Jason Woodward

Jason Christopher Woodward (born 17 May 1990[1] in Wellington, New Zealand) is a professional rugby union player who plays for Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby.

Jason Woodward
Full nameJason Christopher Woodward
Date of birth (1990-05-17) 17 May 1990
Place of birthLower Hutt, New Zealand
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb)
SchoolSt. Patrick's College Silverstream
UniversityHartpury College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2016 Wellington 38 (267)
2013–2014 Rebels 26 (210)
2015–2016 Hurricanes 18 (42)
2016–2017 Bristol 17 (91)
2017–2022 Gloucester 55 (80)
2022– Sale Sharks 0 (0)
Correct as of 28 July 2020
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 New Zealand U20 4 (0)
Correct as of 25 May 2019

Early career

Woodward played for the Upper Hutt Premier team,[1] and was a regular in the Upper Hutt Leader. In 2010, Woodward made the New Zealand U20s[2] and represented New Zealand at the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, helping the team to win the competition undefeated.

Domestic career

Wellington

Woodward played his first provincial season with the Wellington Lions in 2011.[3] On debut he scored all of Wellington Lions' three tries to beat Taranaki 23–5 in the 2011 season's opening game.[4]

Rebels

Woodward joined the Melbourne Rebels following a strong 2012 ITM Cup campaign with the Wellington Lions. However an injury sustained pre-season delayed his debut until round six of the 2013 Super Rugby season. Woodward made his debut in an unfortunate 64–7 belting from the Sharks in Durban.[5] He started at outside centre.[6] Back in Australia for round eight in Perth, Woodward started on the right wing against the Western Force. He scored his first and second tries in Super Rugby and helped the Rebels win 30–23.[7]

Hurricanes

June 2014, Woodward joined the Hurricanes after signing a two-year deal to return to his home franchise. The then 24-year-old returned to Wellington at the end of the 2014 Super Rugby competition ending a two-season stint with the Melbourne Rebels.[8] Woodward's Super Rugby season would be soon over after he broke his ankle playing club rugby in Wellington. He suffered the injury when he was caught between two defenders while playing at centre for club side Upper Hutt against Oriental Rongotai at the Polo Ground in Miramar. Woodward had been used only sparingly by the Hurricanes throughout the 2015 season with just three appearances, but had been in good form since starting the opening two matches in South Africa against the Lions and Bulls. With Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Marshall also used at fullback, Woodward's only other appearance had been against his former team the Rebels at Westpac Stadium in round seven.[9]

Bristol Rugby

On 12 September 2016 it was announced that Woodward had signed a two-year deal with Aviva Premiership club Bristol Rugby.[10]

Gloucester Rugby

Following Bristol Rugby's relegation at the end of the 2016-17 Aviva Premiership season it was reported Woodward had a relegation clause in his contract, which was reported to be activated by Gloucester Rugby, where Woodward would link up with some of his former Hartpury College friends.[11]

Sale Sharks

After his release from Gloucester, Woodward signed for Premiership rivals Sale Sharks for the 2022-23 season.[12]

International career

In May 2017 he was invited to a training camp with the senior England squad by Eddie Jones.[13]

Personal life

Woodward's father Glen was a loose forward for Hutt Old Boys in the 1980s before arthritis cut his career short, while brothers Aidan and Jared are both making names for themselves with the Upper Hutt Rams. He spent two years in England on exchange at Hartpury College, however he left early to further his rugby career in New Zealand and therefore has no formal qualifications, unlike his sister who is a former New Zealand Fencing Champion and is University educated.[14] He also studied to become a commercial helicopter pilot. In his spare time he enjoys driving monster trucks [15]

References
  1. "Wellington Club Rugby: Clubs, Teams & People".
  2. "International Rugby Board". www.irb.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010.
  3. "Players | Vodafone Wellington Lions". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  4. Napier, Liam (16 July 2011). "Wellington sink Taranaki in season opener". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  5. "Rebels suffer 64–7 loss to the Sharks in Durban" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Sharks 64–7 Rebels". South African Rugby Union. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  7. "Jason Woodward signs for the Hurricanes". Stuff. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  8. "Hurricanes fullback Jason Woodward's Super Rugby season over after breaking ankle in club match". Stuff. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  9. "Jason Woodward: Bristol sign Hurricanes back on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  10. "Gloucester Rugby set to sign full-back from Bristol". Glosliveonline. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  11. "Premiership: Sale Sharks snap up former Gloucester back Jason Woodward on one-year contract". Planet Rugby. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  12. "England rugby: Willi Heinz and Jason Woodward selected for training camp". BBC Sport. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  13. "Jason Woodward: Melbourne Rebel with a cause". Stuff. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  14. "Rugby: Woodward's not your average rugby player". New Zealand Herald. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
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