Player Info
- Name
- Richard Villasanti
- Nickname
- Lochness
- Date of Birth
- 20/05/80
- Place of Birth
- Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Height
- 187cm
- Weight
- 111 kg
- Nationality
- New Zealand, Australia, Tonga
- Current Status
- Licensed Plumber in Canberra.
- Warriors #
- 87
- Forum Nickname(s)
- Villa the Gorilla
- Warriors Debut (Date and Match Details)
- 18th February 2001 vs Canberra Raiders
- Junior Club
- Canberra
- Signed From
- Wests Tigers
- Position
- Prop
- Wikipedia Page
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Villasanti
A Junior Kiwi, Villasanti was included in the wider Tonga squad for the 2000 World Cup but did not play in the tournament. Canberra junior found form as an interchange forward with the Warriors after two moderate seasons with the Tigers. Villasanti was used from the interchange bench in the Warriors’ historic grand final appearance against the Roosters in 2002 but gained a reputation as one of the game’s best impact players – especially with his massive hits – the following year. At the end of 2003 he made history by becoming the first NZ club player to represent Australia on the end of season Kangaroo Tour. Villasanti made his Test debut in the loss to the Kiwis in October but appeared in only two minor tour matches in England. Back in the NRL in the Warriors’ disastrous 2004 season he did not play a part in any representative fixtures during the next two years. In 2006 Villasanti was released early in the season and joined Cronulla.
- 1999 Balmain Tigers
- 2000 Wests Tigers
- 2001–06 NZ Warriors
- 2003 Australia Kangaroos
- 2006 Cronulla-Sutherland
