Tom Staniforth (rugby union)

Tom Staniforth
Personal information
Full nameThomas Staniforth
Born13 August 1994
Canberra, Australia
Height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight113 kg (17 st 11 lb)
School(s) attendedCanberra Grammar School
RelativesScott Staniforth (cousin)
Club information
Playing positionLock
Current clubBrumbies
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeam
2013Canberra Royals()
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Pts)
2014–Brumbies1(0)
2014–Canberra Vikings8(0)
Representative team(s)
2013–Australia U205(5)
* Senior club appearances and points correct as of 3 December 2014.

† Appearances (Points).

‡ Representative team caps and points correct as of 3 December 2014.

Tom Staniforth (born 13 August 1994) is an Australian rugby union player who currently plays as a lock for the Brumbies in the international Super Rugby competition.[1][2]

Career

Staniforth was involved in the Brumbies pre-season plans ahead of the 2014 Super Rugby season, however he was unable to win a contract with either then senior squad or the wider training group. As a result he was forced to take up part-time work as a glass-collector to supplement his rugby earnings.[1]

His big break came ahead of the Brumbies clash with the Reds in Brisbane as injuries to both Sam Carter and Leon Power left head coach Stephen Larkham short on second-row options. As a result, Staniforth was handed a two-week contract to provide injury cover. Surprisingly he found himself named in the starting line-up for the match at Suncorp Stadium which his side won 23–20. He played the first 65 minutes of the game and put in a credible performance against two experienced Wallabies in the shape of James Horwill and Rob Simmons. Indeed Horwill was quoted after the game as saying: "He's a guy I imagine will have a big future. It's always good to see a young guy come through."[1][3]

The Brumbies moved swiftly to tie Staniforth down to a longer-term deal, with the player signing a contract in May 2014 to tie him to the Brumbies until 2016.[4]

International career

Staniforth was part of the Australia Under 20 side which competed in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France.[5][6] He was once again included the following year, also being named one of the vice-captains.[7] He Scored a try against ireland.

Super Rugby Statistics

As of 24 December 2014
Season Team Games Starts Sub Mins Tries Cons Pens Drops Points Yel Red
2014 Brumbies 1 1 0 66 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 1 0 66 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Brumbies rookie Tom Staniforth wants to 'go gangbusters' after Super Rugby debut". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  2. "Tom Staniforth itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  3. "Reds vs Brumbies 11 April 2014 Match Breakdown". SA Rugby. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  4. "Brumbies sign young guns Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Staniforth". Canberra Times. Fairfax. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  5. "Tom Staniforth IRB JWC Player Profile". IRB.com. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  6. "Australia U20 Media Guide 2013" (PDF). Rugby Australia. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  7. "Australian Under 20s announce squad for Junior World Champs" (Press release). Australian Rugby Union. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.