New England Free Jacks Beaudein Waaka Returns

New England Free Jacks re-signed Beaudein Waaka for the remainder of the 2023 Major League Rugby season and through 2025. The 29-year-old flyhalf/fullback is 5’11”, and 200lbs.

Beaudein played 1131 minutes in 16 matches, starting 15, and scoring 154 points for the Free Jacks in 2022. He then left the team to sign with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan’s Rugby League 1, in Division 1. He played 81 minutes in 4 matches and scored one try.

Beaudein played 1149 minutes in 15 matches as a starter for the Free Jacks in 2021. He played fullback then flyhalf, scored 2 tries, and kicked 21 conversions and 17 penalty goals, scoring 103 points during the season.

During the 2020 season, Beaudein started in week 1 against RUNY, and his skill and his experience were evident. After missing three games due to a shoulder injury, he returned for Week 5 against the NOLA Gold, carrying eight times for 96 meters. He ended with 96 minutes and 12 points through 2 tries and a conversion. Since the conclusion of the truncated season, he has played with Melville in Waikato’s premier competition and trained for the Mitre 10 Waikato side.

Beaudein is from Ruatoki North, New Zealand. He attended Gisborne Boys High School where he played rugby and helped the team become Super 8 Champions in 2011. He won selected to the New Zealand School and Hurricanes Schools during 2011-2012, played for Melville Rugby Club in 2011, Clifton Rugby Club from 2012-2013, the Hurricanes Preseason training squad in 2012, and the Chiefs Development team in 2013.

In 2013 he began playing for Taranaki through 2018 in the ITM Cup, which became the Mitre 10 Cup. The team won the 2014 Championship. In 2019 he has played with Manly in the Shute Shield in Sydney,

All Blacks Sevens

Beaudein played with the New Zealand All Blacks Sevens team from 2015-2018, playing in 14 tournaments and scoring 18 tries. His sister Stacey, also debuted for the Black Ferns that year.