The Unleashing of a Rugby Beast – Owen Franks
Introduction:
Every sport has its legends, and rugby is no different. One superhuman figure that has dominated the rugby pitch over the years is Owen Franks. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on December 23, 1987, Franks comes from a family with a rugby legacy. His father, Ken Franks, was a first-class rugby player in New Zealand, and his younger brother, Ben Franks, is also a former All Black prop. In this blog post, we will explore Owen Franks’s journey, achievements, and stats. We will also delve into his inspiring story and the challenges he faced during his career.
1. Early Life:
Franks grew up in Christchurch and attended Christchurch Boys’ High School. It was here that his rugby career began, and he played for the school’s first XV rugby team. Franks’s father, Ken, played a crucial role in molding and shaping his son’s skills from a young age. According to Franks, his father often filmed his games and training sessions so that they could study his moves and improve his technique.
2. Professional Career:
In 2006, Franks joined the Crusaders Academy, a team that provides high-performance rugby pathways for young players. He played for the team until 2008 before moving on to play for the Tasman Makos in the New Zealand Rugby Championship. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2009 and played for the team until 2019. Franks also played in the All Blacks team, making his debut against Italy in 2009. He played for the All Blacks from 2009 to 2019, making 108 appearances in total.
3. Achievements:
Franks’s career is full of achievements and milestones. He won two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015. Franks also won seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders from 2009 to 2019. His consistent performance on the field led to him becoming one of the most respected players in the world of rugby.
4. Unstoppable Force:
Franks’s success as a rugby player is largely due to his remarkable physical attributes. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing over 120 kg, Franks is a powerhouse on the field. He is known for his brute strength, exceptional work rate, and unyielding tenacity that have made him an unstoppable force in the game.
5. Inspiring Journey:
Franks’s journey to becoming a rugby legend was not without its challenges. In 2012, he suffered a serious knee injury that threatened to end his career. However, Franks showed incredible resilience and worked hard to make a full recovery. He also experienced personal tragedy when his newborn daughter, Ella, passed away in 2017. Despite this, Franks remained focused on his career and continued to excel on the field.
6. Stats:
Franks’s stats speak for themselves. He has made 108 appearances for the All Blacks, scoring four tries in total. Franks has also made over 150 appearances for the Crusaders and has featured in some of their most successful seasons.
7. FAQs:
Q. What was Owen Franks’s greatest achievement?
A. Franks’s greatest achievement was winning two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015.
Q. What position did Owen Franks play?
A. Franks played as a prop for the All Blacks and the Crusaders.
Q. How did Owen Franks’s father influence his rugby career?
A. Owen Franks has credited his father, Ken Franks, for molding and shaping his rugby skills from a young age.
Q. What physical attributes made Owen Franks such a successful rugby player?
A. Franks’s remarkable physical attributes include his strength, exceptional work rate, and unyielding tenacity.
Q. What challenges did Owen Franks face during his career?
A. Franks suffered a knee injury in 2012 that threatened to end his career. He also experienced personal tragedy when his newborn daughter, Ella, passed away in 2017.
Q. How many Super Rugby titles did Owen Franks win?
A. Franks won seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders from 2009 to 2019.
Q. What are Owen Franks’s career stats?
A. Franks made 108 appearances for the All Blacks, scoring four tries. He also made over 150 appearances for the Crusaders.
Conclusion:
Owen Franks is a true legend of the rugby world. He has inspired countless young players with his remarkable physical abilities and unyielding tenacity. Despite facing various challenges during his career, Franks remained focused and managed to achieve incredible success. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and determination.