Blues 2017
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Interview: Piers Francis talks leaving England and making it in Super Rugby
FEBRUARY 21, 2017
The Blues’ English first-five tells Jamie Wall about his against-the-traffic career move south, the upcoming Lions tour and what it was like being hurdled by Vaea Fifita.
Blues first-five Piers Francis is a unique character in modern rugby: an Englishman who moved to New Zealand to further his career and ended up playing Super Rugby. Since originally relocating as an 18-year-old the former Saracens Academy player has represented Auckland, Waikato and Counties at provincial level, made the Chiefs wider training squad and is now a fully contracted member of the Blues.
I sat down with Piers to talk about his journey from north to south, the upcoming Super Rugby season and a couple of memorable highlights from last season…
JW: How come you ended up in New Zealand?
PF: I came here on a gap year, just eager to pursue professional rugby. Over here is the Mecca of rugby, so it’s a great place to test myself. I went through the New Zealand system – club rugby, academies, age grade and provincial stuff – till I finally made it to where I am now. It’s awesome.
What made you choose here rather than Aussie or South Africa? Did you know people, or did you get some advice? How long did you originally intend to come out here for?
I believed New Zealand was the best place for rugby, not that I’d ever been here. I didn’t really have any contacts other than an old coach of mine who set me up at the Marist club here in Auckland. My parents had some friends who live on the North Shore, but that was it. Originally I’d said I’d be here for a year, but I’d been advised to stay for at least two to really give it a good crack, which in hindsight was the right decision because I made the premier club side and things really started moving in the second year. I got a chance to join the Chiefs wider training squad in 2012, which was the year they won Super Rugby and gave me a spot in the Waikato team.
From there you went back to the UK, but you ended up back here. Why was that?
I believed at the time I wanted to make my mark in the UK, so I signed with Edinburgh. At the time they were playing in Pro12, but I had a tough time there, to be honest. The club was in a little bit of upheaval, the head coaches left within a few months of me getting there. I don’t think I played the best to begin with, then I got injured. I was released and it only seemed natural to come back to New Zealand. It was pretty much like a holiday at first really, just playing club rugby and a bit of Auckland B stuff. But then I struck up a conversation with Tana Umaga who wanted me to play for Counties, which was just what I needed.
Speaking of Tana, let’s hypothetically fast-forward to June. There’s been a horrible injury crisis in the Lions. All their first fives are injured…
Stranger things have happened!
…Tana’s named you in the Blues, but Warren Gatland calls and says ‘mate, we can’t fly anyone out in time, we need you’. What do you do?
Ummmmm… that’s a tough question. The Lions are the pinnacle of a European rugby career, so that’d be very tough to turn down.
That’s a very diplomatic answer. Do you keep an eye on what’s happening in the 6 Nations and the Lions buildup? How about from a Blues perspective, are the team keeping an eye on what’s happening so you know who you’re going to be playing?
Probably not as much as people think I would be. From a team perspective, to be honest, probably not either. There’s a lot of pressure on us in terms of the Super Rugby competition, so we’re taking that game by game. But as it gets closer it’ll build up, this tour will be huge and the momentum will mean we’ll have to start thinking about it.
I have to ask you – if the All Blacks and England played each other this weekend, who would win?
I would be pretty confident in my fellow countrymen to do the job. They are in a good space at the moment.
You played first and second-five last season, but the Blues have made a big addition to their midfield with the signing of Sonny Bill Williams. Does this mean we’re going to see you more at 10 this time around?
Ah, I hope so! Obviously Sonny has an injury so there’s a vacancy in that 12 shirt for the start of the season. We have a lot of firepower in our midfield, but a lot of guys are returning from injuries. So there might be an opportunity there for me, it’s the shirt I finished the last Super Rugby season in.
Going back to the Mite 10 Cup, you were involved in one of the great highlights from last year. What is your recollection of getting hurdled by Vaea Fifita?
(Laughs) Well he’s a big man! My impression of the situation was basically trying to tackle him but then seeing a big boot coming flying towards me, so I ducked and he completely bamboozled me. I think there must be a great picture of me looking behind and wondering what’s just gone on. I remember questioning the touch judge and asking “are we all allowed to jump over one another now?” Anyway, I appreciate his athleticism and the fact that despite making me look a little silly, people watching enjoyed it.
OK, so here’s a highlight that’s a lot more flattering. You were voted Rugby Pass NZ staff’s favourite player for this filthy sidestep against the Waratahs last year. How do you feel about that honour?
Ha, well thanks. I don’t normally receive credit for tries, because I don’t often dot down, but that’s very humbling. I was pretty pleased to get the try having not scored one all season. I did make a meal of it at the end though, probably didn’t need the last half-twirl.
You really broke Nick Phipps’ ankles on that play, and we’ve actually pinpointed that as the moment he turned into a rugby supervillain – spray tanning far too much, throwing people’s boots and shoving medics – how do you feel about that?
Good! It’s always fun to get an Aussie halfback’s knickers in a twist.
Spoken like a true Kiwi. Good luck for the upcoming season!
Cheers mate.
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Interview: Piers Francis talks leaving England and making it in Super Rugby
FEBRUARY 21, 2017
The Blues’ English first-five tells Jamie Wall about his against-the-traffic career move south, the upcoming Lions tour and what it was like being hurdled by Vaea Fifita.
Blues first-five Piers Francis is a unique character in modern rugby: an Englishman who moved to New Zealand to further his career and ended up playing Super Rugby. Since originally relocating as an 18-year-old the former Saracens Academy player has represented Auckland, Waikato and Counties at provincial level, made the Chiefs wider training squad and is now a fully contracted member of the Blues.
I sat down with Piers to talk about his journey from north to south, the upcoming Super Rugby season and a couple of memorable highlights from last season…
JW: How come you ended up in New Zealand?
PF: I came here on a gap year, just eager to pursue professional rugby. Over here is the Mecca of rugby, so it’s a great place to test myself. I went through the New Zealand system – club rugby, academies, age grade and provincial stuff – till I finally made it to where I am now. It’s awesome.
What made you choose here rather than Aussie or South Africa? Did you know people, or did you get some advice? How long did you originally intend to come out here for?
I believed New Zealand was the best place for rugby, not that I’d ever been here. I didn’t really have any contacts other than an old coach of mine who set me up at the Marist club here in Auckland. My parents had some friends who live on the North Shore, but that was it. Originally I’d said I’d be here for a year, but I’d been advised to stay for at least two to really give it a good crack, which in hindsight was the right decision because I made the premier club side and things really started moving in the second year. I got a chance to join the Chiefs wider training squad in 2012, which was the year they won Super Rugby and gave me a spot in the Waikato team.
From there you went back to the UK, but you ended up back here. Why was that?
I believed at the time I wanted to make my mark in the UK, so I signed with Edinburgh. At the time they were playing in Pro12, but I had a tough time there, to be honest. The club was in a little bit of upheaval, the head coaches left within a few months of me getting there. I don’t think I played the best to begin with, then I got injured. I was released and it only seemed natural to come back to New Zealand. It was pretty much like a holiday at first really, just playing club rugby and a bit of Auckland B stuff. But then I struck up a conversation with Tana Umaga who wanted me to play for Counties, which was just what I needed.
Speaking of Tana, let’s hypothetically fast-forward to June. There’s been a horrible injury crisis in the Lions. All their first fives are injured…
Stranger things have happened!
…Tana’s named you in the Blues, but Warren Gatland calls and says ‘mate, we can’t fly anyone out in time, we need you’. What do you do?
Ummmmm… that’s a tough question. The Lions are the pinnacle of a European rugby career, so that’d be very tough to turn down.
That’s a very diplomatic answer. Do you keep an eye on what’s happening in the 6 Nations and the Lions buildup? How about from a Blues perspective, are the team keeping an eye on what’s happening so you know who you’re going to be playing?
Probably not as much as people think I would be. From a team perspective, to be honest, probably not either. There’s a lot of pressure on us in terms of the Super Rugby competition, so we’re taking that game by game. But as it gets closer it’ll build up, this tour will be huge and the momentum will mean we’ll have to start thinking about it.
I have to ask you – if the All Blacks and England played each other this weekend, who would win?
I would be pretty confident in my fellow countrymen to do the job. They are in a good space at the moment.
You played first and second-five last season, but the Blues have made a big addition to their midfield with the signing of Sonny Bill Williams. Does this mean we’re going to see you more at 10 this time around?
Ah, I hope so! Obviously Sonny has an injury so there’s a vacancy in that 12 shirt for the start of the season. We have a lot of firepower in our midfield, but a lot of guys are returning from injuries. So there might be an opportunity there for me, it’s the shirt I finished the last Super Rugby season in.
Going back to the Mite 10 Cup, you were involved in one of the great highlights from last year. What is your recollection of getting hurdled by Vaea Fifita?
(Laughs) Well he’s a big man! My impression of the situation was basically trying to tackle him but then seeing a big boot coming flying towards me, so I ducked and he completely bamboozled me. I think there must be a great picture of me looking behind and wondering what’s just gone on. I remember questioning the touch judge and asking “are we all allowed to jump over one another now?” Anyway, I appreciate his athleticism and the fact that despite making me look a little silly, people watching enjoyed it.
OK, so here’s a highlight that’s a lot more flattering. You were voted Rugby Pass NZ staff’s favourite player for this filthy sidestep against the Waratahs last year. How do you feel about that honour?
Ha, well thanks. I don’t normally receive credit for tries, because I don’t often dot down, but that’s very humbling. I was pretty pleased to get the try having not scored one all season. I did make a meal of it at the end though, probably didn’t need the last half-twirl.
You really broke Nick Phipps’ ankles on that play, and we’ve actually pinpointed that as the moment he turned into a rugby supervillain – spray tanning far too much, throwing people’s boots and shoving medics – how do you feel about that?
Good! It’s always fun to get an Aussie halfback’s knickers in a twist.
Spoken like a true Kiwi. Good luck for the upcoming season!
Cheers mate.
He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
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He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
@Rancid-Schnitzel Yes he did myself included but he did very well in the 12 jersey last season.
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He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:
He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
Agree.
A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:
He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
Agree.
A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.
@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:
He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
Agree.
A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.
both of whom seem to be making some decent coin in the NH!
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@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:
He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
Agree.
A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.
both of whom seem to be making some decent coin in the NH!
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:
He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.
Agree.
A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.
both of whom seem to be making some decent coin in the NH!
Yep, good for them
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So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:
15. Nanai 14. Duffie 13. R. Ioane 12. SBW 11. Moala 10. West/Francis 9. A. Pulu 8. Luatua/Ioane 7. Gibson 6. Kaino 5. Tuipulotu 4. Tupou 3. Faumaina 2. Parsons (c) 1. Manu@Tim said in Blues 2017:
So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:
Pulu's pass is making a big difference. Early in the game he threw a flat 20 m ball to people to crash - that's getting towards A Smith -- not there, but getting there.
I cracked a wee chubby when I saw that. Happy days after a long dark road.
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@Tim said in Blues 2017:
So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:
Pulu's pass is making a big difference. Early in the game he threw a flat 20 m ball to people to crash - that's getting towards A Smith -- not there, but getting there.
I cracked a wee chubby when I saw that. Happy days after a long dark road.
@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
@Tim said in Blues 2017:
So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:
Pulu's pass is making a big difference. Early in the game he threw a flat 20 m ball to people to crash - that's getting towards A Smith -- not there, but getting there.
I cracked a wee chubby when I saw that. Happy days after a long dark road.
He also is an attacking threat in his own right, that try he scored Cullen would have been proud of. Will give the ten more space, from his pass and the defenders holding for his running game. And he doesn't mind taking it into traffic to hit it up.
I was very happy watching him.
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The Blues U20 team will play the Chiefs U20 team tomorrow. Kick-off 2.30pm at Manukau Rugby Club.
Full Blues U20 team:
Robb Cobb JP Sauni Jerry Samania Jacob Pierce Sam Slade Hoskins Sotutu Dalton Papalii (C) Dylan Lam Lewis Gjaltema Otumaka Mausia Siave Togoiu Tamati Tua Nikolai Foliaki Caleb Clarke TJ Vaega Charles Napa’a Feou TeuteuAfioga Ielemia John Akaula-Laula Adrian Choat Henry Saker Wiseguy Faiane James Little Loketi Manu Cameron Suafoa Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa Tanielu Tele’a Penisoni FineanganofoRemaining games:
next week: v a Hurricanes U20 side in Wellington
22 March: v Argentina U20s at Waitemata Rugby Football Club -
Ioane certainly impressed with his speed, footwork and timing of his runs. The centre position looks his for the long-term in a team still yet to bring back heavy-hitters such as Sonny Bill Williams, James Parsons, Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipulotu. The latter two may be back in the picture as early as next week.
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@Dice said in Blues 2017:
I feel for the U20 boys, look at who is coaching them.
So much this. Might be more his level - he can do this and Auckland can get a new coach.
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
@Dice said in Blues 2017:
I feel for the U20 boys, look at who is coaching them.
So much this. Might be more his level - he can do this and Auckland can get a new coach.
This is a pretty good U20s team with good depth, so it'd take someone special to stuff it up.
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Blues Development team to play Chiefs Development on Saturday (curtain raiser at FMG Waikato Stadium):
1 Sam Prattley, Blues (Auckland)
2 James Parsons, Blues (North Harbour)
3 Marcel Renata, Auckland
4 Josh Goodhue, Blues (Northland)
5 Scott Scrafton, Blues (Auckland)
6 Brandon Nansen, Blues (North Harbour)
7 Murphy Taramai, Blues (North Harbour)
8 Kara Pryor, Blues (Northland)
9 Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland
10 Bryn Gatland, North Harbour
11 Jordan Hyland, Northland
12 TJ Faiane, Blues (Auckland)
13 Matt Vaega, Blues (North Harbour)
14 Salesi Rayasi, Auckland
15 Jordan Trainor, Auckland16 Joe Royal, Blues
17 Howard Silioto, Northland
18 Namatahi Waa, Northland
19 Sam Ulufonua, Auckland
20 Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a, North Harbour
21 Herschel Gideon, Auckland
22 William Talataina-Mu, Auckland
23 Pisi Leilua, Auckland -
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did Nock get injured last week?
@taniwharugby Yes, according to the media release with the team naming he is injured.
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did Nock get injured last week?
Halfback Billy Guyton is the halfback cover, replacing the injured Sam Nock.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11809726
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@Tim @Stargazer cheers, don't get time to read all articles and usually just skip to team sheets anyway!
