Riki Flutey

Infobox Rugby Union biography
playername = Riki Flutey


fullname = Riki Flutey
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1980|2|10
cityofbirth =
countryofbirth = New Zealand
height = height|ft=5|in=10
weight = 13 st 13 lbs (88 kg)
nickname =
school =
university =
relatives =
position = Inside Centre / Fly-half
currentclub = London Wasps
clubnumber = 12
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years =

2004 ‐ 07
2007 ‐
clubs =Petone Rugby Club
Hawkes Bay
Wellington Hurricanes
London Irish
London Wasps
caps(points) =

36 (272)
10 (11)
repyears =
repteam = New Zealand Māori
repcaps(points) =
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Riki Flutey (born 10 February 1980) is a rugby union footballer who plays fly half or centre for London Wasps in the Guinness Premiership. Riki joined London Irish from the New Zealand Super 12 side, Wellington Hurricanes. He has represented New Zealand at all age groups and was a member of the Under 19 team that won the U19 World Cup in 1999. He first played for the New Zealand Māori in 2002.

He moved to England to play for London Irish at the end of 2004. His arrival inspired the team to a play-off place in the 2006-07 Guinness Premiership.

He announced he would leave London Irish to join London Wasps at the end of the 2006/07 season.

2007/2008 London Wasps

Riki flourished in the 2007/2008 season for Wasps, winning the respect of many pundits and fellow players. The management within the Wasps set-up have been quoted as saying that they are phenomenally impressed with Fluteys' work ethic and professionalism. This has come across in his performances, with pundits stating that Flutey is arguably the best centre in England at present. Flutey was rewarded for his excellent debut season with Wasps when he was named Player of the Year at the PRA awards, with his team mate Danny Cipriani recognised as the young player of the year.

England Eligibility

Due to Riki's fine form this season, many have kept an eye on his eligibility to play for England. Flutey will qualify for England on the grounds of residency at the beginning of the 2008/2009 season and as Wasps' newly-elected Player of the Year, chose the club's annual awards bash on 14th May 2008 to announce that, after due deliberation, he will bid to complete his metamorphosis as soon as he completes his three-year residential qualification in September. Flutey, 28, has wisely taken time to get his head round the idea. 'When I got injured in mid-season, the club allowed me to go home for a fortnight, which meant I could gather my thoughts,' he said. 'I spoke to family members and they were right behind me. 'I've done my time in New Zealand. The English Premiership has enabled me to nail down one position instead of being a utility back and if the chance comes to play for England, I'd grab it.'

On Tuesday 1st July 2008, Riki was named in Martin Johnson's first England Elite Squad.

References

External links

* [http://www.wasps.co.uk/playerdisplaySS.ink?skip=8&season=07/08&seasonl=2007/2008&playertype=P Wasps profile]