Willi Heinz (born 24 November 1986) is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for Canterbury in the Bunnings NPC and the Crusaders in Super Rugby. Heinz started his professional career with the 2 clubs before moving to England and playing for Gloucester and Worcester Warriors in the Premiership. After almost a decade away from home, Heinz returned to Christchurch in 2022 to play for Canterbury and the Crusaders. He has also represented England internationally.
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| Birth name | Willi Heinz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 24 November 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 181.5 cm (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 88 kg (13 st 12 lb; 194 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Heinz played four years in his 1st XV rugby team at school, Burnside High, which is a record for the school.[citation needed]
On 24 February 2015, English Premiership club Gloucester Rugby announced his signing for the start of the 2015–16 season.[1]
In May 2017, he was invited to a training camp with the senior England squad by Eddie Jones.[2] Heinz qualifies to represent England through his grandmother.[3]
In August 2019, he was selected as the starting scrum-half and vice-captain for England's first summer international against Wales. That game marked his international debut for the England national team. The next day, Heinz was named in England's 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
On 23 February 2021, Heinz agreed to leave Gloucester for local rivals Worcester Warriors after six seasons on a two-year contract, option for a further season from the 2021–22 season.[4] He left with immediate effect to return to New Zealand in March 2022.[5]
Honours
edit- Rugby World Cup
- Runner-up: 2019
References
edit- ^ "Gloucester sign Crusaders scrum-half Willi Heinz". Sky Sports. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- ^ "England rugby: Willi Heinz and Jason Woodward selected for training camp". BBC Sport. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Heinz honours grandmother with England call-up". Sport24. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- ^ "Willi Heinz: Worcester sign Gloucester and England scrum-half for 2021-22". BBC Sport. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Worcester Warriors | Willi Heinz returns to New Zealand". warriors.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
External links
edit- Willi Heinz at Premiership Rugby
- Willi Heinz at ESPNscrum
- Willi Heinz at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Gloucester Rugby Profile
- Crusaders Profile
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