Stan Wright (rugby union)

Stan Wright (born 29 September 1978) is a retired Cook Islands international rugby union player, who played in the prop position for Leinster, Blues and Stade Français.[2][3]

Stan Wright
Birth nameStanley Wright
Date of birth (1978-09-29) 29 September 1978
Place of birthRarotonga, Cook Islands
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1.5 in)
Weight131 kg (20 st 8 lb 288 lb)[1]
SchoolTereora College
Notable relative(s)Poila Wright (Mama Tuki)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Retired
Youth career
  Whangarei Marist, Auckland Marist
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–2000
2000–2006
2006
2006–2011
2011–2013
2013–2015
2015–2016		 Ystradgynlais
Northland
Blues
Leinster
Stade Français
RC Narbonne
Oyonnax		 0
61
0
94
57
54
14		 (0)
(5)
(0)
(5)
(0)
(25)
(0)
Correct as of 30 April 2020
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
  Cook Islands 9 (9)

Playing career

Stan's played for clubs such as the Marist Club in Whangārei, and for Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup where he played alongside Fijian flyer, Rupeni Caucaunibuca. He was also part of the Auckland Blues squad for the 2006 Super 14 season, however, he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Wright joined Irish side Leinster in December 2006 as an injury replacement for Will Green, after he was recommended to the club by Auckland scrum coach Mike Casey, who was a friend of the then Leinster forwards coach, Mike Brewer. Wright proved himself to be a successful scrummager and eventually nailed himself down as the first choice prop for the club.

The following season, Stanley helped Leinster to their 2nd Magners League title win, with a number of impressive performances in the front row, he was rewarded for this by being selected in the '07/08 League Dream Team', along with six other players from Leinster. Wright won the IRUPA Sports 'Unsung Hero' award for his performances in the 2008-09 Magners League season.[4]

Stanley won the 2009 and 2011 Heineken Cup with Leinster, before moving on to French side Stade Français. He was extremely popular with the Leinster supporters and he earned the nickname 'Cookie Monster' because of his home nation, the Cook Islands.[5]

Coaching career

Stan was appointed Forwards coach for the amateur Irish Rugby team, Suttonians RFC, for the 2009–2010 season.

In 2016, Stanley was hired as coach of the under 20's Cook Islands Rugby team.[6]

Personal life

Stan's mother, Poila Wright (Mama Tuki) was awarded an OBE in 2007.[7]

In 2011, Stan was the highest paid athlete from the Cook Islands.[8]

Honours

Cups

Personal Honours

References
  1. "Stan Wright". ERC. Archived from the original on 18 December 2012.
  2. "Leinster Announce Squad For New Season". Irish Rugby. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010.
  3. "Schmidt's reign begins".
  4. "O'Driscoll honoured by his peers". Irish Times. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  5. "Born on this day- 29th September". Ruck. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  6. "National Rugby Coach Stan Wright to visit Cook Islands". Cook Islands Rugby. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019.
  7. "Pukapuka , Cook Islands - 'Land of beautiful girls'".
  8. "The Mag: Best-paid players from 200 countries". 4 May 2012.
  9. "Leinster Quintet make Magners League Dream Team". May 2011.
  1. Formerly known as Celtic League / Magners League
  2. Formerly known as Heineken European Cup
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