Interview: Piers Francis talks leaving England and making it in Super Rugby
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.
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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.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments