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