Ben Franks

Ben John Franks (born 27 March 1984) is an Australian-born New Zealand former rugby union player recently playing for Northampton Saints in Premiership Rugby. He played as a prop. He is one of only twenty-one dual Rugby Union World Cup winners.

For the philosopher Benjamin Franks, see Rebel Alliances.

Ben Franks
Birth nameBen John Franks
Date of birth (1984-03-27) 27 March 1984
Place of birthMelbourne, Australia
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Weight120 kg (18 st 13 lb; 265 lb)[2]
SchoolChristchurch Boys' High School
Aranui High School
Notable relative(s)Owen Franks (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead Prop
All Black No. 1084
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Linwood RFC [3] ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2018
2018-2020		 London Irish
Northampton Saints		 49 (35)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2006, 2012
2007–2011
2013–2015		 Canterbury
Tasman
Hawke's Bay		 17
26
3		 (0)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 23 October 2015
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2012
2013–2015		 Crusaders
Hurricanes		 85
45		 (10)
(20)
Correct as of 5 July 2015
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2015 New Zealand 47 (10)
Correct as of 31 October 2015

Ben Franks along with younger brother Owen run their own gym in Christchurch, New Zealand called "Franks Brothers Gym". Franks is extremely strong, with video footage showing him squatting 300 kg.

Club career

Provincial

Franks made his provincial debut for Canterbury against Otago in 2005. He has since played for both Canterbury and the Tasman Makos in the Air New Zealand Cup, securing 42 caps (16 for Canterbury, 26 for Tasman).[4]

Super Rugby

He played for the Crusaders between 2006 and 2012 in the elite Super Rugby competition, making his debut against the Chiefs in 2006. He joined the Hurricanes for the 2013 Super Rugby season.[5]

Ben is the older brother of Owen also an All Black prop, and both represent the Linwood Rugby club in Christchurch. Both brothers were selected for the 2010 All Blacks squad to face Ireland and Wales in the home series thus being the first brothers to represent New Zealand since Robin and Zinzan Brooke.

Premiership Rugby

On 20 January 2015, it was confirmed Franks would be joining Premiership Rugby side London Irish after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[6] After 3 seasons with London Irish, it was confirmed that Franks will link up with Northampton Saints for the 2018/19 season. [7]

International career

On 26 October 2008, Franks was selected for the All Blacks end of year tour squad to travel to Hong Kong, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He became Aranui High School's first ever All Black when he played against Munster at Thomond Park.

He started the first match of the Pacific Nations Cup against Samoa in June 2009 with a close victory, winning 17–16. He then played the final match of the tournament against Tonga, but did not score a point even though New Zealand won 47–25.

Franks played his first match of 2010 in a test match at Yarrow Stadium against Ireland. The All Black's won by a triumphant 66–28 and Franks got his first ever try for the All Blacks. He also played a week later in the All Black's victory over Wales in Dunedin.

His test performance won him a spot in the All Black's line up to face South Africa in the first match of the 2010 Tri-Nations tournament. He played again against South Africa a week later and twice against Australia in the following weeks. He played the penultimate match against South Africa but was left out of the team for the final match against Australia and his place taken by his brother Owen.

He started off 2011 with a friendly against Fiji followed by wins over South Africa and Australia in the 2011 Tri-Nations tournament. He played in the penultimate loss to South Africa and was subsequently replaced by brother Owen once again.

Franks came on as a sub during the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Franks was later named in the 31-man All Black squad to attend the 2015 Rugby World Cup, playing in the knockout stages including the final where New Zealand defeated Australia 34-17.

References
  1. http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/Profile.asp?ABID=1084
  2. "Stats - allblacks.com". stats.allblacks.com.
  3. "Linwood Rugby Club - Home". www.linwoodrugby.co.nz.
  4. "Directory - Crusaders". www.crusaders.co.nz.
  5. "Ben Franks inks Hurricanes deal". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  6. "Ben Franks: London Irish sign New Zealand prop". BBC Sport. 20 January 2015.
  7. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/saints/breaking-saints-swoop-to-land-former-all-blacks-forward-ben-franks-1-8416813
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