Apa Twidle
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Te Hurinui Apanui Twidle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 15 December 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Halfback, Wing, Fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 31 August 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Te Hurinui ‘Apa’ Twidle is a New Zealand rugby league player who plays for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL.[1]
Career
At 16, Twidle moved to Queensland from New Zealand, he played in the Queensland Rugby League's Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup competitions, as well as at local club Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies.[2]
Twidle was scouted by Parramatta Eels and played in their NSWRL premiership winning under-18 in 2023. He went on to play for the under-21s and then for the reserves side.[3][4][5]
The weekend before his NRL debut he scored four tries in a 26–26 draw with Penrith in NSW Cup.
He was selected in the wider squad for the fifth round of the 2026 NRL season against the Wests Tigers. After Bailey Simonsson came off due to an ankle dislocation, Twidle came onto the pitch, within 30 seconds of being on the pitch in his first carry Twidle scored a try. He went on to score another try for Parramatta in the 20–22 loss.[6][4][7]
On 1 May 2026, Twidle signed a three-year deal to join the newly admitted Perth side ahead of the 2027 NRL season.[8]
References
- ↑ "Apa Twidle". Rugby League Project.
- ↑ "Special bond, heartbreaking loss behind Twidle's NRL debut". 1News. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rising Eels pair send huge halves statement; Dogs flyer sparks Ciraldo dilemma — Ressies Wrap". Fox Sports. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Twidle dedicates dazzling debut to his mum and his mentor". National Rugby League. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Early verdict on Eels' star halves recruit as Ryles unearths hidden gem — What we learned". Fox Sports. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ ""Two touches, two tries": Apa Twidle bags debut double as mum arrives just in time". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Breakout NRL rookie Apa Twidle's tragic tribute after wild Eels debut". Fox Sports. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Perth Bears hit back with confirmed double signing". www.zerotackle.com.