Super Rugby Team Doctor

Team Doctor – Chiefs Super Rugby

Join one of New Zealand's leading high-performance rugby environments!

New Zealand Rugby is seeking an experienced and passionate medical practitioner to join the Chiefs as Team Doctor for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season and beyond.

This is a unique opportunity to work with one of New Zealand's premier professional rugby teams, providing expert medical care to elite athletes while helping deliver the highest standards of player health, welfare and performance.

The successful applicant will become part of New Zealand Rugby's nationally integrated rugby medicine network, working alongside experienced Super Rugby and National Team doctors within a collaborative clinical governance framework. This network is internationally recognised for its leadership in player welfare, concussion management, injury surveillance and evidence-informed clinical practice, providing opportunities to contribute to ongoing research, shared learning and the continuous development of world-class medical care.

Working within an experienced multidisciplinary performance team, you will provide clinical leadership across all aspects of player medical care. From pre-season screening and injury prevention through to provision of immediate pitch side care, rehabilitation and return-to-play decision making, you will play an integral role in ensuring players receive outstanding, evidence-informed medical care throughout the season.

You will join a high-performing, deeply connected environment where Chiefs Mana is proudly upheld: a collective spirit built on legacy, identity, community and unwavering pride in the Chiefs jersey. This is more than a job — it is a place within a whānau.

About the role

Key responsibilities include:

•    Providing medical leadership and comprehensive clinical care for the Chiefs playing squad throughout the Super Rugby season.
•    Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning staff, coaches and performance specialists to optimise player health and availability.
•    Leading the assessment and management of injury and illness, including concussion and return-to-play decision making.
•    Delivering player and staff education across key medical and player welfare topics.
•    Supporting NZ Rugby's injury surveillance programme, research initiatives and Clinical Governance Framework.
•    Travelling with the team throughout the Super Rugby Pacific season, both within New Zealand and internationally.

About you

You will be an experienced medical doctor who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced high-performance environment and enjoys working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team.

You will bring:

•    Current registration and Annual Practicing Certificate with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
•    Experience providing medical care within elite sport, preferably professional rugby or another high-performance team environment.
•    A postgraduate qualification in sports medicine or a related discipline (desirable).
•    Current World Rugby Immediate Care in Rugby (ICIR) Level 2 or 3 qualification, or a willingness to complete this on appointment.
•    Excellent clinical judgement, communication and organisational skills.
•    A commitment to evidence-based practice, continuous learning and delivering player-centred care.
•    High levels of professionalism, integrity and collaboration, aligned with the values of New Zealand Rugby, Te Ara Rangatira (The Rugby Way) and the Chiefs — Kaitiakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Rangatiratanga.

About Us

At NZR we love what we do, we work hard and have fun! You’ll be joining a team of awesome people who are passionate about the game and each other, and you’ll be backed with support to thrive in your role. We know that life isn’t all about work, so we are open to flexible working options.

Apply Now

If you're looking for the opportunity to work with elite athletes, contribute to one of the world's leading rugby programmes and make a genuine impact on player welfare and performance, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and cover letter via the link below.

>> The successful applicant will be required to complete a Ministry of Justice Criminal Convictions check and must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.

>> Applications close at 5:00 pm on Sunday 16 August

>> For a copy of the position description, click here