Joe Royal (rugby union)

Joseph Wirihana Royal (born 31 May 1985 in Rotorua, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the hooker (and occasionally prop) position for provincial side Auckland Gulls and for New Zealand's Māori international side the Māori All Blacks. Royal has previously played club rugby in Auckland before heading to Bay of Plenty Rugby in 2013 and spending 4 seasons with the Bay Steamers. After moving back home to Auckland in 2017 as an injury replacement for the, has played 4 seasons with the Counties Manukau Steelers and is now with both Auckland Rugby in the Bunnings NPC and loaned to Ngāti Porou East Coast in the Heartland Championship.

Personal life
Royal is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei and Ngāpuhi descent).