OWEN FRANKS
All Blacks prop legend tells why he has decided to become a Saint
DECORATED All Black Owen Franks insists past glories count for nothing as he aims to boost Northampton’s bid for domestic and European silverware.
After 106 appearances for New Zealand, another 150odd for the Crusaders, two World Cup wins and three Super Rugby titles, Franks might have been forgiven for viewing a lucrative stint in England as a chance to build his pension pot.
However, that is not part of his competitive make-up and, at 31, tighthead specialist Franks has come to England hungry to learn and prove himself all over again. In his eyes, if former All Blacks teammate John Afoa can do it at Bristol, so can he.
Ahead of an expected Saints debut against Lyon today, Franks told The
Rugby Paper: “My main motivation is to test myself in the English Premiership and Europe. It’s known as being a hugely attritional and physical game here and I’m keen to prove myself.
“I’m still good to go for another five or six years and feel I can improve further.
I’ve traded messages with John Afoa and he’s my inspiration. He’s 36 and still playing at a really high level and it seems like he’s been one of the better players in the Premiership for a long time now, so if I can emulate that I’ll be very happy.”
Was it hard to leave the Crusaders? “Not really. I don’t want to say it in an arrogant way, but I achieved everything I could at that club. It was an awesome team to be part of and I’m very grateful for what they’ve given me, but I think it was a good time to move on.
“The last thing I want to do is hang around and become complacent, that’s not me.
“I’m really keen for the different challenges. Saints play a really exciting game which I’m looking forward to getting a part of and they’ve got a lot of tighthead depth here.
“I didn’t realise that guys like Ehren Painter and Paul Hill were so young but they’re well aligned in their development and really strong guys.”
Having surprisingly been omitted from New Zealand’s World Cup squad, Franks admits watching the tournament unfold while being on standby was a surreal experience.
“I won’t lie, it was tough being left out. It was very bitter-sweet watching that tournament and being unable to influence anything, but I’m still an All Blacks fan and I enjoyed watching the games.
“I had a good run with New Zealand and although I’d have liked to finish on a better note, that’s the way it goes and I’ve achieved good things. The important thing now is that I’m here and I have a lot of new challenges to focus on.”
Franks added: “To be honest, my records with the All Blacks and Crusaders don’t mean a lot to me while I’m still playing. I think I’ve still got a lot to give and I think I’m still improving, so I’m not one to look back as if I deserve some sort of special status for what I’ve done.
“It’s a nice memory I’ll look back on when I’m finished, but for now all I’m interested in is helping Northampton be successful.
“I hadn’t realised the squad but one thing that worked really well at the Crusaders, and what Chris Boyd’s done here, is giving young guys opportunities to put their hands up.
“A lot of them have taken those chances and have a good handle on what it takes at this level, so it’s an exciting squad that I’m pleased to be part of it.”