New Zealand Fullback and All Blacks Sevens legend Kurt Baker played in Major League Rugby during the 2023 MLR season. He represented Old Glory DC for his entire MLR career.

Baker, a former New Zealand U20 player, made his New Zealand Sevens debut in Dubai in 2008 and played the following series in South Africa that year. He would go on to play in 233 games at 53 HSBC World Sevens Series Tournaments, winning 5 Series titles and 12 tournaments, with his final tournament being the 2022 Dubai Sevens. He played in three Rugby Sevens World Cups, winning Gold in 2013 in Russia and in 2018 in San Francisco, and a silver medal Cape Town in 2022. He also won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. On the XV side of the game, he has played for the Manawatu Turbos in NZs NPC between 2007-2008 and again in 2017, and played for both Taranaki (also in the NPC) and the Highlanders (in Super Rugby) between 2012-2015. He played in the PRO 12 for Zebre for the 2016/17 season before returning to New Zealand with the Hawke’s Bay Magpies in 2020.

Baker’s initial move stateside was announced by Old Glory DC in December 2022, joining as Player/Coach for the 2023 MLR season. He earned 10 MLR caps (all starts) for the Flags, scoring 2 tries as they earned their first ever Championship Series berth. On 23rd November 2023, Old Glory DC announced that Baker was leaning into coaching full time, and would return for the Flags in the 2024 MLR season as Attack Coach.

Achievements:

• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 9