Ben Botica

Ben Botica
Full name Benjamin Botica
Date of birth (1989-10-07) 7 October 1989
Place of birth Takapuna, New Zealand
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Weight 85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Notable relative(s) Frano Botica
Occupation(s) Professional rugby union footballer
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Fly-Half, Centre
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
North Shore[2]
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2011–2012
2012–2016
2016-
Périgueux
Harlequins
Montpellier
18
95
8
(208)
(551)
(62)
correct as of 6 November 2016.
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2009–2012 North Harbour 17 (168)

Ben Botica (born 7 October 1989,[n 1] Takapuna) is a New Zealand born[n 2] rugby union Fly-Half or Centre.

The son of the New Zealand international Frano Botica, Benjamin Botica was born on 7 October 1989 in Takapuna.[3] He played rugby at school and was selected to play for the New Zealand Schoolboys team.[3] In 2008, he spent a year in France where he played with the Academy[n 3] team of Biarritz Olympique.[4]

He then returned to his native country where he joined the North Harbour team. He played his first professional match in August 2009 against Southland in the Air New Zealand Cup.[5] In 2011, he narrowly missed out on selection for the Auckland Blues franchise and the chance to play in the Super Rugby.[3] He decided to return to France where he played the 2011-2012 Pro D2 season with CA Périgueux.[4]

Late in the season, it was announced that he had signed a two-year contract with Harlequins[1] though he actually signed in October 2011.[6]

Botica plays at Fly-half or Centre.[3]

In his initial season with Harlequins, he was the top points scorer (with 78) in the LV= Cup.[7]

Botica now plays for Montpellier who as a result of their win against Quins will play in the Champions Cup in the 2016/17 season.

Notes

  1. On his date of birth, his Harlequins Biography[3] states 7 October, whereas ITSrugby[4] says 10 July. Obviously a month/day transposition.
  2. He holds a UK passport.[1]
  3. Espoirs in French

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Versatile, young New Zealand back signs for Harlequins". www.quins.co.uk. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  2. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10506449
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Harlequins biography". www.quins.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Fiche Joueur". www.itsrugby.fr. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  5. "Botica Jr lines up for Harbour". www.stuff.co.nz. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  6. "Harlequins bring in Kiwi fly-half". www.espnscrum.com. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  7. "Anglo-Welsh Cup : Stat 2012/2013". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
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