Marty Banks

Marty Banks (born 19 September 1989 in Reefton, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the fly-half (and occasionally fullback) position for the Wellington based Super Rugby side the Hurricanes, and for provincial side Tasman.^[1] Banks has previously played for Russian club Krasny Yar in 2011 before heading back to New Zealand ahead of 2012 season's Heartland Championship with Buller. He made his debut for Tasman in 2013 and his strong performances saw him named in the Hurricanes squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season.

Playing career

Banks was playing for Takapuna in Auckland when the opportunity came via the Canterbury Rugby Union to head to Russia where he linked with Krasny Yar. After a season with the side an offer of a two-year contract with Krasny Yar was on the table but Banks left the country and came back to New Zealand, which began his path to provincial honours with Buller. He made his provincial debut with the side in 2012 season's Heartland Championship, Banks scored a record 131 points for the province, including 16 in Buller's 31–28 win over South Canterbury in the Lochore Cup final.^[2]

In 2013 Banks featured in the Crusaders development team as well as being included in Tasman's extended training squad. Banks was later called into the squad and made his debut against Counties Manukau. He's set records with the side scoring all 28 points in Tasman's 28–13 win over Northland, while he scored another 24 points in the 64–28 win over Waikato.^[3] In October Banks landed a Super Rugby deal with the Hurricanes.^[4] Banks had been prominent at first five-eighth, and Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett said his incredible kicking game had been hard to ignore.

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