Jarrad Butler
{{short description|Australian rugby union player|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Jarrad Butler
| image = Jarrad Butler 2014 Vikings (1) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
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| caption =
| birth_name =
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|7|20|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand
| death_date =
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| height = {{height|m=1.86}}
| weight = {{Convert|104|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
| school = The Southport School
| university = Queensland UT
| relatives =
| spouse =
| children =
| occupation =
| weight_update = 9 May 2019
| ru_currentposition = Back row
| ru_currentteam = Connacht
| youthyears1 =
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| amatyears1 =
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| years1 = 2014–2016
| clubs1 = Canberra Vikings
| apps1 = 23
| points1 = 81
| years2 = 2017–2024
| clubs2 = Connacht
| apps2 = 129
| points2 = 45
| totalyears =
| totalapps =
| totalpoints =
| ru_clubupdate = 18 May 2024
| superyears1 = 2012–2013
| super1 = {{Rut|Reds}}
| superapps1 = 12
| superpoints1 = 0
| superyears2 = 2014–2017
| super2 = {{Rut|Brumbies}}
| superapps2 = 60
| superpoints2 = 25
| superupdate = 16 July 2017
| repyears1 = 2008
| repteam1 = Australia schools
| repcaps1 = 3
| reppoints1 = 0
| repyears2 = 2010
| repteam2 = Australia U20
| repcaps2 = 4
| reppoints2 = 10
| repyears3 = 2015
| repteam3 = Barbarians
| repcaps3 = 1
| reppoints3 = 0
| ru_ntupdate =
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Jarrad Butler (born 20 July 1991) is an Australian professional rugby union player. He primarily plays as a flanker but also plays at number 8. Butler currently plays for Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14. Before joining Connacht, Butler played in Super Rugby, first for the {{Rut|Reds}} and then for the {{Rut|Brumbies}}. While playing for the Brumbies, Butler also played for National Rugby Championship the Canberra Vikings, where he served as captain.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand Butler moved to Australia at 13, and has represented the country at under-age level. He played for the Australia schoolboys team in 2008 and the under-20 side in 2010. Butler has also played for international invitational side, the Barbarians.
Early life
Butler was born in Wellington, New Zealand and moved with his family to the Gold Coast in Australia as a 13-year-old. He attended The Southport School on a rugby scholarship.{{cite web |url=https://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-butler-from-brumbies/ |work=Connacht Rugby |title=Connacht sign Butler from Brumbies |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=10 May 2019}} After finishing in school, Butler was part of the national academy of the Australian Rugby Union and also studied part time at Queensland University of Technology.{{cite web|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8480258/Kiwi-born-Red-Butler-eyes-up-Wallaby-jersey|title= Kiwi-born Red Butler eyes up Wallaby jersey|work= stuff.co.nz|date= 1 June 2011}}
Club career
=Reds=
During the 2012 Super Rugby season, Butler joined the {{Rut|Reds}} on a short-term contract from the Australian Rugby Union academy to cover an injury crisis. He made his debut as a replacement against the {{Rut|Highlanders}} on 6 July 2012 at Suncorp Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.superxv.com/reds-stay-in-the-hunt-after-highlanders-armwrestle/ |work=Super XV |title=Reds stay in the hunt after Highlanders armwrestle |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=10 May 2019}} He played again in the last game of the regular season against {{Rut|Waratahs}}. Butler's performances in 2012 prompted head coach Ewen McKenzie to name him in the franchise's Extended Playing Squad for 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36885 |title=Reds finalise 2013 Super Rugby EPS |date=30 October 2012 |work=Super XV |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193204/http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36885 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} Butler was capped a further 10 times throughout the 2013 Super Rugby season, with all but one of these appearances coming from the bench.
=Brumbies=
Butler joined Canberra-based side, the {{Rut|Brumbies}} ahead of the 2014 Super Rugby season.{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/brumbies-rope-in-butler-to-beef-up-flanker-stocks-20130727-2qrv2.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |title=Brumbies rope in Butler to beef up flanker stocks |date=28 July 2013 |access-date=10 May 2019}} The move saw him earn far greater game time, starting in all 18 of the side's matches that season, including both knockout games as the Brumbies reached the semi-final stage. Butler scored his first try for the side in the quarter-final win over the {{Rut|Chiefs}}.{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/201483.html |work=ESPN Scrum |title=Brumbies v Chiefs at Canberra |date=19 July 2014 |access-date=10 May 2019}} The following season again saw Butler feature in all games as the Brumbies reached the semi-final stage, although half of his appearances came as a replacement following the return from injury of the team's vice-captain David Pocock.{{cite web |url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/white-and-pocock-named-brumby-vice-captains/ |work=Super Rugby |title=White and Pocock named Brumby vice-captains |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=10 May 2019}}
In the 2016 season, he featured in 13 of 16 games for the side, starting on all but two occasions. Butler formed a back row partnership with {{nrut|Australia}}n internationals Pocock and Scott Fardy over the course of the season, starting at number 8 alongside the pair in the quarter-final defeat to {{Rut|Highlanders}}.{{cite web |url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/qf1-brumbies-9-highlanders-15/ |work=Super Rugby |title=QF1: Brumbies 9 Highlanders 15 |date=22 July 2016 |access-date=10 May 2019}} Butler had a slow start to the 2017 season, with a hamstring injury keeping him out of the opening rounds.{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/jarrad-butler-says-act-brumbies-super-rugby-breakthrough-is-just-around-the-corner-20170305-guqyks.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |title=Jarrad Butler says ACT Brumbies Super Rugby breakthrough is just around the corner |date=5 March 2017 |access-date=10 May 2019}} He went on to play in a total of 11 games for the season, starting in just four of them. It was announced in July 2017 that Butler would leave Brumbies at the end of the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.planetrugby.com/news/butler-signs-for-connacht/|title=Butler signs for Connacht|date=11 July 2017|work=planetrugby.com|access-date=11 July 2017}} He played his final game for the Brumbies on 21 July 2017 in a quarter-final defeat to the {{Rut|Hurricanes}}.{{cite web | url=http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/hurricanes-book-semi-final-spot | title=Hurricanes book semi-final spot | work=SANZAAR | date=21 July 2017 | access-date=16 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816081047/http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/hurricanes-book-semi-final-spot | archive-date=16 August 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all}} During his time with the Brumbies, he made a total of 60 appearances, scoring five tries.
==Canberra Vikings==
During his time with the Brumbies, Butler also played for club side the Canberra Vikings. With the Vikings, he competed in the National Rugby Championship, a club competition established in 2014. Butler played in seven of the team's eight games in the inaugural season, and scored six tries. In the 2015 season he was named captain,{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/butler-named-the-uc-vikings-captain-for-2016/468402 |work=Ultimate Rugby |title=Butler named the UC Vikings captain for 2016 |date=23 August 2016 |access-date=10 May 2019}} and started all 10 of the side's games as they finished runners up to Brisbane City.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/report?gameId=268341&league=270561 |work=ESPN |title=Brisbane City claimed back-to-back NRC titles |date=31 October 2015 |access-date=10 May 2019}} Butler retained the captaincy for the 2016 season, where he featured in six games. His departure for Connacht at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season meant he did not play for the Vikings in the 2017 NRC. He made a total of 23 appearances in his three seasons with the side.
=Connacht=
In July 2017, it was announced that Butler had signed a three-year contract with Irish Pro14 side Connacht. He joined the province ahead of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/40129.php#.WWTZTIjyvIU|title=Connacht Sign Jarrad Butler On Three-Year Deal|date=11 July 2017|work=irishrugby.ie|access-date=11 July 2017}} He was a regular fixture in the first team for the year, starting in 17 of the side's 26 games and featuring from the bench in a further two.{{cite web |url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/player/?PlayGuid=JB340287 |work=Pro14 |title=Player Profile: Jarrad Butler}}{{cite web |url=https://www.epcrugby.com/player/?PlayGuid=JB340287 |work=European Professional Club Rugby |title=Player: Jarrad Butler}} At the end of his first season, Butler was named Connacht's Players' Player of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://www.connachtrugby.ie/201718-connacht-rugby-award-winners/ |work=Connacht Rugby |title=2017/18 Connacht Rugby Award Winners |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2019}} Following the retirement of long-serving captain John Muldoon in 2018, Butler was named as the province's new captain for the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.the42.ie/jarrad-butler-connacht-captain-4183448-Aug2018/ |work=The42 |title=Back row Jarrad Butler succeeds Muldoon as Connacht captain |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=10 May 2019}} He continued to be a regular fixture in the team, starting 19 of the team's 21 regular season games in the 2018–19 Pro14 as they finished third in their conference. He also started in the play-off quarter-final defeat to Ulster at the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2019/0504/1047547-ulster-21-13-connacht/ |work=RTÉ Sport |title=Ulster grind out derby win over Connacht |date=4 May 2019 |access-date=10 May 2019}}
International career
Born in New Zealand, Butler has represented Australia at under-age level after moving there as a teenager. As a student in The Southport School, he made the Australian schoolboys team in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2008/07/14/australian-schoolboys-team-to-play-fiji/ |work=Fiji Sun |title=Australian Schoolboys team to play Fiji |date=14 July 2008 |access-date=10 May 2019}} In 2010, Butler played four games for the Australian under-20 side.{{cite web |url=http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/jarrad-butler-makes-switch-from-brumbies-to-connacht/18486.htm |work=Talking Rugby Union |title=Jarrad Butler makes switch from Brumbies to Connacht |date=11 July 2017 |access-date=10 May 2019}}
Butler has also played for international invitational side, the Barbarians. He was called up for the team's game against {{nrut|Argentina}} on 21 November 2015. Butler featured as a replacement in a 49–31 defeat.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/argentina-vs-barbarians/teams/75039 |work=Sky Sports |title=Starting Lineups - Argentina vs Barbarians |date=21 November 2015 |access-date=10 May 2019}}
Playing statistics
=Super Rugby statistics=
{{updated|16 July 2017}}{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-23716.html | title=Player Statistics | work=its rugby | access-date=10 May 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:90%; font-size:95%; width:60%;" | ||||||||||||
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Sub | Mins | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drops | Points | Yel | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | {{Rut|Reds}} | 2 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | {{Rut|Reds}} | 10 | 1 | 9 | 183 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | {{Rut|Brumbies}} | 18 | 18 | 0 | 1310 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | {{Rut|Brumbies}} | 18 | 9 | 9 | 782 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | {{Rut|Brumbies}} | 13 | 11 | 2 | 874 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | {{Rut|Brumbies}} | 11 | 4 | 7 | 501 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total || 72 || 43 || 29 || 3682 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 25 || 2 || 0 |
=Connacht statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:90%; font-size:95%; width:60%;" | ||||||||||||
| Season | Competition | Games | Starts | Sub | Mins | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drops | Points | Yel | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2017–18 | Pro14 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 1172 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Challenge Cup | 3 | 2 | 1 | 232 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"| 2018–19 | Pro14 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 1535 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Challenge Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 | 160 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"| 2019–20 | Pro14 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 822 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Champions Cup | 5 | 5 | 0 | 400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"| 2020–21 | Pro14 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 928 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Pro14 Rainbow Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Champions Cup | 2 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"| 2021–22 | URC | 16 | 13 | 3 | 1034 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Champions Cup | 6 | 6 | 0 | 406 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"| 2022–23 | URC | 12 | 8 | 4 | 686 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Challenge Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 222 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total || 111 || 100 || 11 || 7831|| 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 40 || 3 || 1 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.connachtrugby.ie/players/jarrad-butler/ Jarrad Butler Connacht Profile]
- [http://www.rugby.com.au//ExtendedPlayingSquad/ExtendedPlayingSquadProfiles/tabid/829/playerid/6/Default.aspx Jarrad Butler Player Profile]
- [http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_23716.html itsrugby.co.uk profile]
{{Connacht Rugby squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, Jarrad}}
Category:Australian rugby union players
Category:Queensland Reds players
Category:Canberra Vikings players
Category:Rugby union number eights
Category:Rugby union players from Wellington City
Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia
Category:People educated at the Southport School
Category:Barbarian F.C. players
Category:Connacht Rugby players
Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in Ireland