Ben Lucas (rugby union)

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Ben Lucas

| image = Ben Lucas MHR 2015.JPG

| caption =

| birth_name = Benjamin Lucas

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|12|30}}

| birth_place = Ipswich, Queensland, Australia

| height = 1.78 m

| weight = {{convert|81|kg|stlb lb|abbr=on}}

| ru_position = Scrum-half, Fly-half, Fullback,

Wing, Centre

| years1 = 2007

| years2 = 2014

| years3 = 2014–16

| years4 = 2016–17

| years5 = 2018–19

| years6 = 2019–2021

| years7 = 2022–

| ru_clubupdate = 6 December 2021

| clubs1 = East Coast Aces

| clubs2 = Queensland Country

| clubs3 = Montpellier

| clubs4 = Toyota Verblitz

| clubs5 = FC Grenoble

| clubs6 = Coca-Cola Red Sparks

| clubs7 = {{Rut|Skyactivs Hiroshima}}

| apps1 = 4

| apps2 = 0

| apps3 = 43

| apps4 = 7

| apps5 = 6

| apps6 = 7

| points1 = 12

| points2 = 0

| points3 = 163

| points4 = 12

| points5 = 5

| points6 = 61

| ru_currentclub = Sunnybank

| super1 = Reds

| super2 = Sunwolves

| superyears1 = 2008–14, 2018

| superyears2 = 2020

| superapps1 = 82

| superapps2 = 0

| superpoints1 = 76

| superpoints2 = 0

| super14currentclub =

| super14update = 21 February 2021

| province1 =

| provinceyears1 =

| provinceapps1 =

| provincepoints1 =

| ru_provinceupdate =

| repyears1 = 2006

| repteam1 = Australia U20

| repcaps1 = 2

| reppoints1 = 0

| ru_ntupdate = 21 February 2021

| spouse =

| children =

| relatives =

| school = St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace

| university = Griffith University

}}

Benjamin Lucas (born 30 December 1987) is an Australian rugby union player who used to play for Montpellier as a fly-half in the Top 14.

Career

Educated at Robertson State School, then St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace{{Cite web|last=Lutton|first=Phil|date=2008-04-09|title=Nine is fine for Lucas|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/nine-is-fine-for-lucas-20080410-ge9umi.html|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Brisbane Times|language=en}} Lucas is a former Australian schoolboy representative.

Lucas caught the eye of then Australian coach John Connolly when he claimed a personal tally of 35 points in the Brisbane club competition final where his club Sunnybank beat the Gold Coast by 85–19, Lucas creating nearly every play from Fly Half.

Lucas missed out on 2007 Rugby World Cup selection after inside back Berrick Barnes secured the last spot, but was invited to train with the Queensland Reds in preparation for the 2008 Super 14 season. Reds coach Phil Mooney switched Lucas to halfback after injury to halfback Sam Cordingley and Will Genia. Lucas was selected in the Australia A for the Pacific Nations Cup, then selected as starting flyhalf for the first game against Japan. He was expected to be selected in Australia's team for the Tri Nations, his versatility of being able to play quality rugby at both halfback and flyhalf to work in his favour as Australia lack quality depth in both positions off the bench. However, he was not included in the Wallabies squad.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qru.com.au/library/reds_players/lucas,_ben,67252.html/section/40810|title=| QLD Reds Rugby}}

In 2009 a rib injury sidelined Lucas, which allowed Genia to regain the Reds No 9 jersey. End of season injuries saw Lucas switch to fullback against the Crusaders, then Lucas switch back halfback at the end of the season after Genia was sidelined.{{Cite web|date=2012-04-29|title=Queensland Reds receive boost in wake of Will Genia news with utility Ben Lucas re-signing|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/queensland-reds-receive-boost-in-wake-of-will-genia-news-with-utility-ben-lucas-re-signing/news-story/c5aa745f4c33bb0a12f86a67fbdf79d1|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Fox Sports|language=en}}

While Lucas continued to show versatility in 2010, Genia's form, consistency and leadership kept him ahead of Lucas in the halfback role, and Genia also assumed the captaincy as well, after a season-ending injury to James Horwill in the first game of the year. Lucas' versatility however kept him in the squad, and he signed another two-year contract. Lucas continued at fullback, including a solid effort in the Reds victory over the Highlanders in the final round at Suncorp Stadium. However, Lucas left the field prematurely with a knee injury.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qru.com.au/library/tournaments/super_14/2010/14_reds_v_highlanders,69786.html/section/69700|title=| QLD Reds Rugby}} In the 2011 Super Rugby season Lucas become a regular fullback for the Reds, substituting for injured regular fullback Peter Hynes.{{Cite web|date=2011-03-02|title=Ben Lucas set to set replace Peter Hynes as Queensland Reds fullback for match with Brumbies|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/ben-lucas-set-to-set-replace-peter-hynes-as-queensland-reds-fullback-for-match-with-brumbies/news-story/1f8879cde85b69860c13e10e7dc9f6be|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Fox Sports|language=en}} However, in 2011 Wallabies selection continued to elude him, and despite recognition of his utility value he was overlooked for the Rugby World Cup.{{cite web | agency = Australian Associated Press| date = 10 May 2012 | title = Lucas looms as Wallabies bolter | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-10/lucas-looms-as-wallabies-bolter/4004168?section=sport | publisher = ABC | work = Sport | access-date = 11 May 2012}}

References

External links

{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606231558/http://www.rugby.com.au/players/wallabies/2007_squad/2007_rwc_squad/freier_adam%2C62572.html |title=Ben Lucas 2012 Wallabies profile }}
[http://www.redsrugby.com.au/reds/reds.rugby/page/64948/section/40810 Queensland Reds profile]
{{ItsRugby profile|5020}}
{{World Rugby Sevens Series profile|mens/29276}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Australian rugby union players

Category:Queensland Reds players

Category:Rugby union scrum-halves

Category:Rugby union fly-halves

Category:Rugby union fullbacks

Category:Rugby union players from Queensland

Category:Living people

Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in France

Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in Japan

Category:Montpellier Hérault Rugby players

Category:Toyota Verblitz players