Ricky Riccitelli

Ricky Riccitelli
Full name John Ricky Riccitelli
Date of birth (1995-02-03) 3 February 1995
Place of birth Durban, South Africa
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 110 kg (17 st 5 lb; 243 lb)
School Francis Douglas Memorial College
University University of Otago
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker, Prop
Current team Taranaki, Hurricanes
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2016 Hawke's Bay 18 (0)
2016– Hurricanes 44 (15)
2017– Taranaki 16 (15)
Correct as of 29 September 2018
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 New Zealand U20 7 (0)
Correct as of 20 June 2015

John Ricky Riccitelli (/riːtʃit.ɛl.i/; born 3 February 1995) is a New Zealand professional rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for New Zealand franchise Hurricanes. In his youth career, he was selected in the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championships for New Zealand and took part in Francis Douglas Memorial College first XV.[1]

Early life

Riccitelli was born on 3 February 1995, in Durban, South Africa to parents, Gail Luiz and John Riccitelli.[2] Riccitelli and his parents migrated to New Zealand when he was four-years old after his mum got a job in the country. Settling in Oakura, he mainly grew up in New Plymouth where he attended Francis Douglas Memorial College.[3] Riccitelli, was the school's sportsman of the year in 2012. He represented Taranaki at under-14, 16 and 18 levels and gained Hurricanes under-16 tournament team selection in 2012. While studying at Otago University for the past three years, Riccitelli had played for the Southern club in Dunedin and also captained the Otago under-19's. He also excelled at cricket representing Taranaki through the grades, his school's 1st XI for four years as well as the Central Districts under-19 squad.[4]

In 2015 Riccitelli departed for the world under-20 championship in Italy, regularly spending time doing skill sessions with former Highlanders assistant coach Jon Preston. While turning out for New Zealand in the Oceania Junior Championship earlier in the year, Riccitelli went on to feature in a maximum seven out of eight games including their historic win over England in the final starting at loosehead prop.[5]

Professional career

2015–17

While there was interest from other provincial unions for Riccitelli, he signed a two-year deal with Hawke's Bay after coach Craig Philpott confirmed the signing in May 2015. Philpott was impressed with his performance after noticing him at the New Zealand under-20 trial camps.[6] He made his debut for the province in 2015, playing the season's first two out of three Ranfurly Shield matches against Horowhenua-Kapiti and Mid Canterbury.[7] He made a further six appearances during the 2015 ITM Cup season.

Riccitelli then joined the Hurricanes after being called up into the squad to replace the injured Dane Coles. He made his Super Rugby debut when being announced in the squads 23-man team to play the Brumbies in their season opener.[8] He then had his short-term injury cover contract with the Hurricanes extended after the coaching staff had been impressed with his work ethic.[9] After the Hurricanes success throughout the season, Riccitelli appeared in all three finals including their grand final win over the Lions, impressing the Hurricanes' coaches with his accurate lineout throwing and strong ball-carrying.[10]

2016 also saw Riccitelli feature in a disappointing Hawke's Bay season that finished in last place. He though continued to make progress as a loosehead prop during their Mitre 10 Cup campaign. Riccitelli, returned to his primary and preferred role of hooker when the side hosted Bay of Plenty in which was their final outing of the season at Napier's McLean Park.[11] He extended is appearances out to eighteen after he played in all Hawke's Bay's ten matches, making it a seasons best.

Riccitelli returned to his home province of Taranaki.[12] Having already secured Jordie Barrett, Taranaki had lured Riccitelli for the 2017 and 2018 Mitre 10 Cup seasons, signing a two-year deal. With hooker Rhys Marshall taking up an offer to play for Munster in Ireland at the end of the previous season, coach Colin Cooper said Riccitelli was among the chances to claim the vacant number two jersey.[13]

Riccitelli became a regular starter for the Hurricanes in the 2017 Super Rugby season after concussion to Hurricanes captain and first-choice All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, beating Leni Apisai to the role. Riccitelli was eventually called up as injury cover for the All Blacks' 2017 Rugby Championship, with Coles out of the first round and Liam Coltman out for the season. Riccitelli did not play in the competition and was released back to Taranaki after Coles recovered from his second concussion of the 2017 season.

2018–20

Despite newly-capped All Black Asafo Aumua being signed to the Hurricanes for the 2018 Super Rugby season, Riccitelli held on to his place as a regular starter for the Hurricanes in the first three rounds of the competition.

Statistics

ClubYearCompetitionGPGSTRYCONPENDGLPTSWL%Yellow cardRed card
Hawke's Bay 2015† Mitre 10 Cup
(incl. Ranfurly Shield)		 8200000100.0000
2016 1090000020.0000
Taranaki 2017† 9830001577.7800
2018 770000028.5700
Hurricanes 2016† Super Rugby 910000077.7800
2017 17131000576.4700
2018 181820001066.6700
Career 775760003066.2300

Updated: 29 September 2018

References

  1. ↑ "Ricky Riccitelli Hawke's Bay Profile". 2 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "John Ricky Riccitelli". Luiz History. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Focus now on Ranfurly Shield for Ricky Riccitelli". Stuff. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Rugby: Magpies sign young gun". Hawke's Bay Today. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "World Rugby U20 Championship 2015, Match 30". World Rugby. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Rugby: Magpies sign young gun". Hawke's Bay Today. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Will it be lucky number 14 for the Ranfurly Shield challengers?". ITM Cup. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "New Hurricanes captain Dane Coles has to wait to lead the team out". Stuff. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Riccitelli's contract extended". Hawke's Bay Today. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  10. ↑ "Hurricanes back-up hooker Ricky Riccitelli undaunted by prospect of replacing Dane Coles". Hawke's Bay Today. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  11. ↑ "Rugby: Riccitelli revved for preferred role". Stuff. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Rugby: Riccitelli leaves Magpies nest". Hawke's Bay Today. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  13. ↑ "Ricky Riccitelli signs two-year deal with Taranaki Rugby". Stuff. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
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