Brent Russell facts for kids
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| Full name | Robert Brent Russell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 5 March 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 83 kg (183 lb; 13 st 1 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Selborne College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Shelley Jones (sister) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Robert Brent Russell (born 5 March 1980) is a famous South African rugby player who has now retired. He was known as a "utility back," which means he could play in many different positions. These included fullback, fly-half, or wing. People often called him the Pocket Rocket because he was so fast and exciting to watch.
Brent played for several top teams, including the Sharks in South Africa. He also played for Saracens in England and Clermont in France. He was a regular player for the Springboks, which is South Africa's national rugby team. He played 23 games for his country and scored 40 points. His sister, Shelley, also played for South Africa in field hockey.
Playing for South Africa
Brent Russell was born in Port Elizabeth, but he went to school at Selborne College in East London. He quickly became a top rugby player. He was chosen for the Springboks team in 2002. This happened after he played very well for the national sevens team.
In 2002, he scored a truly amazing try against the Australian Wallabies. He managed to get out of a tackle that looked certain to stop him. Then he dodged several Wallabies players on his way to the try line. Brent was a smaller player compared to many others. But he made up for his size with incredible speed, quickness, and clever moves. He was known as one of the most dangerous players in South Africa. He could often score a try when it seemed impossible.
Playing for Clubs
Brent Russell was so good at playing in many positions that coaches sometimes found it hard to pick his best spot. Even though fans loved him and he had amazing talent, he did not always start games for the Sharks team. This led him to move to Western Province in 2007. There, he hoped to play more often. He also got the chance to play as a fly-half for the Stormers in the Super 14 competition.
Later in 2007, Brent signed with Saracens in England. In 2008, he moved to France to play for ASM Clermont Auvergne in their top league, the Top 14. He finished his career playing for Lille from 2012 to 2013.
