Jack Whetton
| Full name | Jack Whetton | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 May 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Berlin, Germany | ||
| Height | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) | ||
| Weight | 114 kg (17 st 13 lb) | ||
| School | Rosmini College | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Gary Whetton (father) Alan Whetton (uncle) William Whetton (brother) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Lock | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2014-2015 | Leicester Tigers | 2 | (0) |
| correct as of 7 February 2015. | |||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2012 2013- |
Northland Auckland |
7 20 |
(5) (10) |
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2014 | Brumbies | 6 | (0) |
Jack Whetton (born 24 May 1992) is a New Zealand Rugby Union player who currently plays as a lock for Auckland in the ITM Cup[1][2] and the Brumbies in Super Rugby.[3][4]
Career
Whetton started out his playing career in North Harbour, playing two years of club rugby there before debuting in the 2012 ITM Cup for Northland. He switched to Auckland for the 2013 season due to personal reasons and played 9 matches as his side made the semi-finals of the competition.[2] His performances caught the attention of the Blues Super Rugby franchise who wanted to contract him to their wider training group for the 2013 Super Rugby season. In a controversial move that shocked the rugby world, he turned down their offer and instead signed for the Brumbies in October 2012.[3][5] During his time in Canberra, Whetton became an avid bird-watcher. He was often easily distracted at training by the sight of them, much to the dismay of the senior playing group.[1][3]
Whetton comes from a family with a rich rugby tradition. His father Gary played 180 games for Auckland and 58 for the All Blacks and is the chairman of the Blues franchise which made his switch to the Brumbies all the more surprising. His uncle Alan also played 65 tests for the All Blacks and spent 12 years with Auckland, as well as three months in prison.[1][3]
He is eligible to play for to play international rugby for New Zealand, Germany and Australia. He qualifies for New Zealand through his parents, Germany through birth and for Australia through his grandfather.[4] It has always been the wish of his grandfather for him to wear the green and gold of Australia, which has often caused much friction between the Whetton family at Christmas.
On 2 December 2014, Whetton signed a short-term deal with Leicester Tigers until the end of the season.[6] He currently lives at the infamous 'Fort Skins' in Leicester along with his pals, Tommy Evans, Fraser James and Gregory Howard Peterson. In his spare time, he enjoys roller-blading and riding his BMX bike throughout the town centre. On January 21st, 2015, Whetton renounced his bird-watching after a lacklustre period of spotting in England.[7]
Whetton's favourite colour is brown and he has six different watches.[1][3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Jack Whetton Auckland Player Profile". Auckland Rugby. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- 1 2 "Jack Whetton Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Whetton leaves family shadow for ACT". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- 1 2 "Brumbies sign son of Gary Whetton". ESPN Scrum. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ↑ Gaskin, Lee (24 October 2013). "Brumbies look to NZ for fresh blood". Canberra Times. Fairfax. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- ↑ "Jack Whetton: Leicester Tigers sign son of ex-All Blacks skipper". BBC Sport. 2 December 2014.
- ↑ "Jack Whetton: Leicester Tigers sign son of ex-All Blacks skipper". BBC Sport. 2 December 2014.