Sam Doyle (rugby union)

Samuel Campbell Doyle (28 January 1970 — 1 October 2022) was a New Zealand professional rugby union player.

Raised in Ōtaki, Doyle was the oldest of four children and played locally for the Rāhui club.

Doyle, primarily a fullback, played top-level rugby in New Zealand through the 1990s. He was an All Black triallist and made several appearances for New Zealand Māori, including a match against the touring 1993 British Lions. In 1996, Doyle joined the Hurricanes as an injury replacement for Christian Cullen and played two Super 12 matches, scoring a try in their win over the Highlanders at Carisbrook.

A teacher by profession, Doyle taught at te reo Māori-speaking schools and had five years as a principal.

Doyle died of leukemia in 2022 at the age of 52.