Ben Botica
| File:Ben Botica.jpg | |||
| Full name | Benjamin Botica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 October 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Takapuna, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[1] | ||
| Weight | 85 kg (13 st 5 lb) | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Frano Botica | ||
| Occupation(s) | Professional rugby union footballer | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Fly-Half, Centre | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| North Shore[2] | |||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011–2012 2012–2016 2016- |
Périgueux Harlequins Montpellier |
18 95 |
(208) (551) |
| correct as of 13 May 2016. | |||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2009–2012 | North Harbour | 17 | (168) |
Ben Botica (born 7 October 1989,[n 1] Takapuna) is a New Zealand born[n 2] rugby union Fly-Half or Centre.
The son of the New Zealand international Frano Botica, Benjamin Botica was born on 7 October 1989 in Takapuna.[3] He played rugby at school and was selected to play for the New Zealand Schoolboys team.[3] In 2008, he spent a year in France where he played with the Academy[n 3] team of Biarritz Olympique.[4]
He then returned to his native country where he joined the North Harbour team. He played his first professional match in August 2009 against Southland in the Air New Zealand Cup.[5] In 2011, he narrowly missed out on selection for the Auckland Blues franchise and the chance to play in the Super Rugby.[3] He decided to return to France where he played the 2011-2012 Pro D2 season with CA Périgueux.[4]
Late in the season, it was announced that he had signed a two-year contract with Harlequins[1] though he actually signed in October 2011.[6]
Botica plays at Fly-half or Centre.[3]
In his initial season with Harlequins, he was the top points scorer (with 78) in the LV= Cup.[7]
His last appearance for Harlequins came as a sub against Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup Final. Quins lost 19-26 and Botica will be best known for his inexplicable kick to nothing as his team chased an unlikely draw after the 80th minute. Many observers including former Lion, Brian O'Driscoll, found the choice impossible to explain.
Botica now plays for Montpellier who as a result of their win against Quins will play in the Champions Cup in the 2016/17 season.
Notes
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- Pages with reference errors
- Use British English from November 2012
- Use dmy dates from November 2012
- Pages with broken file links
- 1989 births
- Living people
- New Zealand rugby union players
- North Harbour rugby union players
- Rugby union fly-halves
- Rugby union centres
- Harlequin F.C. players
- New Zealand people of Croatian descent
