Matt Faddes

Matt Faddes
Full name Matthew Faddes
Date of birth (1991-11-06) 6 November 1991
Place of birth Balclutha, New Zealand
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 93 kg (205 lb)
School South Otago High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Outside Back / Midfield
Current team Otago / Highlanders
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011− Otago 48 (85)
2012 North Otago (5)
2016− Highlanders 27 (80)
Correct as of 13 January 2017
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012−13 All Blacks Sevens 3 (17)
Correct as of 13 January 2017

Matt Faddes (born November 6, 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a midfielder or outside back for Otago in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.[1][2][3][4]

Early career

Born in the town of Balclutha, located halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill on New Zealand's South Island, Faddes was educated at South Otago High School in his hometown.[5]

Senior career

Faddes first played provincial rugby for Otago in 2011 ITM Cup, debuting against North Harbour. He made two appearances in total in 2011 and two more the following year before playing 7 times and scoring 2 tries in 2013 to help the Razorbacks finish 2nd on the Championship log and reach the playoff semi-finals where his 12th minute try was unable to stop them from bowing out 24-29 at home to Hawke's Bay.[6]

He only saw action once in 2014, but in 2015 his career in the 15-man game really began to take off. Having previously played mostly as an outside back, he largely featured as a centre for Otago in 2015 and it was a move that paid off with him scoring 6 tries in 10 games as they reached the Championship playoffs before being comprehensively defeated by Wellington. He continued to be a key player for the Razorbacks in 2016, contributing 3 tries in 11 games as the men from Dunedin topped the Championship standings before surprisingly losing at home by North Harbour in the play off final, a defeat which consigned them to another season of Championship rugby in 2017.[2]

Super Rugby

Excellent showings in the midfield for Otago during the 2015 ITM Cup saw Faddes earn a Super Rugby contract with the Dunedin-based Highlanders ahead of the 2016 season.[7] He made a dream start to life as a Super Rugby player scoring 10 tries in 16 games, including a hat-trick against the Southern Kings which put him second, behind Israel Folau of the Waratahs in the try scoring charts. His side, the Highlanders, were defending Super Rugby champions in 2016, however they were unable to hold onto their title and were eliminated by the Lions in the semi-finals, losing 42-30 with Faddes' 48th minute try scored in vain.[2]

Tony Brown replaced the Japan-bound Jamie Joseph as Highlanders head coach ahead of the 2017 season and having worked with Faddes at provincial level, he retained him in the squad for his first year in charge.[4]

International

Faddes was an All Blacks Sevens representative in 2013, helping them to victory in the 2013 London Sevens and playing in 3 competitions in total throughout the season.[7]

On 5 November 2016, Faddes featured in the number 14 jersey for the Barbarians in their 31-31 draw against South Africa at Wembley Stadium. He was replaced by Australian Luke Morahan in the 51st minute of the match.[8][9]

Career Honours

All Blacks Sevens

Super Rugby statistics

As of 12 January 2017[2]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2016 Highlanders161331043100005010
Total161331043100005010

References

  1. ↑ "Matt Faddes Otago Player Profile". Otago Rugby. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Matt Faddes itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Matt Faddes Highlanders Player Profile". Highlanders Rugby. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Highlanders 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  5. ↑ "Matt Faddes, the Highlanders' unlikely hero". Rugby Heaven. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Rugby: New attitude key for Faddes". Otago Daily Times. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Highlanders bolster midfield stocks". Rugby 365. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Former All Black Andy Ellis to skipper Barbarians against Springboks". Rugby Heaven. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "Late van Rensburg try saves South Africa blushes". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
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