Episode Six - Ben Franks
Ben Franks is one of the toughest and most respected front-row players in world rugby, and one of the very few who can claim to be a two-time World Cup winner with the New Zealand All Blacks.
Ben and his brother, Owen, formed one of the most powerful front rows in international rugby and became symbols of toughness and consistency in the All Blacks forward pack. Ben attended Christchurch Boys’ High School, a famous rugby nursery. Ben’s rise was steady and built on hard work; he was admired for his strength, discipline, and relentless attitude to improve.
His professional career began with the Canterbury Crusaders. The Crusaders years shaped him into an elite tighthead prop, one of rugby’s most demanding positions. For context, Tighthead props absorb enormous physical punishment while anchoring the scrum and protecting the team’s possession.
Ben earned his first major All Blacks recognition in the late 2000s. His combination of scrummaging power, work ethic, and experience made him invaluable in high-pressure matches. The peak of his career came during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Playing on home soil, Ben helped the All Blacks end a 24-year World Cup drought.
Four years later, Ben achieved something even rarer. He was part of the squad that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, defeating Australia in the final. Winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups placed this All Blacks generation among the greatest teams in rugby history.
After retiring in 2020, Ben became a professional coach, now based in Japan with the Mitsubishi Dynaboars in the Japanese Division 1 league.
An accomplished public speaker, leader and expert on the importance of structure and preparation in building great individuals and elite teams. Proving his strength is backed by a keen and well-rounded intellect.