Francis Saili
| Full name | Francis Saili | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 February 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Weight | 99 kg (218 lb) | ||
| School | St Peter's College | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Peter Saili (brother) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Centre, Wing | ||
| New Zealand No. | 1126 | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| Auckland Marist R.C | |||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011 2012–13 2014–15 2015–present |
Auckland North Harbour Auckland Munster |
5 15 9 22 |
(0) (15) (5) (20) |
| correct as of 8 May 2016. | |||
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2012–15 | Blues | 42 | (35) |
| correct as of 12 June 2015. | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011 2013 |
New Zealand U20 New Zealand |
5 2 |
(20) (0) |
| correct as of 3 Nov 2013. | |||
Francis Saili (born 16 February 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays primarily as a centre for Munster in the Pro12 and European Rugby Champions Cup, though he can also play wing. He is the younger brother of Blues loose forward Peter Saili.
Early life
Saili was born in Auckland and educated at St Peter's College where he played rugby in the school First XV. He was the captain in 2009.[1] He represented New Zealand in schoolboy and global under-age tournaments. After leaving school he played for Auckland Marist.
Career
Saili was part of the New Zealand Under 20 team that won the Junior World Championship in Italy in 2011.[2]
Saili started his professional rugby career in 2011, with a start in the ITM Cup for Auckland.[3] In 2012, he commenced playing for the Blues in a match against the Stormers.[4] In 2013, Saili made his debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in Hamilton.[5] On 1 November 2014, he played for the Barbarians against Australia, scoring a try at Twickenham.
On 6 April 2015, it was announced that Saili would be joining Irish provincial side Munster on a two-year contract. [6] He made his debut on 21 August 2015 in Munster's uncapped pre-season friendly loss to Irish rivals Connacht.[7] Saili made his full Munster debut on 13 September 2015, starting against Ospreys in the 2015–16 Pro12.[8] He made his European Rugby Champions Cup debut on 14 November 2015, starting the opening 2015–16 pool game against Treviso.[9][10] On 16 August 2016, it was announced that Saili would be out for 3-4 months following a surgical procedure on his shoulder.[11]
References
- ↑ St Peter's College Magazine 2009, p. 102.
- ↑ "All Blacks squad named for Steinlager Series - 6 new caps", Allblacks.com, 2 June 2013. (Retrieved 2 June 2013)
- ↑ Leggat, David (12 July 2012). "New boys bolster Auckland". NZ Herald. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ↑ Gray, Wynne (19 March 2012). "Wobbly Blues left little wriggle room". NZ Herald. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ↑ Gray, Wynne (7 September 2013). "All Blacks grind out win". NZ Herald. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ↑ "Munster Sign Francis Saili". munsterrugby.ie. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
- ↑ "Munster Vs Connacht 21 Aug 2015". the42.ie. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ↑ "Munster Just Shade It In Swansea". munsterrugby.ie. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ↑ "Side Named For European Opener". munsterrugby.ie. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ↑ "Job Done In Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ↑ "Squad Update". munsterrugby.ie. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.