Ben Botica

Ben Botica (born 7 October 1989,[3] Takapuna) is a New Zealand rugby union player. A fly-half or centre, he plays for French club Bordeaux Bègles.

Ben Botica
Birth nameBenjamin Botica
Date of birth (1989-10-07) 7 October 1989
Place of birthTakapuna, New Zealand
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Weight85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Notable relative(s)
Occupation(s)Rugby union player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-Half, Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
North Shore Rugby Club[2] ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2012
2012–2016
2016
2017–2019
2019–		 Périgueux
Harlequins
Montpellier
Oyonnax
Bordeaux Bègles		 18
95
9
50
12		 (208)
(551)
(65)
(687)
(80)
Correct as of 6 December 2019
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2012 North Harbour 17 (168)

The son of the New Zealand international Frano Botica, he played rugby at school and was selected to play for the New Zealand Schoolboys team.[4] In 2008, he spent a year in France where he played with the Espoirs (Academy) team of Biarritz Olympique.[5]

He then returned to New Zealand where he joined North Harbour. He played his first professional match in August 2009 against Southland in the Air New Zealand Cup.[6] In 2011, he narrowly missed out on selection for the Auckland Blues franchise and the chance to play in Super Rugby.[4] He returned to France where he played the 2011-2012 Pro D2 season with CA Périgueux.[5]

Late in the season, it was announced that he had signed a two-year contract with Harlequins[1] although he actually signed in October 2011.[7] As a British passport holder, he did not count as a foreign player. In his initial season with Harlequins, he was the top points scorer (with 78) in the LV Cup.[8]

Botica joined Montpellier in 2016 and moved to Oyonnax in 2017.

Notes

    References
    1. "Versatile, young New Zealand back signs for Harlequins". www.quins.co.uk. 17 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
    2. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10506449
    4. "Harlequins biography". www.quins.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
    5. "Fiche Joueur". www.itsrugby.fr. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
    6. "Botica Jr lines up for Harbour". www.stuff.co.nz. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
    7. "Harlequins bring in Kiwi fly-half". www.espnscrum.com. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
    8. "Anglo-Welsh Cup : Stat 2012/2013". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
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