Joe Johnston Bio
Joe Johnston (born 31 January 1998) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a flanker for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR). Standing 1.87 m tall and weighing 101 kg, he combines the physical profile of a modern back-row forward with the mobility expected at the breakdown. Across his career he has represented New Zealand provincial sides and played professionally in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, winning multiple MLR championships with the Free Jacks.
Johnston first drew national attention while captaining a strong school side and has since developed into a reliable, lineout-capable flanker known for his work rate around the ruck. His career path has taken him from New Zealand secondary schools to the Mitre 10 Cup, a short stint with the China Lions in Global Rapid Rugby, and the professional ranks of American Major League Rugby.
Early Life and Background
Joe Johnston was born on 31 January 1998 in New Zealand and raised in the country. He attended Kings College in Auckland for his final two years of high school, arriving in 2015 and leaving after the 2016 academic year. Kings College has a long tradition of producing competitive rugby teams, and Johnston slotted into that environment quickly.
He made an immediate impact on the historically strong Kings College first fifteen, helping the Auckland boys’ school to a top-four national finish in 2015. The following season he was named captain of the side, a notable mark of trust for a senior player still in the school ranks. Johnston’s mother grew up in Boston, and his father played rugby in New England, giving him an early family connection to the region where he would later build his professional career.
Path to Rugby
Johnston’s school form in 2016 put him on the national radar. That year he was selected for, and captained, the New Zealand Schools Barbarians side that won the Trans-Tasman shield against Australian age-group opposition. Captaining a national selection while still in his final year of high school confirmed his standing as one of the country’s most promising young flankers.
After finishing at Kings College, Johnston entered the New Zealand provincial system with Bay of Plenty, where he played during the 2019 and 2020 Mitre 10 Cup seasons. In 2020 he was also selected to play for the China Lions in the Global Rapid Rugby competition, gaining international exposure beyond the traditional New Zealand calendar. These steps bridged his school career and his eventual move into full-time professional rugby overseas.
Joe Johnston Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Johnston’s senior career began with Bay of Plenty in 2019, where he featured in the Mitre 10 Cup across the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Playing provincial rugby in New Zealand gave him regular senior minutes as a young flanker and helped him adjust to the physical demands of the professional game.
During the 2020 season, while still attached to Bay of Plenty, Johnston was selected for the China Lions in Global Rapid Rugby, broadening his experience against a mix of international players. The combination of provincial rugby and the Global Rapid Rugby competition established him as a forward ready for a full professional contract abroad.
New England Free Jacks Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Johnston signed with the New England Free Jacks ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season, beginning his longest professional association. In his debut MLR campaign he appeared in 14 games and scored 3 tries, quickly establishing himself as a regular in the back row. He built on that start during the 2022 season, playing 17 games and again crossing for 3 tries as the Free Jacks continued to grow as a franchise.
During the 2023 MLR season Johnston played 17 games and scored 2 tries, playing a key role as the Free Jacks won their first-ever MLR championship. After that title run, he returned to New Zealand and joined Waikato for the remainder of the 2023 provincial season. The mid-year move underlined his standing as a player capable of contributing at both MLR and NPC level in the same calendar year.
Bay of Plenty and Return to the Free Jacks (2024–2025)
For the 2024 NPC season Johnston linked up again with Bay of Plenty, producing one of his strongest provincial campaigns. He scored 8 tries in 12 games and helped the side reach the NPC final, where they ultimately fell to Wellington. His try-scoring rate from the back row highlighted an attacking edge to complement his defensive work.
In 2025 Johnston rejoined the New England Free Jacks and reached his 50th cap for the franchise on 3 February. Serving as captain, he featured in 19 games and scored 2 tries as the Free Jacks claimed their third straight MLR championship. The return cemented his status as a long-term leader of the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnston operates as a traditional openside or blindside flanker, effective at the breakdown, around the ruck, and on the edge of the lineout. His 1.87 m frame and 101 kg weight allow him to compete physically at the collision, while his mobility supports a busy tackling and pilfering role. Over multiple MLR seasons with the Free Jacks he has been trusted to captain the side, reflecting the coaching staff’s confidence in his decision-making and on-field communication.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Johnston captained the New Zealand Schools Barbarians to the Trans-Tasman shield in 2016, helped the Free Jacks to their first MLR title in 2023, captained Bay of Plenty to the 2024 NPC final, and lifted a third straight MLR championship with the Free Jacks in 2025 while passing 50 caps for the club.
Joe Johnston Career Wins
Joe Johnston’s verified career wins include the 2016 Trans-Tasman shield with the New Zealand Schools Barbarians, the 2023 MLR championship with the New England Free Jacks, the Baywide Championship with Te Puke at club level in New Zealand, and the 2025 MLR championship as captain of the Free Jacks, their third straight title.
New England Free Jacks Highlights
Johnston has been a central figure in the Free Jacks’ rise across Major League Rugby. He debuted in 2021, reached his 50th cap on 3 February 2025, and captained the side to the 2025 MLR championship, the franchise’s third consecutive title. Across his MLR seasons with the club he has been a regular starter in the back row, contributing tries in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his MLR achievements, Johnston captained the New Zealand Schools Barbarians to the Trans-Tasman shield in 2016 and later won the Baywide Championship at club level with Te Puke after returning to New Zealand following the 2023 MLR season. He also reached the 2024 NPC final with Bay of Plenty, scoring 8 tries in 12 games before the side lost to Wellington.
Joe Johnston Family
Family Background and Rugby Lineage
Joe Johnston comes from a family with ties to both New Zealand and the United States. His mother grew up in Boston, and his father played rugby in New England, links that helped shape his later move to the New England Free Jacks. His brother, Alex Johnston, also plays rugby professionally, continuing the family’s involvement in the sport.
Personal Life
After the 2023 MLR season, Johnston chose to return to New Zealand, where he completed a degree in business management and worked in construction. During that period he played club rugby and won the Baywide Championship with Te Puke before deciding to return to professional rugby with Bay of Plenty and, subsequently, the Free Jacks.
2025 Season Performance
Joe Johnston’s 2025 campaign has been defined by his return to the New England Free Jacks and a leadership role within the squad. He reached his 50th cap for the franchise on 3 February and was named captain, underscoring his standing among the MLR’s most experienced flankers.
He went on to feature in 19 games during the season and scored 2 tries as the Free Jacks captured their third straight MLR championship. The combination of captaincy, consistent selection, and a title run places Johnston at the centre of the franchise’s ongoing dynasty.
Looking across the broader picture, Johnston’s 2025 form continues a pattern of high try-scoring output from the back row, mirroring his 8 tries in 12 games for Bay of Plenty in 2024. With a championship secured and 50 Free Jacks caps to his name, he remains a cornerstone of the club’s forward pack heading into future MLR seasons.