All Blacks test great Franks back in Canterbury colours
Dual World Cup winning All Black Owen Franks will don the Canterbury jersey for the first time in three years for the NPC opener against Manawatu¯ tonight.
The 108-test prop is back in the red-and-black front row after leaving for English club Northampton Saints in 2019.
Franks, 34, has been named to start at tighthead for Canterbury’s visit to Palmerston North.
Canterbury’s new head coach Marty Bourke welcomed the return of Franks, who made his Canterbury debut in 2007.
‘‘With Fletcher [Newell] called into the ABs and a couple of injuries, we were on the lookout for another prop, so to have a guy like Owey available is fantastic,’’ Bourke said.
‘‘He still has ambitions of his own, so if we’re able to provide that opportunity, then that’s really exciting.’’
Super Rugby and test commitments meant Franks played just 24 games for Canterbury over a 12-year-period, but he turned out 153 times for the Crusaders.
He played Super Rugby for the Hurricanes this year, but injury forced a later start to the season.
Franks, who has gym business interests in Christchurch, has reportedly not given up on adding to his tests tally.
He told Stuff in May that ‘‘if you’re playing rugby in New Zealand and you’re eligible for the All Blacks and it’s not your goal then maybe you should rethink why you’re playing.’’
Franks bookends a Canterbury pack containing Crusaders Super Rugby champions Brodie McAllister, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace and Zach Gallagher
and captain Billy Harmon and lock Sam Darry, who played for the Highlanders and Blues respectively.
Former England halfback Willi Heinz – who last played for Canterbury in 2014 – has been named on the bench for his first first-class game in New Zealand since returning to club rugby with Linwood after stints with English clubs Gloucester and Worcester.