Jackson Willison

Jackson Willison
Birth nameJackson Dan Kingi Willison
Date of birth (1988-09-05) 5 September 1988 (age 36)
Place of birthHamilton, New Zealand
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
SchoolOtorohanga College
Hamilton Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)Tenika Willison (cousin) Xavier Willison (cousin) Te Maire Martin (cousin) Taine Tuaupiki (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Inside Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2016 Grenoble 33 (10)
2016–2018 Worcester Warriors 45 (25)
2018–2020 Bath 24 (5)
2020 Soyaux Angoulême 4 (0)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–14 Waikato 60 (65)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–12 Chiefs 39 (30)
2013–14 Blues 21 (15)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008 New Zealand under-20 5 (10)
2010– Māori All Blacks 7 (5)

Jackson Dan Kingi Willison (born (1988-09-05)5 September 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union player. His regular playing position is as a centre.

Willison played for the Chiefs in Super Rugby from 2009 to 2012, and was part of the title winning Chiefs in 2012. He has also played for the Blues in Super Rugby and Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup.

In 2012, he was selected for the Māori All Blacks end of year tour.[1]

For 2013, Willison was initially included in the Chiefs, before being delisted[2] by coach Dave Rennie while he sought to contract Counties-Manukau midfielder Bundee Aki.[citation needed] Blues coach John Kirwan acted quickly to sign Willison and move him to Auckland.[3]

At the start of 2014, it was announced that he would leave the Blues after the 2014 Super Rugby season to join French Top 14 side Grenoble on a two-year contract.[4][5] On 8 January 2016, Willison joined Aviva Premiership team Worcester Warriors for the 2015–16 season.[6] On 15 January 2018, Willison signs for local rivals Bath ahead of the 2018–19 season.[7]

At conclusion of his contract with Bath he moved to French Pro D2 club Soyaux Angoulême.

References

  1. ^ "Super Rugby Profile: Blues – Jackson Willison". Blues. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  2. ^ Long, David (29 September 2012). "Kirwan quick to take Baden Kerr from Steelers". Rugby Heaven. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  3. ^ Long, David (28 October 2012). "Friction over Super Rugby backdoor deals". Rugby Heaven. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Grenoble snap up Willison". Planet Rugby. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Jackson Willison rejoint le FCG" (Press release) (in French). FC Grenoble Rugby. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Worcester Warriors sign Grenoble centre Jackson Willison". BBC Sport. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Jackson Willison: Bath sign Worcester Warriors centre from next season". BBC Sport. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.