ABs prop Ben Franks asks for release from the Crusaders

The Crusaders are considering All Blacks prop Ben Franks' request for an early release from his Super Rugby contract with the team. With the Southern Hemisphere adopting the 2-props-on-the-bench rule next year "utility" props like Franks are less valuable. Accordingly Franks wants to specialise as a tighthead, but would be somewhat limited in game time behind younger brother Owen at the Crusaders, especially as Todd Blackadder is likely to end his policy of rotating starts around the Franks brothers and Wyatt Crockett.

Franks has a 2 year contract with Canterbury at INL Cup level, having transferred back home from Tasman this season. If released he is expected to go into talks with the Highlanders and possibly the Blues over a Super Rugby deal for next season.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7575572/Ben-Franks-wants-off-the-Crusaders-books
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10830577
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7583903/Joseph-open-to-Franks-move-to-Highlanders

I'm surprised he hasn't done this sooner to be honest. I think the Highlanders would be a better move for him and NZ rugby than the Blues.

Maybe a move to the Northern Hemp?

Kingshu wrote:Maybe a move to the Northern Hemp?

I was thinking the same thing. Seeing as he has an All Black cap that will automatically entitle him to a hefty wage somewhere in England of France.

He's timed it a bit wrong now though hasn't he? A lot clubs have probably finished their signings for the moment. Unless he means leaving at the end of the season/year.

Is he struggling for AB game time Pete? And if so is this because he's not too good or just seen as a utility prop?

He wants to move to another franchise

yappysnap wrote:He's timed it a bit wrong now though hasn't he? A lot clubs have probably finished their signings for the moment. Unless he means leaving at the end of the season/year.

Is he struggling for AB game time Pete? And if so is this because he's not too good or just seen as a utility prop?

Doh, the 1st reply I typed to this one has disappeared

At the moment Franks has a steady ABs bench berth, as he's the best utility prop in NZ, though he's a better tighthead than loosehead. Next season when the 23 man bench is adopted at international leve being a good utility is much less valuable. So he wants to specialise as a tight head in order to maximise his ABs selection chances. But at the Crusaders he'd be in a dingdong battle for a starting berth with his brother Owen, who's arguably the best tighthead in the world. Hence a move to another franchise would give him a better chance of a starting berth, more gametime, and more chances to impress Hansen and co.

Seems very sensible and a good move for most (except Crusaders as they're losing a very good prop). Also good to see he's putting loyalty and national interest ahead of money (for now )

Cheers for the explenation. So will it go ahead? Does seem like a good move for every one except Crusaders, would the NZRFU get involved in this as it's in their best interests for him to be at a different club?

From Blackadders comments I'd say they will say yes. No point in keeping a disgruntled player, and no point in annoying the Franks family

There was a lot of opinion down this way, by people who are far more qualified than me to comment Craig Dowd for example, that Ben Franks was performing better during the mid part of Super xv than his brother Owen.

And the question that we never got an answer to was why didnt Todd blackadder give him more game time?

Ben had plenty of game time but it was on both sides of the scrum rather than just one side. The point is his advantage as a utility prop is about to disappear. In the future the 2nd best LH and TH will be on the bench not the best utility. So he wants to ensure he is the 2nd best TH.

Jeez, if HERSH get's wind of this, Ben will be Bath's next big signing.