Nathan Hughes
 Hughes in action for Wasps against Harlequins. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 10 June 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Lautoka, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 125 kg (19 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St Thomas High School, Kelston Boys High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | professional rugby player | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nathan William Jeremy Hughes (born 10 June 1991 in Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian born rugby footballer who plays for Wasps and England. He plays as a flanker, a number 8 or at lock.
Career
In 2009, Hughes was scouted by Kelston Boys' High School's Athens Henare, the head of department for P.E for Kelston, when they toured Fiji in 2008. He went to NZ on a partial scholarship. In his first year, Hughes scooped the team player of the year award. He also made the Auckland Under-18 team and he followed it up by making the Auckland Under-20 team while still playing for his 1st XV, Kelston Boys High School and because of his superb performance, he joined the Auckland High Performance Academy.[1]
In January 2012, he returned to Fiji to take part in the invitational Uprising 7's missing the New Zealand 7's team trials for a chance to represent Fiji. He played for the Auckland Invitational side coached by former Fiji 15's coach, Wayne Pivac.[2] He also helped his Auckland side win the NZ 7's Championships in 2012.[3]
Nathan made his debut off the bench for Auckland against Otago in the 2011 ITM Cup.
In February 2013, he was selected by the then Fiji 15's coach, Inoke Male to join the Fiji Warriors team for the 2013 Pacific Rugby Cup.[4] He was named the Vice-captain of the warriors team which was skippered by current Crusaders winger, Nemani Nadolo.[5]
In March 2013, he signed for English premiership side, Wasps.[6]
To help with his transition to the English Premiership and the level of fitness required by Wasps, Hughes was sent on an intense conditioning program with the renowned trainer, William of Effingham, who consistently urged Hughes to "attack the hill".
Hughes has had strong performances in the 2013–14 premiership season and has considered his international allegiance as he is currently eligible for Fiji, Samoa and also England in 2016.[7]
In March 2015, during the 2014–15 season, he was controversially red carded (a career first) in the game against Northampton Saints after a shin collided with the head of George North after he scored a try, knocking him out.[8] He was handed a 3-week suspension but after an appeal was lodged, he was cleared. His red card and three-week ban were both judged to have been predicated more on the resulting injury to North than the intent or otherwise of the challenge.[9]
International career
In August 2016, Hughes was named in the provisional 45-man elite player squad (EPS) England squad for their pre-season training camp.[10] On 30 September 2016 he was subsequently named in the training squad for the Autumn Internationals.[11]
In November 2016, he made his debut for England off the bench against South Africa replacing Tom Wood in the 53rd minute.
Personal life
Hughes, who was born and raised in Lautoka played hockey most of his childhood. He attended St. Thomas High School in Lautoka and he represented them nationally in field hockey. His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby. His father is the former Fiji hockey rep, William Hughes.
In May 2014, he married his longtime girlfriend, Ella.[12]
External links
- Nathan Hughes at ESPNscrum
- Auckland Rugby
- London Wasps profile
- NZ Yahoo profile
References
- ^ "Chip off the old block shines abroad - Fiji Times Online". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Kiwi snubs trials for Fiji - Fiji Times Online". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Nathan for NZ - Fiji Times Online". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Male selects PRC squad - Fiji Times Online". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Warriors make two changes for Blues Development - Fiji Times Online". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "BBC Sport - London Wasps to bring in Nathan Hughes and Rory Pitman". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Aviva Premiership: Nathan Hughes weighs up international future - Live Rugby News - ESPN Scrum". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ PASpors (28 March 2015). "Saints play down George North injury fears". Scrum.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
- ^ Press Association (10 April 2015). "Nathan Hughes' appeal against three-week ban upheld by RFU". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "England name Hughes, recall Youngs | Planetrugby.com". Planetrugby.com. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- ^ "England Rugby: Eddie Jones calls up seven uncapped players". BBC Sport. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ "Nathan Hughes proves dedication 'I spent my wedding night in a pub watching Wasps' - Daily Mail Online". Retrieved 8 March 2015.