LAUGHLAN McWHANNELL

Position
Lock

Blues debut
2024 v Fijian Drua

Blues caps
11

Blues points
5

Born
20/10/1998

Height
198cm

Weight
114kg

Early on in his career, Laghlan McWhannell was a stand out performer for the New Zealand Under 20s in 2018, backing up the same year for his home province of Waikato. 

In 2019 McWhannell was announced the winner of a top award for personal development given out by the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA). 

At the age of 25, McWhannell made his Chiefs debut in 2022 after an unlucky run of injuries in 2020 and 2021 kept him on the sidelines. 

McWhannell came to the Blues in 2024 as a widely touted player with massive potential. He fit in seamlessly with the locking group, forming strong combinations with Sam Darry and skipper Patrick Tuipulotu. Despite having to sit on the sidelines for the back end of the Super campaign, McWhannell’s ability to win lineout ball and be a physical presence around the park earned him a spot in the Māori All Blacks touring party to Japan.  

After a strong 2024 campaign, McWhannell is back with the Blues in 2025 and will be looking to build on his impressive first season form and compete for a starting spot in the middle of the scrum.  

Laghlan is contracted with the Blues through until the end of the 2026 season.