Nic Stirzaker

Nic Stirzaker (born 8 March 1991) is an Australian rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is scrum-half and he currently plays for the Montauban in the Pro D2. Prior to that he represented the Rebels in Super Rugby and Melbourne Rising in the National Rugby Championship and Bristol Bears in Premiership Rugby.

Nic Stirzaker
Stirzaker with Melbourne Rising
Birth nameNic Stirzaker
Date of birth (1991-03-08) 8 March 1991
Place of birthLondon, England
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Weight80 kg (12 st 8 lb; 176 lb)
SchoolKnox Grammar School, Sydney
UniversitySydney University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–
2018
2018–2020
2020–		 Melbourne Rising
Saracens
Bristol
Montauban		 17
2
17		 (35)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 6 November 2017
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Manawatu 10 (15)
Correct as of 22 October 2013
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2017 Rebels 59 (30)
Correct as of 6 November 2017
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016 Australia XV 1 0

Early life

Stirzaker was born in England to South African parents, but was raised in Australia from the age of two. He is one of three brothers and developed his love of Rugby at Knox Grammar School in Sydney.[1]

Club career

Playing rugby at both Knox Grammar School and Sydney University, Stirzaker was signed to be a part of the Rebels extended playing squad during the 2012 season only playing a total of three games all coming off the bench. After his debut season as an extended player, Stirzaker played eleven games for the Rebels throughout 2013, starting twice and coming off the bench on nine occasions. On 25 June 2013, Stirzaker come off the bench in the 55th minute to play for the Rebels against the British & Irish Lions during their 2013 tour in a 0–35 defeat at AAMI Park, Melbourne.[2][3][4]

In March 2014, Stirzaker re-signed with the Rebels until the succession of the 2015 season.[5] Stirzaker was subsequently released to Palmerston North-based ITM Cup team Manawatu Rugby Club for the 2013 season.[6][7] Finishing the season fifth in the Championship division, Stirzaker scored a total of three tries before returning to the Rebels in 2014.

Sustaining an injury before the 2014 season, Stirzaker only played eight of the sixteen games, starting in just four.[8] After a fairly successful 2015 season for Stirzaker – playing fifteen games, scoring three tries, and helped lead the Rebels to a tenth position – he was among rumours of a possible call up to the Wallabies squad.[9] Stirzaker is eligible to represent three countries internationally. Australia, England, and South Africa.

In early 2016, Stirzaker was announced as captain of the Rebels ahead of the season.[10] He had undergone off-season shoulder surgery causing him to miss the season-opening match of the 2016 season against the Force in Perth.[11][12][13] Stirzaker returned to full fitness to play the Waratahs in 17–21 victory in round 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.[14] He played a total of eleven games scoring two tries.

In January 2018, Stirzaker signed a short, three-month term contract for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership for the 2017–18 season.[15][16][17][18]

In late January 2018 Bristol Rugby announced that Stirzaker would join them for the upcoming 2018-19 Premiership Rugby season.

After leaving Bristol, Stirzaker moves to France to join Pro D2 outfit Montauban for the 2020-21 season.[19]

International career

Stirzaker was selected and played for Australia XV that played the French Barbarians in late 2016 losing 19–11 in Bordeaux.[20][21] After previous successful seasons Stirzaker captained a Rebels team that finished wooden spooners for the 2017 season, and faced possible axing out of the competition.

Super Rugby statistics
As of 6 November 2017[22]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2012 Rebels303300000000
2013 Rebels11292420000000
2014 Rebels8443150000000
2015 Rebels15141103930001510
2016 Rebels119257720001000
2017 Rebels111107081000511
Total594019291160003021

References
  1. "Player Profile: Nic Stirzaker". Melbourne Rebels. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014.
  2. "Lions 2013: Melbourne Rebels 0–35 British and Irish Lions". BBC Sport. 25 June 2013.
  3. "Rebels 0–35 British & Irish Lions". espn.co.uk. 25 June 2013.
  4. "Five try boost ahead of second test". lionsrugby.com. 29 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013.
  5. "Stirzaker extends Rebels contract". Melbourne Rebels. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
  6. "Stirzaker released for Manawatu". stuff.co.nz. 3 July 2013.
  7. "Fresh wind to lift Turbos". stuff.co.nz. 31 August 2013.
  8. "The contenders – Scrum-half". Melbourne Rebels. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014.
  9. "Rebels halfback Nick Stirzaker battles Waratahs rival in Wallaby audition". The Daily Telegraph. 24 April 2015.
  10. "Super Rugby 2016: Nic Stirzaker named new Melbourne Rebels captain". Fox Sports Australia. 19 February 2016.
  11. "Rebels outlast Force". Sanzar. 27 February 2016.
  12. "Melbourne Rebels lose captain Nic Stirzaker for Super Rugby season-opener against Western Force". The Herald Sun. 25 February 2016.
  13. "Rebels lose captain for rugby season opener". SBS. 25 February 2016.
  14. "Melbourne Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker back starting for NSW Waratahs showdown". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 April 2016.
  15. "Stirzaker signs with Saracens". rugby.com.au. 4 January 2018.
  16. "Saracens sign Australian scrum-half Nic Stirzaker on three-month deal". Sky Sports. 3 January 2018.
  17. "Saracens signs Nic Stirzaker". Saracens. 3 January 2018.
  18. "Saracens: Scrum-half Nic Stirzaker joins on three-month contract". BBC Sport. 3 January 2018.
  19. "Stirzaker to depart for Montauban". Bristol Rugby. 23 March 2020.
  20. "REPLAY: Wallaby XV vs French Barbarians". rugby.com.au. 25 November 2016.
  21. "Wallaby XV stumble against French Barbarians". rugby.com.au. 25 November 2016.
  22. "Player Statistics". its rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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