James Bell (rugby league)

Last updated

James Bell
James Bell Warriors.jpg
Personal information
Full nameJames Temuera Te Manawanui Bell
Born (1994-05-02) 2 May 1994 (age 30)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 4 lb (97 kg)
Playing information
Position Loose forward, Second-row, Hooker
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2017–18 New Zealand Warriors 20000
2019–20 Toulouse Olympique 2690036
2021 Leigh Centurions 201004
2022– St Helens 6790036
2022(loan)Leigh Centurions 20000
Total117190076
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2017– Scotland 91004
Source: [1] [2]
As of 30 October 2022

James Temuera Te Manawanui Bell (born 2 May 1994) is a Scotland international rugby league footballer who plays as a loose forward and second-rower for St Helens in the Betfred Super League.

Contents

He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, the Leigh Centurions in the Super League, and Leigh and Toulouse Olympique in the Betfred Championship.

Background

Bell was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Scottish [3] and Māori descent.

He played his junior rugby league for the Papakura Sea Eagles, before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors.

Playing career

Early career

In 2014, Bell played for the New Zealand Warriors' NYC team. [4] In October 2014, he played in the Warriors' 2014 NYC Grand Final win over the Brisbane Broncos. [5] In 2015, he graduated to the Warriors' New South Wales Cup team and in 2016 he was named the side's man of the year. [6] [7] Also in 2016, he captained the New Zealand Māori rugby league team. [8]

2017

Bell played in the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines.

After making over 50 appearances with the Warriors' reserve team, Bell made his NRL debut for the Warriors against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in round 21 of the 2017 NRL season. [9] [10]

Leigh Centurions

On 5 November 2020 it was announced that Bell would join Leigh for the 2021 season. [11]

St Helens R.F.C.

On 14 September 2021, it was reported that he had signed for St Helens R.F.C. (Heritage № 1270) in the Super League. Bell played 17 games for St Helens in the 2022 Super League season and featured in the clubs semi-final victory over Salford but he was not included in the grand final team which won their fourth successive title. [12] On 18 February 2023, Bell played in St Helens 13-12 upset victory over Penrith in the 2023 World Club Challenge. [13] Bell played 27 games for St Helens in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished third on the table. He played in St Helens narrow loss against the Catalans Dragons in the semi-final which stopped them reaching a fifth successive grand final. [14] In round 11 of the 2024 Super League season, Bell scored two tries for St Helens in their 60-6 victory over Castleford. [15]

International career

In October, Bell was named in the Scotland squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. [16] Bell played all three matches for Scotland at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup where they finished bottom of their group. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrison Hansen</span> New Zealand and Samoa international rugby league footballer

Harrison Luther Mata'afa Hansen is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row and loose forward for Toulouse Olympique in the Betfred Championship. He has played for Samoa and New Zealand at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Lam</span> Papua New Guinea rugby league coach and former international

Adrian Lam is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league coach, and former player, who is currently the head coach of the Super League club Leigh Leopards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Sa'u</span> New Zealand & Samoan rugby league player

Tafeaga Junior Sa'u is a professional New Zealand and Samoan rugby league player who plays as a centre for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR). He also plays for the Keighley Cougars in RFL League 1. He previously played for New Zealand and Samoa at the international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Isa</span> Samoa international rugby league footballer

Willie Isa is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a Second-row, Centre, Loose forward or winger for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League.

Tyrone McCarthy is an Ireland international former rugby league footballer who played as a second-row or loose forward for the Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Gelling</span> Cook Islands international rugby league footballer

Anthony Gelling is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre, winger and second-row forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kane Linnett</span> Scotland international rugby league footballer

Kane Linnett is a retired Scotland international rugby league footballer, who plays as a centre or second-row forward for Sarina Crocodiles in the Mackay & District Rugby League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Tuimavave</span> Samoa international rugby league footballer

Carlos Tuimavave is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or stand-off for Hull F.C. in the Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Ioane</span> NZ rugby league footballer

Mark Ioane is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Keighley Cougars in the Betfred Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matty Russell</span> Scotland international rugby league footballer

Matthew Russell is a Scottish professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback or winger for Leeds Rhinos, on short-term loan from Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League and Scotland at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nene Macdonald</span> Papua New Guinea international rugby league footballer

Nene Macdonald is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or centre for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League and Papua New Guinea at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Asiata</span> Samoa & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Atalani "John" Asiata is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a loose forward, prop and stand-off for the Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League, and has played for both Samoa and Tonga at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agnatius Paasi</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Agnatius Paasi is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for St Helens in the Betfred Super League and Tonga at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuimoala Lolohea</span> New Zealand and Tonga international rugby league footballer

Tuimoala Lolohea is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a stand-off or fullback for the Huddersfield Giants in the Betfred Super League. He has played for both New Zealand and Tonga at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Savelio</span> NZ rugby league footballer (born 1995)

Andre Savelio is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for Huddersfield Giants in the Betfred Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Hutchison (rugby league)</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Drew Hutchison is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathaniel Peteru</span> New Zealand rugby league footballer

Nathaniel Peteru is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who last played as a prop and second-row forward for the Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League. He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, and for Hull Kingston Rovers and the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Lino</span> Samoa international rugby league footballer

Mason Lino is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half and stand-off for Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Championship and Samoa at the international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ata Hingano</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Mafoa'aeata "Ata" Hingano is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half, stand-off or hooker for the York Knights in the Betfred Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachlan Lam</span> Englan international rugby league footballer

Lachlan Lam is a Papua New Guinea international rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half or stand-off for Liegh in the Super League.

References

  1. Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "James Bell (W) - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  2. "James Bell - Player Stats" . Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  3. "Scotland add Two NRL Talents as Walker is withdrawn". RLWC2017.com. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  4. "B". 27 December 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. "LeagueUnlimited NYC Teams - 2014 Grand Final » League Unlimited". League Unlimited. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. Media, NRL Digital (3 March 2015). "VB NSW CUP TEAMS ROUND 1" . Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. Media, NRL Digital (13 September 2016). "Mannering's fifth player of the year".
  8. "Auckland Rugby League - Auckland Rugby League". aucklandleague.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  9. "Updated team lists: Warriors v Sharks". 28 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  10. Media, NRL Digital. "[Late mail] Bell called up for debut" . Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  11. "James Bell joins Leigh Centurions". www.rugby-league.com. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  12. "St Helens complete signing of Leigh Centurions and Scotland star". Manchester Evening News. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  13. "St Helens stun Penrith to win World Club Challenge". BBC Sport.
  14. "Paul Wellens Q&A: Saints review of year and a look to 2024". www.sthelensstar.co.uk. 14 October 2023.
  15. "St Helens romp to 10-try victory at Castleford". www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. Media, NRL Digital (12 October 2017). "[RLWC2017] Bell the Braveheart" . Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  17. "Rugby League World Cup: Fiji 30-14 Scotland - Bravehearts out in group phase". BBC Sport.