1. Overview
Martin Banks (born 19 September 1989) is a New Zealand rugby union player renowned for his versatility, primarily playing as a First five-eighth and occasionally as a Fullback. His extensive professional career has seen him play for various clubs across New Zealand, Russia, Italy, and Japan, demonstrating a global approach to his sport. Throughout his career, Banks has been noted for his prolific scoring ability and strategic kicking game, contributing significantly to his teams in both provincial and international competitions.
2. Personal Information and Early Life
Martin Banks' foundational years and physical profile established the basis for his successful rugby career.
2.1. Birth and Profile
Martin Banks was born on 19 September 1989 in Reefton, New Zealand. He stands at 75 in (191 cm) tall and weighs 207 lb (94 kg). His primary playing positions are First five-eighth (also known as Stand-off) and Fullback.
2.2. School Days and Early Rugby Career
Banks attended Christchurch Boys' High School in New Zealand, where he honed his early rugby skills. He later played for the Takapuna Rugby Club in Auckland. His initial provincial appearances began with the Buller team, marking the start of his professional journey.
3. Rugby Career
Martin Banks' rugby career spans several teams and leagues, showcasing his adaptability and consistent performance across different environments.
3.1. Provincial League and Super Rugby Debut
After his time with Takapuna, Banks received an opportunity from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union that led him to play for Krasny Yar Krasnoyarsk in Russia. Following a season there, he declined a two-year contract offer to return to New Zealand. His return saw him begin his career with the Buller provincial team, making his debut in the 2012 Heartland Championship. During this season, Banks set a provincial record by scoring 131 points, including a crucial 16 points in Buller's 31-28 victory over South Canterbury in the Lochore Cup final.
In 2013, Banks joined the Crusaders development team and was later included in the extended training squad for Tasman. He subsequently earned a call-up to the Tasman squad, making his debut against Counties Manukau. While playing for Tasman, he continued to demonstrate his scoring prowess, notably scoring all 28 points in Tasman's 28-13 win over Northland and another 24 points in a 64-28 win against Waikato. In October of the same year, his strong provincial performances led to him securing a Super Rugby deal with the Hurricanes.
3.2. Career Progression and International Play
Banks' journey continued through major domestic and international rugby. After his initial stint with the Hurricanes, he signed a deal with the Highlanders for the 2015 and 2016 Super Rugby seasons. In May 2016, he transitioned to European rugby, signing a one-year deal with the Italian club Benetton Rugby. His international experience further expanded in 2018 when he joined the Japanese team NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. He made his official debut in Japan on 9 September 2018, starting in the first round of the Japan Rugby Top Challenge League's first stage against Kurita Watergush. He later returned to the Highlanders for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
3.3. Notable Achievements and Records
Throughout his career, Martin Banks has established several significant scoring records. For the Buller provincial team, he achieved a record 131 points in a single season. During his time with Tasman, he uniquely scored all 28 points in their 28-13 victory over Northland. He also contributed 24 points in Tasman's 64-28 win against Waikato, highlighting his consistent ability to rack up points for his team.
3.4. Recent Career and Return
Following his time in Japan, Banks returned to New Zealand in July 2021, signing with Southland for the 2021 Bunnings NPC season. His strong form led to his re-signing with the Highlanders for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, marking a significant return to Super Rugby.
4. Playing Style
Martin Banks is recognized for his distinctive playing style, which is characterized by both his exceptional kicking ability and his positional versatility. As a First five-eighth, he is known for his strategic game management and accurate kicks, a skill that Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett specifically noted as "incredible" and "hard to ignore" during Banks' time with the team. His ability to consistently land kicks from various positions on the field has been a key factor in his teams' scoring success. Furthermore, Banks' capacity to effectively play both First five-eighth and Fullback underscores his versatility in the backline, allowing him to contribute in multiple roles as needed by his team.