Ashley Johnson (rugby union)

Ashley Johnson
Full name Ashley Francois Johnson
Date of birth (1986-05-16) 16 May 1986
Place of birth Wynberg, South Africa
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 112 kg (247 lb; 17 st 9 lb)
School Paarl Gymnasium, South Africa
Occupation(s) Professional rugby union footballer
Rugby union career
Position(s) No.8 / Flanker / hooker
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–present Wasps 111 (115)
Correct as of 18 September 2016
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–2012 Free State Cheetahs 63 (95)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2012 Cheetahs 35 (30)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2012 South Africa 3 (0)

Ashley Johnson (born 16 May 1986 in Wynberg, South Africa)[1] is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for Wasps in the Aviva Premiership. He previously played for Free State Cheetahs at provincial level, Central Cheetahs in the Super Rugby and the Springboks. His usual position is hooker, having converted from backrow whilst with current club Wasps. His first game for the Springboks was in 2009 on tour to the British Isles, but he only earned his first Test Caps in the 2011 Tri-Nations series.

Career

Ashley Johnson is the son of Archie Johnson, who played Tight-Head Prop for the Western Province League and the SA Federation team (SA Proteas) in the 80s.[2] Ashley followed in his father's footsteps and started out in the Prop position at school level, before moving to the no8 position.[3]

At an early age Ashley was scouted and received a Nike Bursary, from where he continued his schooling at Paarl Gim. He eventually captained the Paarl Gim 1st team.[3] and a Western Province schools team.

In 2006 Ashley joined the Free State Cheetahs. Between 2008 and 2009 he was loaned to the Griffons Rugby team for short stints, as Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské planned to give Ashley more game time. It was also during this time that Naka Drotské experimented by playing Ashley at Hooker (No. 2) position, but due to injury problems in the loose forwards Ashley Johnson was recalled and had his first true chance to shine at No.8 where he excelled. This earned him his first call-up for the Springboks (South African International Rugby Union Team) in the November 2009 tour to the British Isles.[4][5][6]

On 11 April 2012, Johnson signed for English side London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership for the 2012/13 season.[7]

Squads

Ashley Johnson participated in the following Rugby Union squads:[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ashley Johnson". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. ↑ http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/TriNations/New-look-Ashley-ready-for-Oz-20110719 Sport24: New look Ashley ready for Oz
  3. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 December 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-23. Ashley Johnson – captain of Paarl Gim
  4. ↑ http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/BoksOnTour/Johnsons-fairytale-rise-20091105 Sport24: Johnson's fairytale rise
  5. ↑ http://sport.iafrica.com/news/2023060.htm iAfrica: Div names nine new Boks
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-24. World Cup Web: Cheetahs swoop Currie Cup awards
  7. ↑ "London Wasps sign South Africa back-row forward Ashley Johnson". Daily Mail. 11 April 2012.
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