RICKY RICCITELLI

Position
Hooker

Blues debut
2022 v Hurricanes

Blues caps
38

Blues Points
70

Born
03/02/95

Height
178cm

Weight
110kg

Ricky Riccitelli is a hard-nosed Hooker from Taranaki and another product from the Francis Douglas Memorial College production line. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Riccitelli’s family made the move to Aotearoa when he was four years old. An accomplished sportsman through high school, Riccitelli played representative cricket as well as rugby. 

Ricky had many successful seasons with the Hurricanes, winning the Super Rugby Championship in 2016 and amassing 71 caps for the men from the Capital. His form was so reliable he was called into the All Blacks camp during the June series with France. Riccitelli returned to his home province of Taranaki for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season. 

Riccitelli joined the Blues in 2022, making nine appearances for the club in his debut season. The following year saw Riccitelli produce some of his best form where he earned the regular starting jersey ahead of Kurt Eklund and Soane Vikena. The dominant year continued with selection in the All Blacks XV team that toured Japan while he was also part of the victorious Taranaki NPC side, winning the final at home in New Plymouth.  

Ricky didn’t let 2023’s success get to him, knuckling down and continuing to wear the number two jersey on a regular basis in the Blues 2024 championship season. He appeared 14 times throughout the campaign, scoring five tries and had the honour of starting in the Grand Final at Eden Park against the Chiefs.  

Riccitelli is a player with an incredible work ethic - often one of the last at training doing extra skills and drills. He heads into 2025 at the top of his game and will be well up for the Blues title defence.  

Ricky is contracted with the Blues through until the end of the 2025 season.