Kane Thompson

Kane Gregory Thompson (born 9 January 1982) is a New Zealand-born rugby union coach and former player who played for the Samoa national rugby union team. He played professionally for several teams in New Zealand and in Europe during his 19-year playing career. He retired from playing in 2021, and has since served as head coach for NOLA Gold in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Playing career

Thompson debuted for the Highlanders in 2006. He showed he was well capable of stepping up to the higher level and he had a strong 2006/ 2007 season for the Highlanders and Southland. In 2007 he represented Manu Samoa at the Rugby World Cup and went on to represent U.S. Dax in the Top 14 in France. Kane represented Samoa at the 2011 Rugby World Cup before taking up a contract with Chiefs in 2012, who became Super Rugby champions in that year.

He played for the Chiefs in the 2012 Super Rugby, joining national teammate Mahonri Schwalger.

On 17 July 2014, Thompson signed for Newcastle Falcons who compete in the English Aviva Premiership from the 2014–15 season.

Kane also represented Samoa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Kane then went on to play for Manawatu in 2016, before moving on to play for Taranaki in 2017, 2018 before moving to play for NOLA Gold in the MLR Competition

Coaching Thompson served as player-coach for NOLA Gold in Major League Rugby, serving as forwards and defensive coach. He was named head coach in December 2021 ahead of the 2022 season. Thompson was named as assistant coach of Samoa in 2024 after a brief coaching stint with them in 2016 and 2021