens of caps for New Zealand across more than a decade of international duty, and remains one of the most respected and durable hookers in the modern game, valued as much for his consistency as for his explosive contributions in open play.
All Blacks hooker, 2015 World Cup winner
How They Played
Taylor is renowned for his exceptional lineout throwing accuracy and ability to hit his targets under pressure. His mobility around the field sets him apart from traditional hookers, offering strong ball-handling skills and the pace to support attacking plays in wide channels.
Lasting Impact
Taylor has been part of the modern evolution of the hooker position, demonstrating how the role has expanded beyond traditional set-piece duties to include dynamic field play.
Career Honours
- 2015 Rugby World Cup winner
- Rugby Championship titles
- Super Rugby title with Crusaders
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crusaders | 2014–2024 | 132 | 0 | #2 |
| Canterbury | 2013–2024 | 84 | — | — |
 New Zealand | — | 78 | — | — |
New Zealander Athletes