Matthew Gary Moulds (born 15 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for Northland in the Bunnings NPC.[1][2][3][4][5] He has also previously represented New Zealand at rugby sevens.[6]
| Full name | Matthew Gary Moulds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 15 May 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kaipara, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Otamatea High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Jessica Moulds (sister) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editMoulds started out his career with the Northland Taniwha during the 2013 ITM Cup and quickly established himself as a regular member of their starting fifteen. 2014 was a good year for both the Taniwha, who finished 3rd in the Championship standings with 5 wins and 5 losses and for Moulds, who played 10 times and scored 2 tries.
2015 and 2016 saw Moulds captain the Taniwha in what turned out to be 2 disappointing seasons. As captain, however, he was a guaranteed starter and made 16 appearances across the 2 seasons, scoring 1 try.[2]
Impressive performances at provincial level were rewarded in 2015, when he was named in the Blues wider training group for the 2015 Super Rugby season.[7] He made 1 appearance in his debut season, as a replacement in a match against the Stormers, but further good provincial performances saw him named in the Blues full squad for 2016. The presence of experienced hookers in the shape of All Black James Parsons and the well traveled Quentin MacDonald meant game time was rare for Moulds who had to take the role of third choice for the Blues. He did get on the field twice during the season, with both appearances coming from the bench.[2]
Moulds was again named in the Blues squad for 2017 where he would compete with Parsons and Waikato newcomer Hame Faiva for the number 2 shirt.[4]
On 25 April 2019, Moulds moved to England to join Gallagher Premiership side Worcester Warriors.[8]
On 27 September 2021, Moulds was released by Worcester as he signed for local rivals Gloucester on a short term deal.[9]
On 16 January 2022, after he left Gloucester, Moulds traveled to the US as he signed for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR).[10]
International career
editMoulds was a member of the New Zealand sevens wider training squad in early 2014 and was part of the side which competed in the Wellington Sevens in February 2014.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Matt Moulds Northland Taniwha Player Profile". Taniwha Rugby. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ a b c "Matt Moulds itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "Matt Moulds ESPN Scrum Player Profile". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Blues 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ "Matt Moulds Blues Player Profile". Blues Rugby. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ "Matt Moulds New Zealand Sevens Player Profile". All Blacks.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "Blues 2015 Squad Naming" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "Matt Moulds: Hooker to join Worcester next season from New Zealand side Blues". BBC Sport. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ "Gloucester Rugby sign former Worcester Warrior Matt Moulds". Worcester News. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Legion lands Premiership hooker Matt Moulds". Americas Rugby News. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Matt Moulds on cusp of NZ selection". The New Zealand Herald. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.