Matthew Wright (rugby league)

Last updated

Matthew Wright
Matthew Wright 2017.jpg
Personal information
Born (1991-01-30) 30 January 1991 (age 33)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height6 ft 4 in (1.92 m)
Weight14 st 13 lb (95 kg)
Playing information
Position Wing, Fullback, Centre, Hooker
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2009–13 Cronulla Sharks 62126060
2014–15 North Queensland 34180072
2016–18 Manly Sea Eagles 4712430134
2019–23 Newcastle Thunder 3920000
Total18262490266
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2013–17 Samoa 524016
2016–2018 World All Stars 10000
Source: [1] [2]
As of 29 December 2020

Matthew Wright (born 30 January 1991) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre , wing and fullback for the Townsville Blackhawks in Hostplus Cup.

Contents

He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL and the Central Queensland Capras in the Intrust Super Cup.

Early career

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Wright grew up in Blacktown, New South Wales, playing his junior rugby league for St Patrick's and attending Patrician Brothers' College. While attending Patrician Brothers', Wright was a member of their rugby league team that was defeated by Matraville High in the final of 2007 GIO Schoolboy Cup. [3] In 2008, Wright was selected to play for the Australian Schoolboys.

A Penrith Panthers junior, Wright played for the Panther's Harold Matthews Cup and S.G. Ball Cup sides, winning the Harold Matthews Player of the Year award in 2007. [4] In 2008, Wright debuted for Penrith's NYC team. In 10 games, he scored six tries and kicked 28 goals. [5] That year he signed a three-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks. [6]

Playing career

Wright playing for the Sharks in 2009 MATTHEW WRIGHT.jpg
Wright playing for the Sharks in 2009

2009

After starting the 2009 season in the NYC, Wright made his first grade debut for the Sharks at just 18 years old. [2] In his rookie season, Wright played 17 games and scored 6 tries.

2010

Wright spent the 2010 season playing for Cronulla's NYC and NSW Cup sides. At the end of the season, Wright played two games for the Junior Kangaroos, and was selected in Samoa's train-on squad.

2011

In 2011, Wright returned to first grade for the Sharks, playing 19 games all on the wing and scoring 4 tries.

Wright playing for the Sharks-Storm team in the NSW Cup in 2012 Matthew Wright rugby 2012c.jpg
Wright playing for the Sharks-Storm team in the NSW Cup in 2012

2012

Wright spent the majority of 2012 playing fullback for Cronulla, scoring 1 try.

2013

In 2013, he made his test debut for Samoa in the Pacific Rugby League International against Tonga. [7]

Later that season, Wright was a member of the Sharks victorious New South Wales Cup side. [8]

2014

In January 2014, Wright signed a one-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. [9] Wright made his debut for the Cowboys in their Round 5 win over the Newcastle Knights, in which he scored a try. On 22 August, Wright became one of the current NRL players and former Sharks players to accept reduced bans from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority for his role in the club's 2011 supplements program. [10]

Wright finished his first season for the Cowboys with 9 tries in 17 games, including a first half hat-trick in the side's 64–6 win over the Wests Tigers.

2015

In Round 5 of the 2015 NRL season, Wright scored his second hat-trick for the Cowboys in their 30–10 win over the Penrith Panthers.

2016

On 22 April, Wright was granted a release from the Cowboys to join the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on a three-year contract. [11] On 7 May 2016, Wright played for Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup against Tonga, where he played on the wing and scored a try in the 18–6 win at Parramatta Stadium. [12] Later in the year he represented Samoa in their historical test match against Fiji in Apia. He kicked 3 goals in Samoa's two point defeat.

2019

On 9 Jun 2019, Newcastle Thunder announced the signing of Wright [13] [14]

Statistics

NRL

Statistics are correct to Round 26 of the 2016 season [2]
SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts
2009 Cronulla-Sutherland 1760024
2011 Cronulla-Sutherland 1946/785.7028
2012 Cronulla-Sutherland 211004
2013 Cronulla-Sutherland 51004
2014 North Queensland 1790/10.0036
2015 North Queensland 1790036
2016 Manly-Warringah 1527/1070.00022
Career totals1103213/1872.220154

International

SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts
2013 Samoa 10000
2016 Samoa 213100.00010
Career totals313100.00010

Personal life

Wright is the nephew of former New Zealand international Tony Tatupu and Wests Tigers back Tim Simona (despite actually being almost 10 months older than Simona). He is also a cousin of Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks forward Jesse Sene-Lefao and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs forward Lamar Liolevave.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Paulo</span> US & Samoa international rugby league footballer

Joseph Paulo is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a loose forward, second-row and stand-off for Pia in the Elite Two Championship. He has played for both Samoa and the United States at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Graham</span> Australia international rugby league footballer

Wade Graham is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward and captained the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for Australia at international level.

Dunamis Lui is a Samoa international rugby league footballer plays as a prop and lock for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse Sene-Lefao</span> Samoa international rugby league footballer

Jesse Sene-Lefao is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop or second-row forward for the Sheffield Eagles in the RFL Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayden Hodges</span> Australian professional rugby player

Jayden Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who is the captain of the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup. He primarily plays as a hooker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Trbojevic</span> Australia international rugby league footballer

Jake Trbojevic also known as “Jurbo” is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock and prop for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Gagan</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Jacob Gagan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendan Elliot</span> Australian professional rugby league footballer

Brendan Elliot is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a winger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Jennings (rugby league)</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

George Jennings is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who last played as a winger for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kane Elgey</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Kane Elgey, also known by the nickname of "LG", is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a halfback for the Gold Coast Titans and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL. Elgey played for the Prime Minister's XIII in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Kennar</span> Samoan rugby league footballer

Richard Kennar is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger and centre for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.

The 2016 North Queensland Cowboys season was the 22nd in the club's history and their first as defending premiers. Coached by Paul Green and co-captained by Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, they competed in the NRL's 2016 Telstra Premiership. In the pre-season the Cowboys competed in the 2016 Auckland Nines tournament, reaching the quarter-finals. The team finished the regular season in 4th, losing in the preliminary final to the eventual premiers, the Cronulla Sharks.

The 2016 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles season was the 67th in the club's history. The year also represented the 70th anniversary of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles since their entry into the then New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership in 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Cullen</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Cameron Cullen is a former Australian professional rugby league footballer who previously played for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup. He was primarily known as a five-eighth, halfback and hooker. He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans and the Manly Sea Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addin Fonua-Blake</span> NZ & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Addin Fonua-Blake is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Tonga and New Zealand at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jai Arrow</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Jai Arrow also known as Cupid is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-rower, lock and prop for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL

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

Brad Parker is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braden Hamlin-Uele</span> NZ & Samoa international rugby league footballer

Braden Hamlin-Uele is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. He has played for both Samoa and New Zealand at international level.

Enari Tuala is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or centre for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronaldo Mulitalo</span> NZ & Samoa international rugby league footballer

Ronaldo Mulitalo is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who plays as a winger for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Samoa and New Zealand at international level.

References

  1. loverugbyleague
  2. 1 2 3 "Matthew Wright – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. 30 January 1991. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  3. "Arrive Alive Cup, AAC, aac, Arrive Alive Cup, National Schoolboys knockout competition, Arrive Alive". Ourfootyteam.com. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  4. "2009 Harold Matthew's Cup Results". Ourfootyteam.com. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  5. "Players". NYC DATABASE. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  6. "Wright time for a baby Shark". Our Footy Team. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  7. Wright happy to be Sharks' centre of attention Stuff.co.nz, 22 March 2013
  8. Michael Carayannis (6 October 2013). "Cronulla Sharks overpower Windsor Wolves to claim NSW Cup title". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  9. "Cowboys sign Matthew Wright for 2014". Zero Tackle.
  10. "Cronulla Sharks players accept doping bans". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  11. "Matthew Wright to join Manly". Sea Eagles. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  12. "Samoa holds on in pulsating Pacific Test". nrl.com. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  13. "Wright rumbles in to Thunder". www.thunderrugby.co.uk. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  14. "Samoa star Matthew Wright returns to Newcastle". www.loverugbyleague.com. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.