Source: Radio New Zealand
Rico Simpson of Auckland during the 2025 NPC at Eden Park. Photosport
Rico Simpson is no stranger to expectation.
The schoolboy prodigy has been long tipped as the next star off the New Zealand rugby conveyor belt.
Now in his first, full-time Super Rugby season, Simpson is looking to become a household name and fill the boots of one of the world’s best.
After a year spent in the wider squad, Simpson said he feels more comfortable now both in the team and with the hype surrounding him.
“I think I took a lot of it as I went along the way, guys in similar positions I got to be alongside, I think it’s always going to be part of the game. You’re always going to have those expectations and pressures from fans, coaches. It’s kind of been a part of me since probably year 13.”
With Beauden Barrett sitting the first few weeks of Super Rugby out, the door is open for Simpson.
Rico Simpson of New Zealand is tackled by Finn Treacy of Ireland during the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship 3rd/4th playoff between Ireland and Zealand at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on 19 July 2024. Photosport
“Last year I got to just get a taste of it and now I think there is probably expectations of me to be playing good enough footy to get a crack. And with Beaudy out, it might be potential there, but I’m just here to just keep learning developing as a player.”
Simpson said the 145-test All Black has been an integral part of his assimilation at the Blues.
“He has been really helpful, keeping in contact with me and making sure I’m clear on everything and just helping me out with the nitty gritty parts of the game, which is really cool to see. I think he’s obviously had a lot of years playing high level rugby, so it’s good to just hear the little details that he likes to use and implement in his game.”
Simpson is not new to the high performance environment, spending two years with the New Zealand Under 20’s, playing in last year’s championship final against the Junior Springboks.
“It’s been a lot easier of a transition for me. I’m fully immersed in the squad now, on the development contracts, you’re in and out of the Blues and the Under 20s, so I think being in one place and really just nailing the parts of your game you want to get right has probably the best thing for me.”
Simpson converts a penalty during the at the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship game between Wales and New Zealand in 2024. Photosport
Pulling on the Blues jersey was always an ambition for the Aucklander.
“Growing up in Auckland, born here, raised, went to school here, it’s always been a dream. I’ve always looked at the Blues and wanted to be a part of that.”
He grew up idolising the likes of Stephen Perofeta and Barrett, men he now calls teammates.
“When I first came in, it was a pretty surreal moment, to see those guys on TV and then be training alongside them. So as a young fella, it’s good to get alongside those guys and chew heaps of fat around the game and I think you get to learn a lot.”
Simpson was a key cog in Sacred Heart’s first XV where he spent three years and helped guide them to an historic 1A victory in 2023, the school’s first title in 65 years.
“I got to do it alongside my brother, which is also another cool thing. Sacred will always be part of me and I think that really developed me as a player and it got me to where I am today.”
Simpson celebrates with team mates at the final whistle in the First XV Schools Rugby Union 1A Final. Photosport
Simpson’s siblings and fellow Sacred Heart stars Keanu and Cruiz are also on a trajectory for higher honours, with Rico hoping they can all run out together on Eden Park one day.
“Yeah, one day, the three Simpson boys in the Blues, that’s the plan.”
His success at Sacred caught the eye of national selectors who handed Simpson the coveted number 10 jersey for the U20’s side, the same one worn by fellow Blues Barrett and Perofeta.
“International level was always a step ahead of everything, and I think it really helped me learn different parts of the game that I probably didn’t quite get it at school level and regional stuff.”
For Simpson, it was the first of many black jerseys he hopes to wear.
“I think as a Kiwi kid playing footy, that’s (the All Blacks) always the end goal and it’s always been a dream of mine.”
Standing at 6ft 5in, Simpson is an imposing presence in the backline.
Sacred Heart first five-eighth Rico Simpson scores a try during the Saint Kentigern College vs Sacred Heart College First XV Schools Rugby Union 1A Final in 2023. Photosport
“I’ve always prided myself on my kicking game and I think along the years my running game has started to develop and that’s something I want to keep working on. Obviously as a taller fella, taking the line on and offloading has always been a strength of mine, so those two things are probably something that I always hang my hat on.”
Simpson said that despite a tough 2025, the Blues have full belief they can replicate their 2024 title run, and send coach vern Cotter off in winning style.
“We always believe we can do that. The boys are really switched on and ready to go, we are ready to rip into the year and there’s a lot of confidence, a younger squad, but we’ve still got that confidence that we can go all the way.”
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
