Everything you need to know about Ethan Blackadder, the All Blacks rugby player

Everything you need to know about Ethan Blackadder, the All Blacks rugby player

Ciku Njuguna
March 5, 2024 at 12:39 PM

Ethan Blackadder is a rugby union player for the New Zealand national team and the Crusaders. While he has missed a large chunk of the 2023/24 season, his contribution to the Crusaders for the last seven seasons can not be understated. Dive into details of the All-Black's star and the reason behind his absence.

Ethan Blackadder in action.
On the left, Ethan Blackadder (in red) in action against the Melbourne Rebels. He (inset) controls the lineout ball for Tasman Mako. Photo by Matt King/Martin Hunter.
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

Is Ethan related to Todd Blackadder? The Crusaders player is a legacy child related to one of the best All Blacks rugby players of all time. This article investigates his background, career and achievements.

Ethan Blackadder's profile summary

Full name

Ethan Julian Blackadder

Nickname

Big Scratcher, Doofy

Date of birth

22 March 1995

Age

28 years old as of February 2024

Place of birth

Rangiora, New Zealand

Nationality

New Zealander

Height

193 centimetres (6'3")

Weight

110.7 kilograms (244 lbs)

Parents

Priscilla and Todd

Siblings

1

Education

Collingwood Primary School, Stokes School, Nelson College

Profession

Professional rugby player

International test debut

July 2021

Positions

Back row

Teams

Crusaders, Tasman, New Zealand's national rugby team

Active years

2013 - present

Net worth

$1 million - $5 million

Ethan Blackadder's biography

The All Blacks back-rower was born to Todd and Priscilla Blackadder in Rangiora, New Zealand. The family moved to Edinburgh when he was seven. After a year, Ethan and his sister, Shinae, moved back to New Zealand in Golden Bay to live with their grandparents. Later, the siblings moved with their mum to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Bio facts about Ethan Blackadder.
All Blacks' Ethan Blackadder poses for a portrait on July 28, 2021, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo by Hannah Peters.
Source: Getty Images

His father, Todd, is a retired All Blacks player turned coach. While Todd did not actively push his son into the sport, his son credits him for being an exemplary figure for him. Speaking on the Mako Rugby Roundup, the rugby star said,

"Toddy, Dad is one of my best mates. I get along very well with Dad. He is a top man, and I learned a lot from him."

When asked why he chose to take time before going professional, Ethan Blackadder commented on his relationship with Todd, saying,

"I did not enjoy the game. There were little bits that definitely did not allow me to enjoy the game, but also I was into other hobbies, so it was easier to step away from it. I had to get to an age where I could deal with it, and then once I got there, it was easy and simple."

He added,

"Todd never said anything. There were never any discussions about why I was not playing footy. He has been supportive and let me do my thing, which is how it has always been."
Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder catches the ball.
Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder catches the ball during the Super Rugby Super Round match against the Highlanders at AAMI Park on March 03, 2023. Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Bursty PR.
Source: Getty Images

Is Ethan Blackadder married?

At the time of writing, reports suggest that Ethan Blackadder does not have a wife or girlfriend. Details of his dating life have yet to be revealed to the public.

How old is Ethan Blackadder?

Born on 22 March 1995, he is 28 years old as of February 2024. Based on Ethan Blackadder's age, his zodiac sign is Aries.

How tall is Ethan Blackadder?

According to his All Black profile, Ethan Blackadder's height is six feet and two inches tall (190 centimetres). He weighs 244.7 lbs (111 kilograms).

What school did Ethan Blackadder go to?

He attended Collingwood Primary School, Stoke School and Nelson College, where he actively participated in various sports. Besides rugby, he played cricket between seven and thirteen years. He also played junior rugby for Stoke School in the Under-12 and Under-13 teams.

Tasman's Ethan Blackadder (in red) wins a lineout.
Tasman's Ethan Blackadder (in red) wins a lineout during a Mitre 10 Cup match against Manawatu at Central Energy Trust Arena on September 19, 2018. Photo by Hagen Hopkins.
Source: Getty Images

Career

The number 1195 loose forward's footy career began at Stoke and Nelson College. He played for the Under-13 and Under-14 teams before taking a break from the sport. Sports Brief has used various authoritative sources to give details of Ethan Blackadder's stats and highlights of his rugby journey over the years.

What position does Ethan Blackadder play?

According to Ethan Blackadder's All Rugby profile, he is a back-row player. He has occupied the blindside flanker, openside flanker and number 8 positions throughout his career. The versatile player can also play in the lock and loose forward positions.

Who does Ethan Blackadder play for?

The back-rower plays for the Crusaders and the New Zealand national rugby union team. However, at the time of writing, Ethan Blackadder is injured and out of action. Here is a summary of his club and international career stats.

Team

Period

Matches

Wins

Draws

Losses

Points

Tasman Mako

2016-2017

2

2

0

0

35

Crusaders

2017-present

36

30

1

5

-

All Blacks

2021-present

10

8

0

2

0

Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder in action.
Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder in action during a Super Rugby Pacific match against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on April 24, 2022. Photo by Graham Denholm.
Source: Getty Images

Awards

At the start of his Pro career in 2016, he led the Tasman Mako to a win, earning himself the 2016 Tasman Trophy. Here is a summary of the trophies he has won since then.

  • 2016 Tasman Trophy
  • 2018 Buccaneers Senior Rugby Player of the Year
  • 2018 Players' Mako Man
  • 2018 Gallantry Award (Defender)
  • 2018 Crusader's Rookie of the Year
  • 2021, 2022 Champion Crusaders of the Year

Frequently asked questions

He is considered among the best current All Blacks players. Here are some facts about his personal and professional life.

1. Is Ethan Blackadder on Instagram?

The back-rower is not on any social media platform. Speaking on What A Lad, he revealed reasons behind his choice, saying,

"I got rid of it a couple of years ago. I am off Facebook and Instagram. I wasted too much time on all that, so I thought I should pull the trigger and get it out of my life, and I have not looked back."

2. What happened to Ethan Blackadder?

The standout back-rower is one of New Zealand's injured players in the 2023/24 season. News from the All Blacks' camp reported that Ethan Blackadder's injury set him up for a three to four-week absence.

Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder (centre) in action.
Crusaders' Ethan Blackadder (centre) in action during the Super Rugby match against the Chiefs at Christchurch Stadium on March 09, 2019. Photo by Kai Schwoerer.
Source: Getty Images

Final Word

Ethan Blackadder is one of the most famous international players in the 2023/24 season. However, his injury and resting period have dampened fans' expectations of seeing him in action.

READ ALSO: All you need to know about Deon Fourie, the Springboks player

Sports Brief has published an article on one of the most prolific rugby union players in South Africa, Deon Fourie. Deon won the 2023 Rugby World Cup Mastercard Player of the Match award after helping set up South Africa for the RWC win during the tournament's final match against Tonga. Click on the link above to discover every detail of the Springboks flanker and his personal and professional achievements.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.
Tags
Rugby World Cup