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 on 5 March 1980) is a retired professional rugby union player from South Africa. He was known as a "utility back" because he could play in many different positions, like fullback, fly-half, or wing. He played for Clermont in the French Top 14 league.
Before moving to France, Brent played for Saracens in England. He also spent many years playing for the Sharks in the Currie Cup and the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He often played for the Springboks, which is South Africa's national rugby team, before he moved to Europe. He played 23 games for his country and scored 40 points, including 8 tries. Brent Russell is often called by his nickname, Pocket Rocket.
Brent's sister, Shelley, was also a talented athlete who played international field hockey for South Africa.
Playing for South Africa
Brent Russell was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He went to school at Selborne College in East London. He quickly became good enough to play international rugby. He was chosen for the 2002 Springboks team after playing very well for the national sevens team.
In 2002, he scored a very memorable try during the Tri Nations tournament against the Australian Wallabies. He managed to slip out of a tackle that looked impossible to escape. Then, he dodged several Australian players on his way to score the try.
Even though he was a fantastic player, he didn't always get to play for the Springboks as much as he might have wanted in later years. Brent was a relatively small player for rugby. However, what he lacked in size and strength, he made up for with his amazing speed, quick acceleration, agility, and creativity. Many people thought he was one of the most exciting players in South Africa. This was because he had the special ability to score a try even when it seemed impossible.
Club Rugby Career
Brent Russell was so good at playing in many different positions that it sometimes made it hard for coaches to decide where to put him on the field. Even though he was a favourite with the fans and a very talented player, he didn't start many games for the Sharks during the 2005/06 season.
This led him to move to Western Province. There, he was promised a lot of playing time. He also got to play as a fly-half for the Stormers in the Super 14. This was different from the "utility" role he often had at the Sharks.
In 2007, Russell signed with Saracens F.C. in England to play for their team. Then, in 2008, Brent Russell signed with ASM Clermont Auvergne to play in the French Top 14 league.
