Hayden Triggs
Birth date22 February 1982 (age 44)
Birth placeLower Hutt, New Zealand
Height2.01m
Weight108kg
OccupationArmy mechanic
Years 12011–2014
Clubs 1Honda Heat
Apps 113
Points 10
Provinceyears 12002–2008
Provinceyears 22009–2010
Provinceyears 32014–2015
Provinceyears 42015–2017
Province 1Manawatu
Province 2Otago
Province 4Leinster
Provinceapps 170
Provinceapps 226
Provinceapps 320
Provinceapps 427
Provincepoints 155
Provincepoints 210
Provincepoints 30
Provincepoints 415
Superyears 12007
Superyears 22008–2010
Superyears 32011
Superyears 42014–2015
Super 1Hurricanes
Super 2Highlanders
Super 3Chiefs
Super 4Blues
Superapps 11
Superapps 236
Superapps 33
Superapps 424
Superpoints 10
Superpoints 210
Superpoints 30
Superpoints 40
Repteam 1Māori All Blacks
Repyears 12007–17
Repcaps 19
Reppoints 15

Hayden Triggs (born 22 February 1982) is a New Zealand former rugby union player who played as a lock. He last played for Leinster in the Pro14.

Provincial

A former Army mechanic, Triggs was a long-time regular in the Manawatu side, earning 70 caps between 2002 and 2008. Following his signing by the Highlanders in Super 14, Triggs transferred to Otago, appearing in 13 matches in 2009. In the 2010 ITM Cup, Triggs started all 13 matches for Otago and registered two tries. Following the 2010 season, Triggs transferred to Waikato to be closer to his family on the North Island.

Super Rugby

Following his strong performances for Manawatu, Triggs received an opportunity to graduate to the Super 14 competition in 2007 with the Hurricanes, but was limited to only one appearance as a substitute. He had previously been a part of the Hurricanes' Wider Training Group in 2006. For 2008, Triggs moved to the Highlanders, where he emerged as a squad regular making 11 appearances including 7 starts. In 2009, Triggs appeared in all 13 Highlanders matches, starting in 10 of them.

In 2010, Triggs started the season as a substitute behind All-Black Tom Donnelly and Josh Bekhuis, but following a season-ending injury to Donnelly Triggs started the final 8 matches of the season. During this stretch, he scored his first two tries in Super Rugby, and his strong performances saw him selected to the New Zealand Māori squad at year-end.

For the 2011 Super Rugby season, Triggs transferred to the Chiefs. However, he found himself down the pecking order, and made only three appearances during the campaign.

In 2014 he was called into the Blues to replace the injured Culum Retallick.[1]

International

Triggs was first selected to the New Zealand Māori squad for the 2007 Churchill Cup tournament, where he made three appearances (Canada, Ireland A, England Saxons). In 2008, Triggs was again selected for the Māori squad for the Pacific Nations Cup but was ruled out before the tournament because of a stress fracture to his foot. Triggs was again selected to the New Zealand Māori for their 2010 Centenary Series. He scored a try against the Barbarians, and started in the squad's historic victories over Ireland and England.

Coaching

On 30 October 2025, Triggs was appointed as the new Head Coach of Hurricanes Poua for the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki season.[2][3]

Personal life

Triggs is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Ngāti Kahungunu descent).[4]

References

  1. ^ "Hayden Triggs called into Blues squad". Blues. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Hayden Triggs to lead Hurricanes Poua in 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki". www.hurricanes.co.nz. 2025-10-30. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
  3. ^ Cameron, Ian (2025-10-30). "Ex-Leinster lock Hayden Triggs lands major Hurricanes role". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
  4. ^ "5 players from Ngāti Porou named in "Maori All Blacks"". Ngāti Porou East Coast. 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
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