Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens joined the Highlanders in 2024 as an outside back and created some electric moments on the field during his 15 appearances for the Highlanders (that's every game) in 2024. 

Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens came out of Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth and was selected into the NZ Secondary Schools team in 2018 and 2019. As a 19-year-old, he commenced his professional career in 2020 playing for Taranaki in the NPC competition. He was then selected for the Blues Super Rugby team in 2021 before making the move South in 2024. 

During the 2024 NPC season Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens fractured a vertebrae in his neck, requiring emergency surgery, and is currently rehabbing his injury with a hope to return to the field during the 2025 Super Rugby season. 

Favourite rugby memory?

Winning the NPC with Taranaki in 2023 

Favourite singer?

Sabrina Carpenter

What inspires you?

My mum and the possibility of getting better every day