Frank Pritchard

Frank Semu Pritchard (born 3 November 1983), also known by the nicknames "Cranky" and "Frank the Tank", is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand and Samoa at international level.

Of Samoan and Pākehā (Anglo-Saxon) New Zealander descent, Pritchard was born in Sydney on 3 November 1983.

He played his junior rugby league for the St Clair Comets and Campbelltown City Kangaroos, and attended Eagle Vale High School before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.

Pritchard's younger brother, Kaysa Pritchard, would also go on to play in the NRL.

A, he played in the National Rugby League for Sydney clubs the Penrith Panthers, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels during the 2000s and 2010s.

Pritchard also played in the Super League for English club Hull FC.

In Round 8 of the 2003 NRL season, Pritchard made his NRL début for Penrith Panthers against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles off the interchange bench in the Panthers 30–29 win at Penrith Stadium.

Pritchard was named 18th man for the Panthers 2003 NRL Grand Final squad playing the Sydney Roosters.

Pritchard finished his début year in the NRL with 7 games for the Panthers.

In Round 15 in the 2004 NRL season against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Pritchard scored his first career try in the Panthers 32–12 win at Remondis Stadium.

Pritchard finished the 2004 Penrith Panthers season having played in 12 matches, scoring 2 tries.

Pritchard played the first 5 games of the 2005 season off the interchange bench before an opportunity came along for him to start when regular starting second rower Tony Puletua was sidelined with a season-ending pectoral muscle injury.

Pritchard played in the 2005 ANZAC Test, making his international test début for New Zealand against Australia at in the Kiwis 16–32 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

Pritchard finished the 2005 NRL season with 22 matches and one try for the Panthers.

He was selected to represent New Zealand in the end of year Tri-Nations series, playing in 3 matches.

Pritchard was selected for New Zealand in the 2006 ANZAC Test, coming off the interchange bench in the Kiwis' 12–50 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

Pritchard finished the 2006 NRL season 20 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Panthers.

Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2006 Tri-Nations series, playing in 4 matches, including scoring a try in the Kiwis 12-16 golden point final loss against Australia at the SFS.

On 17 February 2007, just before the NRL season, Pritchard and his Brother Tom were involved in a violent confrontation in the Liverpool area.

His brother reportedly received four knife wounds, including one to the pulmonary artery.

Pritchard was stabbed in the hand, which led to him having an operation the next day.

Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the 2007 ANZAC Test, coming off the interchange bench in the Kiwis 6–30 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

In Round 23 against the Newcastle Knights, Pritchard scored a hat trick of tries in the Panthers 46–12 win at Hunter Stadium.

Pritchard finished the Panthers 2007 NRL season with 23 matches and scoring 14 tries.

Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2007 All Golds Tour series, playing in 3 matches.

Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the century Trans-Tasman test match at the SCG, playing off the interchange bench in the Kiwis 12–28 loss.

Pritchard finished the 2008 NRL season with 20 matches and scoring 6 tries for the Panthers.

Pritchard was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup but didn't play a match in the tournament due to shoulder problems.

Pritchard finished the 2009 NRL season with 20 matches and scoring 6 tries for the Panthers.

Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2009 Four Nations series, playing in 3 matches.

On 25 August 2010, Pritchard agreed to three-year deal to sign with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 2011 onwards.

In Round 26 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Pritchard scored a hat trick in Penrith's 50–12 win at Penrith Stadium.

Pritchard played in 20 matches and scored 5 tries in his final season with the Penrith Panthers.

Pritchard was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2010 Four Nations series, playing in three matches.

In Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season, Pritchard made his club début for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against the Wests Tigers off the interchange bench, scoring a try in Canterbury's 24–14 win at ANZ Stadium.

Pritchard finished his first year with the club playing in all of Canterbury's 24 matches and scoring four tries.

On 6 February 2012, Pritchard was chosen to play for the NRL All Stars off the interchange bench in the 28–12 win over the Indigenous All Stars at Robina Stadium.

Pritchard was selected to for New Zealand in the 2012 ANZAC Test at in the Kiwis 12–20 loss at Eden Park.

On 30 September 2012, In Canterbury's 2012 NRL Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm, Pritchard started at in the club's 4–14 loss.

Pritchard finished the 2012 NRL season with 26 matches and scoring four tries for the Canterbury club.