Owen Franks
Encyclopedia
Owen Franks is a New Zealand rugby player who plays for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and the All Blacks
at international level.
. His local rugby club is Linwood
. He represented New Zealand at Under-21 and Secondary School level.
in 2007. He was also Campbell Johnstone
's understudy before he left for France and Franks assumed the tighthead duties for the Canterbury team. His older brother, Ben Franks
is also a prop and plays alongside his brother.
but made his first start in the victory over the Bulls
and his stellar performance also secured him an All Black contract. Relatively small in stature, he is known for his great scrummaging technique and mobility around the field. He is also very strong, with the ability to squat 240kg.
in New Zealand's first match against Australia. He went on to play the next two games against South Africa before playing once again against Australia. Franks played the penultimate match against South Africa but missed the final match, with Neemia Tialata
playing instead. He then came on as a sub against Wales during an international test in November. A week later he started on the pitch in a win over England and went on to be victorious over France a mere week later.
playing with him. They went on to play Wales twice together. He played once again in the Tri-Nations tournament
, starting the first four matches against South Africa and Australia. His brother Ben played the third test against South Africa but he missed out. However he appeared in the final match against Australia winning 23-22. He went on to lose the Halloween
test against Australia. He took part in four of New Zealand's November friendlies beating England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
at international level.
Early Career
He attended Christchurch Boys' High SchoolChristchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School is a single sex state secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is situated on a 12 hectare site between the suburbs of Riccarton and Fendalton, 4 kilometres to the west of central Christchurch. The school also provides boarding facilities for 130 boys, in a...
. His local rugby club is Linwood
Linwood, New Zealand
Linwood is an inner suburb of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It lies to the East of the city centre, mostly between Ferry Road and Linwood Avenue, two of the major arterial roads to the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch.-History:...
. He represented New Zealand at Under-21 and Secondary School level.
Provincial
He made his debut for Canterbury in the Air New Zealand CupAir New Zealand Cup
The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...
in 2007. He was also Campbell Johnstone
Campbell Johnstone
Campbell Richard Johnstone is a rugby union player who plays for Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14. He played for the All Blacks in 2005 in which he played 3 tests and made his debut against Fiji and his latest test was against the British and Irish Lions. His position is prop.-External links:*...
's understudy before he left for France and Franks assumed the tighthead duties for the Canterbury team. His older brother, Ben Franks
Ben Franks
Ben Franks is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and All Blacks. He plays as a prop.-Provincial:Franks made his provincial debut for Canterbury against Otago in 2005...
is also a prop and plays alongside his brother.
Super Rugby
Franks made his debut for the Crusaders in 2009 as a substitute against the Western ForceWestern Force
Western Force is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super Rugby competition. They first competed in the 2006 season and finished with the wooden spoon in that year, however their performances greatly improved in 2007. In 2008 they finished in 8th...
but made his first start in the victory over the Bulls
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
and his stellar performance also secured him an All Black contract. Relatively small in stature, he is known for his great scrummaging technique and mobility around the field. He is also very strong, with the ability to squat 240kg.
2009
His first start for the All Blacks came against Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup. He won 45-17.Franks was chosen for the 2009 Tri-Nations tournament2009 Tri Nations Series
The 2009 Tri Nations Series was the fourteenth annual Tri Nations rugby union series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, respectively nicknamed the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks...
in New Zealand's first match against Australia. He went on to play the next two games against South Africa before playing once again against Australia. Franks played the penultimate match against South Africa but missed the final match, with Neemia Tialata
Neemia Tialata
Neemia Stanley Tialata is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. As well as representing New Zealand, he also plays for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup when available....
playing instead. He then came on as a sub against Wales during an international test in November. A week later he started on the pitch in a win over England and went on to be victorious over France a mere week later.
2010
Franks continued with another international tour. His first game was against Ireland with his brother BenBen Franks
Ben Franks is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and All Blacks. He plays as a prop.-Provincial:Franks made his provincial debut for Canterbury against Otago in 2005...
playing with him. They went on to play Wales twice together. He played once again in the Tri-Nations tournament
2010 Tri Nations Series
The 2010 Tri Nations Series is the fifteenth annual Tri Nations rugby union series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, respectively nicknamed the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks...
, starting the first four matches against South Africa and Australia. His brother Ben played the third test against South Africa but he missed out. However he appeared in the final match against Australia winning 23-22. He went on to lose the Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
test against Australia. He took part in four of New Zealand's November friendlies beating England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.