Ben Franks
A granite-tough prop who anchored the All Blacks' scrum through a golden era, collecting two World Cup wins in a storied career.
Born 1984 (age 42)·New Zealand rugby union footballer·Birthday: March 27·Millennials
Biography
Born in Australia but forged in the crucible of New Zealand rugby, Ben Franks carved out a reputation as the ultimate professional forward. His game was not about flashy runs but about set-piece dominance, relentless defense, and doing the hard yards that allow stars to shine. After making his provincial debut for Tasman, his power and technical prowess at tighthead prop earned him a Hurricanes Super Rugby contract and, in 2010, the coveted All Black jersey. Franks became a cornerstone of a dominant pack under coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen. His value lay in his versatility—able to play on both sides of the scrum—and his unflappable mentality. He was a key squad member during the 2011 Rugby World Cup victory on home soil and, after a move to play for the Crusaders and then in England, returned to the national setup to earn a second winner's medal in 2015. His career, spanning over 100 Super Rugby games and 47 tests, epitomized the selfless, team-first ethos that defined the All Blacks' success.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ben was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ben Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ben's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Rugby World Cup twice with the New Zealand All Blacks, in 2011 and 2015.
- Earned 47 test caps for New Zealand between 2010 and 2015.
- Played over 100 Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes and Crusaders.
- Won the English Premiership with the London Irish club in 2016.
Did You Know?
He and his older brother, Owen Franks, were All Blacks teammates and often played together in the front row.
He was born in Melbourne, Australia, but moved to New Zealand as a child.
After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, serving as a scrum coach for the Melbourne Rebels.
He scored only one try in his 47-test international career.
“My job is to secure the ball and create a platform for the team to play from.”
