James Lentjes

James Anthony Richard Lentjes (born 16 January 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently for Otago the Bunnings NPC. His position is Flanker.[1][2][3]

James Lentjes
Full nameJames Anthony Richard Lentjes
Date of birth (1991-01-16) 16 January 1991
Place of birthChristchurch, New Zealand
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight104 kg (16 st 5 lb; 229 lb)
SchoolSt. Bede's College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Otago
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014– Otago 62 (80)
2015−2023 Highlanders 69 (35)
Correct as of 18 July 2023

Early career

Born and raised in the city of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand, Lentjes was educated at St Bede's College in his hometown where he won a Crusaders secondary schools title in 2008. After finishing school, he made his way through the Canterbury system, becoming a member of their wider training group in 2013 as well as playing for the Crusaders development team. He played club rugby in Canterbury with the university club, however due to a lack of opportunities to make the star studded Canterbury ITM Cup side, he headed south to Dunedin and began playing club rugby for Taieri. He holds a university degree in geology and geography and worked as a lab technician for Fulton Hogan prior to his rugby career.[2][4]

Senior career

His move to Dunedin quickly paid off and after one season in club rugby, he made the Otago squad for the 2014 ITM Cup and went on to play eight games in his debut season, scoring one try. Injuries restricted him to just 6 appearances in 2015, but in that time he managed to score 5 tries which helped his side reach the Championship semi finals before they were well beaten by Wellington. He was back to full fitness in 2016, featuring in 10 out of 12 matches for Otago during a season which saw them finish top of the championship standings - reaching the final before being defeated at home by North Harbour.[1] In Round 8 of the 2021 Bunnings NPC Lentjes played his 50th game for Otago against Canterbury at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Otago winning in a thriller 22–20.

Super Rugby

Following a string of injuries, Lentjes was called into the Highlanders squad midway through the 2015 Super Rugby season, making his debut in a 39–21 victory over the Stormers on March 28. He remained with the squad for the rest of the season and played in both the semi-final win over the Waratahs and the 21–14 victory over the Hurricanes in the final as the Highlanders won their first Super Rugby title.

He was named in the Highlanders squad for the 2016 Super Rugby season, however the form of fellow loose forwards Shane Christie, Gareth Evans and Dan Pryor meant he only made 4 appearances during the season as the Highlanders went down to the Lions in Johannesburg in the semi-finals.[5] He was a consistent performer for the side during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons and was rewarded in 2020 - being named as the Highlanders captain, however his season was cut short in only his fourth game as he suffered a horrific ankle injury ruling him out for the rest of the year.[6]

References
  1. "James Lentjes itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  2. "James Lentjes Highlanders Player Profile". Highlanders Rugby. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  3. "Highlanders 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  4. "James Lentjes set to battle old Canterbury pals". Rugby Heaven. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  5. "Rare start for patient Highlanders flanker James Lentjes against Jaguares". Rugby Heaven. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  6. "Super Rugby: Highlanders skipper James Lentjes requires surgery, done for season". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
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