Willi Heinz (born 24 November 1986) is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for Canterbury in the Bunnings NPC and the Crusaders in Super Rugby. Heinz started his professional career with the 2 clubs before moving to England and playing for Gloucester and Worcester Warriors in the Premiership. After almost a decade away from home, Heinz returned to Christchurch in 2022 to play for Canterbury and the Crusaders. He has also represented England internationally.
Birth name | Willi Heinz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 24 November 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 181.5 cm (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 88 kg (13 st 12 lb; 194 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Heinz played four years in his 1st XV rugby team at school, Burnside High, which is a record for the school.[citation needed]
On 24 February 2015, English Premiership club Gloucester Rugby announced his signing for the start of the 2015–16 season.[1]
In May 2017, he was invited to a training camp with the senior England squad by Eddie Jones.[2] Heinz qualifies to represent England through his grandmother.[3]
In August 2019, he was selected as the starting scrum-half and vice-captain for England's first summer international against Wales. That game marked his international debut for the England national team. The next day, Heinz was named in England's 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
On 23 February 2021, Heinz agreed to leave Gloucester for local rivals Worcester Warriors after six seasons on a two-year contract, option for a further season from the 2021–22 season.[4] He left with immediate effect to return to New Zealand in March 2022.[5]
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2023) |