Rising Star Simpson Ready to Shine for Blues
Auckland, New Zealand – – Rico Simpson, the highly touted fly-half for the Blues, is poised to make a significant impact in the 2026 Super Rugby season. With All Blacks veteran Beauden Barrett sidelined for the opening weeks, Simpson has a golden opportunity to establish himself as a key player and live up to the expectations that have followed him since his schoolboy days.
Simpson, who spent last year as part of the wider Blues squad, feels more comfortable and prepared this season. “I think I took a lot of it as I went along the way,” Simpson said. “Guys in similar positions I got to be alongside, I think it’s always going to be part of the game. You’re always going to have those expectations and pressures from fans, coaches. It’s kind of been a part of me since probably year 13.”
The opportunity presented by Barrett’s absence is not lost on the young playmaker. While acknowledging the pressure, Simpson remains focused on his own development. “Last year I got to just get a taste of it and now I think there is probably expectations of me to be playing good enough footy to get a crack. And with Beaudy out, it might be potential there, but I’m just here to just keep learning developing as a player.”
Simpson credits Barrett himself with aiding his transition into the professional ranks. “He has been really helpful, keeping in contact with me and making sure I’m clear on everything and just helping me out with the nitty gritty parts of the game, which is really cool to see. I think he’s obviously had a lot of years playing high level rugby, so it’s good to just hear the little details that he likes to use and implement in his game.”
The Blues’ newest star isn’t a stranger to high-performance environments, having spent two years with the New Zealand Under 20’s side, including a strong showing at the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship. Simpson believes that experience has smoothed his path to Super Rugby. “It’s been a lot easier of a transition for me. I’m fully immersed in the squad now, on the development contracts, you’re in and out of the Blues and the Under 20s, so I think being in one place and really just nailing the parts of your game you want to get right has probably the best thing for me.”
Simpson’s journey to the Blues was a lifelong ambition, growing up in Auckland and idolizing players who now stand alongside him. “Growing up in Auckland, born here, raised, went to school here, it’s always been a dream. I’ve always looked at the Blues and wanted to be a part of that.” He specifically mentioned Stephen Perofeta and Barrett as players he looked up to. “When I first came in, it was a pretty surreal moment, to see those guys on TV and then be training alongside them. So as a young fella, it’s good to get alongside those guys and chew heaps of fat around the game and I think you get to learn a lot.”
His success began at Sacred Heart College, where he played a pivotal role in their historic 1A victory in 2023 – the school’s first title in 65 years. Simpson was able to share that triumph with his brother, adding another layer of significance to the achievement. “I got to do it alongside my brother, which is also another cool thing. Sacred will always be part of me and I think that really developed me as a player and it got me to where I am today.”
The Simpson family’s rugby aspirations don’t end with Rico. His siblings, Keanu and Cruiz, are also progressing through the ranks, and Rico harbors a dream of playing alongside them for the Blues. “Yeah, one day, the three Simpson boys in the Blues, that’s the plan.”
Simpson’s talent was also recognized by national selectors, who entrusted him with the number 10 jersey for the New Zealand Under 20’s team, a jersey previously worn by Barrett, and Perofeta. He views his time with the U20’s as invaluable preparation for the professional game. “International level was always a step ahead of everything, and I think it really helped me learn different parts of the game that I probably didn’t quite get it at school level and regional stuff.”
Simpson’s ambition aligns with the aspirations of every young New Zealand rugby player: to wear the black jersey of the All Blacks. “I think as a Kiwi kid playing footy, that’s (the All Blacks) always the end goal and it’s always been a dream of mine.”
At 6ft 5in, Simpson possesses a commanding presence in the backline, and he identifies his kicking game and running ability as key strengths. “I’ve always prided myself on my kicking game and I think along the years my running game has started to develop and that’s something I want to keep working on. Obviously as a taller fella, taking the line on and offloading has always been a strength of mine, so those two things are probably something that I always hang my hat on.”
Despite the challenges of the 2025 season, Simpson and the Blues remain confident in their ability to defend their title and send coach Vern Cotter off with a winning sendoff. “We always believe we can do that. The boys are really switched on and ready to go, we are ready to rip into the year and there’s a lot of confidence, a younger squad, but we’ve still got that confidence that we can go all the way.”
