Frank Pritchard

Frank Pritchard
Personal information
Full name Frank Semu Pritchard[1]
Nickname Cranky, Frank the Tank[2]
Born 3 November 1983
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
Playing information
Position Second-row, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003–10 Penrith Panthers 144 37 0 0 148
2011– Canterbury 87 15 0 0 60
Total 231 52 0 0 208
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–13 New Zealand 27 6 0 0 24
2012 NRL All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
2014 Samoa 3 0 0 0 0
Source: RLP

Frank Semu Pritchard (born 3 November 1983) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. A New Zealand national and Samoan representative, Pritchard main positions are second-row and lock. Pritchard previously played for the Penrith Panthers in 2003-2010.

Background

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Of Samoan descent, Pritchard played his junior rugby league for the St Clair Comets and Campbelltown City Kangaroos and attended Eagle Vale High School before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.[3]

Penrith Panthers 2003-2010

2003

In Round 8 of the 2003 NRL season, Pritchard made is NRL debut for Penrith Panthers against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles off the interchange bench in the Panthers 30-29 win at Penrith Stadium.[4] Pritchard was named 18th man for the Panthers 2003 NRL Grand Final squad playing the Sydney Roosters. Pritchard finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing 7 games for the Panthers in the 2003 NRL season.

2004

In Round 15 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Pritchard scored his first NRL career try in the Panthers 32-12 win at Remondis Stadium.[5] Pritchard finished the 2004 NRL season with him played in 12 matches and scoring 2 tries (8p) for the Panthers.

2005

Pritchard played the first 5 games of the 2005 season off the interchange bench then an opportunity came along for Pritchard to start for Panthers side when regular starting second rower Tony Puletua was sidelined with a season ending pectoral muscle injury.[6] Pritchard played in the 2005 ANZAC Test making his international test debut for New Zealand against Australia at second-row in the Kiwis 32-16 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[7] Pritchard finished the 2005 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 1 try (4p) for the Panthers. Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2005 Tri-Nations series, playing in 3 matches.

2006

Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the 2006 ANZAC Test against Australia off the interchange bench in the Kiwis 50-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[8] Pritchard finished the 2006 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 3 tries (12p) for the Panthers. Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2006 Tri-Nations series, playing in 4 matches including scoring a try in the Kiwis 16-12 golden point Tri-Nations final loss against Australia at SFS.[9]

2007

On 17 February 2007, just before the NRL season, Pritchard and his brother Tom were involved in a violent confrontation in the Liverpool area. His brother reportedly received four knife wounds, including one to the pulmonary artery. Pritchard was stabbed in the hand, which led to him having an operation the next day.[10] Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the 2007 ANZAC Test against Australia off the interchange bench in the Kiwis 30-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[11] In Round 23 against the Newcastle Knights, Pritchard scored a hatrick of tries in the Panthers 46-12 win at Hunter Stadium.[12] Pritchard finished the Panthers last place wooden spoon 2007 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 14 tries (56p). Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2007 All Golds Tour series,[13] playing in 3 matches.

2008

Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the Australia vs. New Zealand 100th century test match at SCG, playing off the interchange bench in the Kiwis 28-12 loss.[14] Pritchard finished the 2008 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 6 tries (24p) for the Panthers. Pritchard was named for the New Zealand squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup but didn’t play a match in the tournament. [15]

2009

Pritchard finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 6 tries (24p) for the Panthers. Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2009 Four Nations series,[16] playing in 3 matches.

2010

On 25 August 2010, Pritchard agreed to 3 year deal to sign with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 2011 onwards.[17] In Round 26 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Pritchard scored a hatrick in the Panthers 50-12 win at Penrith Stadium.[18] Pritchard played in 20 matches and scored 5 tries (20p) in his final season with the Penrith Panthers in the 2010 NRL season. Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2010 Four Nations series,[19] playing in 3 matches.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2011-

2011

In Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season, Pritchard made his club debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against the Wests Tigers off the interchange bench, scoring a try in the Bulldogs 24-14 win at ANZ Stadium.[20] Pritchard finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in all of the Bulldogs 24 matches and scoring 4 tries (16p) in his first year with the club.

2012

On 6 February 2012, Pritchard was chosen to play for the NRL All Stars off the interchange bench in the 28-12 win over the Indigenous All Stars at Robina Stadium.[21] Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the 2012 ANZAC Test against Australia at second-row in the Kiwis 20-12 loss at Eden Park.[22] On 30 September 2012, In the Bulldogs 2012 NRL Grand Final match against the Melbourne Storm, Pritchard started at second-row in the Bulldogs 14-4 loss.[23][24] Pritchard finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 26 matches and scoring 4 tries (16p) for the Bulldogs. Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the October 2012 Test against Australia at second-row in the Kiwis 18-10 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.[25]

2013

For the 2013 Anzac Test Pritchard was selected to play for New Zealand at second-row, scoring a try in the 32-12 loss against Australia.[26] Pritchard finished the Bulldogs 2013 NRL season with him playing 19 matches and scoring 3 tries (12p). Pritchard was selected in the New Zealand 2013 World Cup squad,[27] playing in 3 matches.

2014

On 23 January 2014, Pritchard was appointed as Co-captain of the Bulldogs team alongside Michael Ennis for the 2014 NRL season.[28][29] In Round 6 against the New Zealand Warriors at Eden Park in the Bulldogs 21-20 win, Pritchard suffered a pectoral muscle tear injury,[30] sidelining Pritchard to the Bulldogs Round 26 match against the Gold Coast Titans, playing off the interchange bench in the Bulldogs golden point extra time 19-18 loss at Robina Stadium.[31] On 5 October 2014, in the Bulldogs 2014 NRL Grand Final match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Pritchard played off the interchange bench in the Bulldogs 30-6 loss.[32][33] Pritchard finished the 2014 NRL season with him playing 10 matches and scoring 1 try (4p) for the Bulldogs. On 7 October 2014, Pritchard was selected in the Samoa national rugby league team 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.[34][35] Pritchard played in all 3 matches for Samoa, making his debut against England at second-row in Samoa's 32-26 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[36]

2015

On 23 January 2015, Pritchard was named in the Bulldogs 2015 Auckland Nines squad.[37]

References

  1. ↑ PRITCHARD, FRANK SEMU 2005 - 2010 - KIWI #718 nzleague.co.nz
  2. ↑ http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/10/26/four-nations-review-kiwis-look-the-goods/
  3. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/st-clair-comets-were-started-over-a-beer-and-ended-up-launching-the-career-of-nrl-stars/story-fngr8j33-1226893463549
  4. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/03/1051876901539.html
  5. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/20/1087669837013.html?from=storylhs
  6. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-12/puletua-galuvao-hand-double-injury-blow-to-panthers/1549674
  7. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Price-powers-Kangaroos-to-victory/2005/04/22/1114152326375.html
  8. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/06/rugbyleague.australiarugbyleague
  9. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/australia-regain-trinations-crown/2006/11/25/1164341452153.html
  10. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/national/nrl-star-stabbed-in-wild-karaoke-brawl/story-e6frfkp9-1111113013776
  11. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/broncos-spur-anzac-blitz/story-e6frf3ou-1111113383473
  12. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/panthers-thump-hapless-knights/story-e6frep5x-1111114218221
  13. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/kiwis-set-the-bar-high/2007/09/22/1189881828811.html
  14. ↑ http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2008/05/09/1210131264979.html
  15. ↑ http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3949034,00.html
  16. ↑ http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/kiwis-four-nations-squad-3048027
  17. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/bulldogs-sign-frank-pritchard-from-penrith-panthers-20100825-13rca.html
  18. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/penrith-panthers-secure-second-place-with-50-12-mauling-of-cronulla-sharks/story-e6frexnr-1225914258985
  19. ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4198067/Kiwi-squad-for-Four-Nations-announced
  20. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-beat-wests-tigers-in-nrl-round-one/story-e6frexnr-1226021368238
  21. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/indigenous-all-stars-take-on-nrl-all-stars-for-arthur-beetson-trophy-in-clash-at-skilled-park/story-e6frf3ou-1226262734384
  22. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/lowdown-on-test-blockbuster/story-e6frexni-1226334489834
  23. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-grand-final-bulldogs-v-storm/story-fndujljl-1226484701474
  24. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/our-player-ratings-for-the-nrl-grand-final-between-canterbury-and-the-melbourne-storm/story-fndujljl-1226484848217
  25. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/kangaroos/australia-grind-it-out-in-second-half-to-win-18-10-over-new-zealand-in-townsville-test-match/story-fn2mcuhw-1226495026875
  26. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/australia-beats-new-zealand-32-12-at-canbera-stadium/story-e6frexnr-1226624627487
  27. ↑ http://www.nzrl.co.nz/news-archive/kiwis-side-to-defend-rugby-league-world-cup-named.aspx
  28. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/frank-pritchard-joins-michael-ennis-as-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-cocaptain/story-e6frf3ou-1226808959556
  29. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/frank-pritchard-shocked-to-be-named-cocaptain-at-bulldogs-20140211-32fw4.html
  30. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/it-is-only-midapril-but-frank-pritchard-may-have-played-his-final-game-for-2014/story-e6frf3pu-1226884328481
  31. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/the-titans-have-mounted-a-comefrombehind-victory-to-beat-the-bulldogs-1918-in-golden-point/story-fniabrr8-1227050617013
  32. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-win-2014-nrl-grand-final-defeating-canterbury-bulldogs-306/story-fni3fbgz-1227080755667
  33. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-grand-final-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/82377/default.aspx
  34. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82434/default.aspx
  35. ↑ http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad-15250/
  36. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/lucky-england-down-samoa-in-2014-four-nations-thriller-at-suncorp-stadium/story-fniabjcr-1227102208959
  37. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/auckland-nines-2015-josh-morris-headlines-strong-squad-named-by-canterbury-bulldogs/story-e6frf3pu-1227194200511

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