Born: April 2, 1980 – Ōpōtiki
Test record: 3 Tests (2004-05) – 0 points
Tours: 2004 Tri Nations

Long-serving Warriors back-rower Wairangi Koopu made three Test appearances for New Zealand in 2004-05.

Ōpōtiki-born Koopu cut his teeth with Huntly-based club Taniwharau, later representing Waikato Cougars and Junior Kiwis as an 18-year-old in 1998. He moved to Auckland and turned out for Glenora Bears, before making six rookie-season NRL appearances for the Warriors in 1999.

Despite not featuring in first grade in 2000, he was chosen in Aotearoa Māori’s World Cup squad, playing in the win over Scotland and scoring a try in the loss to Ireland as a second-rower.

Koopu became a regular for the burgeoning Warriors in 2001 – regular filling in at centre – and came off the bench in the club’s historic 2002 grand final appearance.

The 24-year-old was the Warriors’ Player of the Year in their disastrous 2004 campaign, subsequently earning a Kiwis call-up for their Tri Nations campaign. He made his Test debut in a non-tournament match against France at lock and held that position for the 26-24 loss to Great Britain. Koopu also featured in the Anzac combination that played an exhibition game against Cumbria.

Koopu lined up in the second-row as New Zealand went down 32-16 in the 2005 Anzac Test in Brisbane. He scored a career-high nine tries and played every game for the Warriors that season – and played in the centres for a New Zealand A side that thumped a Kangaroos Invitational combination – but missed out on the triumphant Tri Nations foray at the end of the year.

The stalwart brought up 150 games for the Warriors in 2007 and featured in the finals series but fell out of favour in 2008. He moved to Melbourne Storm and turned out in 12 top-grade games, including their qualifying final defeat of Manly.

Returning to Auckland, he played for Point Chevalier Pirates in 2010.