Ricky Riccitelli
| Full name | John Ricky Riccitelli | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 3 February 1995 | ||
| Place of birth | Durban, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Weight | 102 kg (225 lb) | ||
| School | Francis Douglas Memorial College | ||
| University | University of Otago | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Hooker, Prop | ||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2015– | Hawke's Bay | 18 | (0) |
| correct as of 16 October 2016. | |||
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2016– | Hurricanes | 9 | (0) |
| correct as of 6 August 2016. | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2015 | New Zealand U-20 | 7 | (0) |
| correct as of 20 June 2015. | |||
John Ricky Riccitelli (born 3 February 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the hooker position for Hawke's Bay and the Wellington based Super Rugby side the Hurricanes.[1]
Early life
Riccitelli was born on 3 February 1995, in Durban, South Africa to parents, Gail Luiz and John Riccitelli.[2] He is of predominantly South African descent, but also has little Italian ancestry. Riccitelli and his parents migrated to New Zealand when he was four-years old after his mum got a job in the country. He grew up in New Plymouth where he attended Francis Douglas Memorial College.[3] Riccitelli, was the school's sportsman of the year in 2012. He represented Taranaki at under-14, 16 and 18 levels and gained Hurricanes under-16 tournament team selection in 2012. While studying at Otago University for the past three years, Riccitelli had played for the Southern club in Dunedin and also captained the Otago under-19's. He also excelled at cricket representing Taranaki through the grades, his school's 1st XI for four years as well as the Central Districts under-19 squad.[2]
In 2015 Riccitelli departed for the world under-20 championship in Italy, regularly spending time doing skill sessions with former Highlanders assistant coach Jon Preston. While turning out for New Zealand in the Oceania Junior Championship earlier in the year, Riccitelli went on to feature in a maximum seven out of eight games including their historic win over England in the final starting at loosehead prop.[2]
Domestic career
Hawke's Bay
While there was interest from other provincial unions for Riccitelli, he signed a two-year deal with Hawke's Bay after coach Craig Philpott confirmed the signing in May 2015. Philpott was impressed with his performance after noticing him at the New Zealand under-20 trial camps.[2] He made his debut for the province in 2015, playing the season's first two out of three Ranfurly Shield matches against Horowhenua-Kapiti and Mid Canterbury.[4] He made a further six appearances during the 2015 ITM Cup season.
2016 saw Riccitelli feature in a disappointing Hawke's Bay season that finished in last place. He though continued to make progress as a loosehead prop during their Mitre 10 Cup campaign. Riccitelli, returned to his primary and preferred role of hooker when the side hosted Bay of Plenty in which was their final outing of the season at Napier's McLean Park.[5] He extended is appearances out to eighteen after he played in all Hawke's Bay's ten matches, making it a seasons best.
Hurricanes
Riccitelli joined the Hurricanes after being called up into the squad to replace the injured Dane Coles. He made his Super Rugby debut when being announced in the squads 23-man team to play the Brumbies in their season opener.[6] He then had his short-term injury cover contract with the Hurricanes extended after the coaching staff had been impressed with his work ethic.[7] After the Hurricanes success throughout the season, Riccitelli appeared in all three finals including their grand final win over the Lions, impressing the Hurricanes' coaches with his accurate lineout throwing and strong ball-carrying.[8]
Statistics
| Year | Union | Competition | GP | GS | TRY | CON | PEN | DGL | GK% | PTS |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hawke's Bay | Mitre 10 Cup (incl. Ranfurly Shield) |
8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016 | Hurricanes | Super Rugby | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career | 27 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Updated: 19 October 2016
References
- ↑ "Ricky Riccitelli Hawke's Bay Profile". 2 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "John Ricky Riccitelli". Luiz History. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ↑ "Focus now on Ranfurly Shield for Ricky Riccitelli". Stuff. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ "Will it be lucky number 14 for the Ranfurly Shield challengers?". ITM Cup. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ "Rugby: Riccitelli revved for preferred role". Stuff. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ↑ "New Hurricanes captain Dane Coles has to wait to lead the team out". Stuff. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ "Riccitelli's contract extended". Hawke's Bay Today. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
- ↑ "Hurricanes back-up hooker Ricky Riccitelli undaunted by prospect of replacing Dane Coles". Hawke's Bay Today. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
External links
- Ricky Riccitelli at All Blacks.com
- Ricky Riccitelli at It'sRugby.co.uk