Riki Flutey

British Lions & England international rugby union player

Riki John Flutey (born 10 February 1980) is a retired rugby union player who played internationally for (winning 14 caps) and the British & Irish Lions (1 cap). Born in Wairarapa, New Zealand, he represented New Zealand in the U19 age group before qualifying to play for England through residency. A centre or fly half, he played for , and the Hurricanes in New Zealand before moving to England in 2005. He then played for London Irish and London Wasps in England, Brive in France and Ricoh Black Rams in Japan.

Flutey qualified for England on residency grounds at the beginning of the 2008/09 season – he had announced on 14 May 2008 that he would be available for England selection as soon as he had completed his three year residential qualification in September. On 1 July 2008, Flutey was named in Martin Johnson's first England Elite Squad. Flutey made his England debut against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham on 8 November 2008. He scored his first international try against in the 2009 Six Nations. After two narrow losses against and , he was influential in England's 34–10 victory over , scoring two tries and setting up another. In the next game against , he scored again and was chosen as the man of the match. His four tries in the 2009 Six Nations was the joint highest.

He was selected for the British & Irish Lions for their 2009 tour to South Africa. On 30 May 2009 he became the first player to play both for and against the Lions in tour matches. He played in the third and final test of the tour.

On 3 December 2001 Flutey was charged with grievous bodily harm in Rosario, Argentina. Argentinian teenager Gabriel Capotosti suffered a broken nose and right eye socket that required corrective plastic surgery in an unprovoked assault by Flutey outside a mini mart. Consequently, Flutey spent four nights in a police cell, then under house arrest at the team's hotel while the Wellington union arranged his bail of US$35,000 (NZ$84,800), before returning to New Zealand on 10 December 2001. Gabriel Capotosti's family later filed a civil suit against Flutey. The case was finally settled in December 2008, with the charges completely dropped on condition that Flutey does not reoffend for a set period.