Charlie Gamble

Charlie Gamble is a powerful, running on-ball flanker with a unique rugby journey. In his youth, the Christchurch-born back-rower was not only a schoolboy player but also a Crusaders Academy graduate that went on to play for New Zealand U19s.

At the age of 21 and struggling to find a route into the professional ranks, he crossed the Tasman and moved to Sydney to seek an opportunity, initially in the NSW “Subbies” with Petersham, where he was the club’s star player for a season before he joined Sydney Shute Shield side Eastern Suburbs in 2019.

After impressing once again at Shute Shield level, Gamble was offered a Waratahs contract ahead of the 2020 season, before making his debut for the club against rivals the Brumbies in 2021 in Super Rugby AU.

An integral team player, the flanker was recognised in 2022 by winning the Waratahs Forward of the Year award and earning Wallabies squad selection.

In 2025, he reached 50 Super Rugby caps in the memorable 28-23 win over the Brumbies in Round 6, where he put in a typically tenacious display. While during the British & Irish Lions tour, he received two man of the match awards against the touring side, firstly for the Waratahs in front of packed Allianz Stadium, before impressing for the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV side in a tight 24-19 loss at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. He qualified for the team due to his Tongan heritage.

Gamble also represented New Zealand in discus in the IAAF World Youth Athletics Championships in Donetsk in 2013.