{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2014}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Tyson Keats | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Tyson Paul Keats | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|06|06|df=y}} | birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand | height = {{convert|173|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|83|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}} | school = Shirley Boys' High School | university = | relatives = | occupation = | spouse = | position = Half-back | currentclub = | allblackno = | allblackid = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2003 | clubs1 = Nelson Bays | apps1 = 10 | points1 = 30 | years2 = 2006–2009 | clubs2 = Canterbury | apps2 = 31 | points2 = 25 | years3 = 2009 | clubs3 = Crusaders | apps3 = 3 | points3 = 0 | years4 = 2010–2011 | clubs4 = Hurricanes | apps4 = 21 | points4 = 20 | years5 = 2010–2011 | clubs5 = Taranaki | apps5 = 21 | points5 = 15 | years6 = 2011–2012 | clubs6 = Aironi | apps6 = 20 | points6 = 0 | years7 = 2012–2014 | clubs7 = London Welsh | apps7 = 20 | points7 = 5 | repyears1 = | repteam1 = | repcaps1 = | reppoints1 = | clubupdate = 23 May 2020 | repupdate = }}
'''Tyson Keats''' (born 6 June 1981) is a New Zealand rugby union player who last played for London Welsh in the English Premiership. His position of choice is halfback.
Keats is currently playing club rugby for the New Brighton club in Christchurch, New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/crusaders/79745690/new-brighton-hitting-their-straps-but-university-remain-on-top|title=New Brighton feature Tyson Keats|last=|first=|date=|website=Stuff|publisher=|access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>
He previously played for Italian club Aironi, Nelson Bays, Taranaki and Canterbury in the ITM Cup. Keats also played in the Super Rugby competition representing the Hurricanes and the Crusaders respectively.
== Controversy == In 2013 Keats was part of a frustrating problem involving his passport which resulted in London Welsh being relegated. Keats described it as "the toughest time of his career".
In March 2013 the club were found guilty of playing Keats for 10 games illegally while he held a fake English passport. Thus, five league points were removed which killed their chances of survival in the Premiership. The club was also fined over $30,000 NZD.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/26472552|title=Tyson Keats: London Welsh re-sign registration row scrum-half|website=BBC Sport|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>
Former manager Mike Scott was found fully responsible and was banned from any participation in rugby for life.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/mar/08/mike-scott-rfu-life-ban|title=Mike Scott gets RFU life ban over faked copy of Tyson Keats' passport|last=Rees|first=Paul|date=2013-03-08|work=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref>
Upon signing for the club from Aironi, Keats' agent asked Scott if Keats should return to New Zealand to sort out his visa but Scott assured it would be taken care of in England. Keats found out he was Ineligible to play on the season opening match. The next week Keats was then told he was "fine" and it was all sorted. Further investigation by the new manager discovered that Scott had incorrectly stated Keats was from Christchurch, Dorset as opposed to Christchurch in New Zealand. This was all amongst a rush to field Keats as soon as possible.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/17974/tyson-keats-exclusive-i-felt-like-a-black-sheep-but-it-wasnt-my-fault/|title=Tyson Keats EXCLUSIVE – I felt like a black sheep but it wasn't my fault {{!}} The Rugby Paper|website=www.therugbypaper.co.uk|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>
== Personal == While playing for Canterbury Keats owned an exterior plastering and painting business but when he made the move to the Hurricanes he was forced to sell it.<ref name=":1" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.crusaders.co.nz/profile/tyson-keats/228/player-details.aspx Crusaders Profile] *[http://www.hurricanes.co.nz/team/players/tyson-keats Hurricanes Profile] *[http://www.aironirugby.eu/it/sq-s-1-210-keats_tyson.aspx Aironi Profile] *[http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealandclub_old/rugby/player/83890.html ESPN Profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keats, Tyson}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand rugby union players Category:Taranaki rugby union players Category:Canterbury rugby union players Category:Hurricanes (rugby union) players Category:Crusaders (rugby union) players Category:Aironi players Category:London Welsh RFC players Category:Rugby union scrum-halves Category:Rugby union players from Christchurch Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in Italy Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in England Category:Nelson Bays rugby union players Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in Wales