James Lowes
James Lowes is a former professional rugby league footballer, coach. He played for Hunslet and Leeds, but arguably his best years were spent with the Bradford Bulls, where he won many trophies, he played there from 1996 to 2003. Lowes began his career at Hunslet, moving to Leeds in 1992, before joining Bradford for the inaugural Super League season. Lowes was the 1997 Bradford Bulls season's top try scorer, won the Man of Steel Award as the Bulls claimed their first Super League championship. In the 1997 post-season Lowes was selected to play for Great Britain at hooker in all three matches against Australia in the Super League Test series, scoring a try in the opening game. Lowes played for Bradford Bulls at hooker in the 1999 Super League Grand Final, lost to St. Helens. Lowes played for the Bradford Bulls at hooker, scored a try in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors; as Super League VI champions, the Bulls played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge.
Lowes played at hooker in Bradford's victory. Lowes played for Bradford Bulls at hooker in their 2002 Super League Grand Final loss against St. Helens. Lowes played for the Bradford Bulls at hooker and scored a try in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors, his final match before retirement. Lowes' legacy was acknowledged when he was included in Bradford's'Millennium Masters','Bull Masters', in August 2007 was named in the club's'Team of the Century'. Only six players have been included in all three lists. Lowes began a coaching career following his retirement as a player, joining Salford City Reds as an assistant coach in 2004. Whilst on the coaching staff at Salford he made one appearance in a friendly match against Swinton, scoring a try. Lowes moved to Warrington Wolves as an assistant coach, was named head coach following the departure of Paul Cullen in the 2008 season. However, after a disappointing opening to the 2009 season Lowes left the club and was replaced by Tony Smith.
He joined Leeds Rhinos as an assistant to Brian McDermott. In 2013 Lowes was named as head coach at Leeds Carnegie. In June 2014 Lowes was named as head coach at Bradford Bulls. After the disappointment and shock of being relegated out of Super League XIX after being one of the most successful Super League teams among the years, Lowes made his team one game away from returning to the Super League in 2016, they only required to now win a'Million Pound Game' and final qualifier which determined if either Wakefield would remain in the Super League again next season or whether Bradford would return to the top flight again. However Bradford would suffer a 24-16 defeat which would cause Lowes' men to remain in the Championship for the 2016 rugby league season. Lowes after the match caused a stir, after he took the match and was tempted to quit rugby league. In August 2015, Lowes became McNamara's new assistant as he took up the assistant coach role of the England national team.! Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk James Lowes at warringtonwolves.org The Millennium Masters - Forwards Bull Masters - James Lowes Team Of The Century James Lowes named Head Coach James Lowes - Hall-of-Fame at hunsletrlfc.com Yorkshire Carnegie profile
Craig Smith (rugby league, born 1971)
Craig Smith is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Illawarra Steelers, the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights as well as representing New Zealand, New Zealand Māori and Queensland. Smith played at prop. Smith was born in Kaitaia, New Zealand and was a rugby union player in Northland. Smith took up rugby league. Smith commenced his top level career with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 1995 ARL season, he moved to the Illawarra Steelers. Smith played at prop forward for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in their 1999 NRL Grand Final loss to the Melbourne Storm. Following a series of suspensions in 2001 for contrary conduct and striking, Smith left the NRL and Australia in 2002 to play for the Super League club, the Wigan Warriors. With Wigan, he won the 2002 Challenge Cup Final. In 2003 he was named at prop in the season's Super League Dream Team. Smith played for the Wigan Warriors at prop in the 2003 Super League Grand Final, lost to the Bradford Bulls.
In 2005, Smith agreed to a return to the NRL with the Newcastle Knights. Although intending to retire at the end of the 2005 season, Smith was re-signed by Newcastle for the 2006 season. A broken jaw in August 2006 sidelined him for several rounds but he was fit to return for Newcastle's finals appearances. Smith played his last NRL game in Newcastle's semi-finals defeat by the Brisbane Broncos. Smith was selected to represent Queensland as a prop for games I and II of the 1997 State of Origin series and on the bench for game III. Smith was selected to go on the 1998 New Zealand tour of Great Britain and played for the Kiwis twelve times between 1998 and 2001. Smith was selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the end of season 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played at prop forward in the Kiwis' 20-22 loss. Smith was again coaxed out of retirement to take part in the New Zealand Māori team that met the Indigenous Dreamtime team in a commemorative match at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
Smith has been on the coaching staff for the under-20s side at Newcastle. Whiticker, Alan; the Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 609. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1. NRL profile Craig Smith at NRL Stats
Terry Newton
Terry Newton was an English rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Lancashire, at club level for Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, was one of a handful of players to feature in each of the first 15 seasons of Super League. In February 2010, he was given a two-year ban after being one of the first sportsmen to have tested positive for human growth hormone, he was found hanged in his home seven months later. Newton joined Leeds after a protracted transfer from amateur team Wigan St Judes, after Warrington had claimed they had signed the young Newton. Terry missed his first year of Academy rugby due to the problem however when he joined in March 1996 he made an immediate impact, he made his début for Leeds against Sheffield Eagles at Headingley in April of that year and by the next season was a regular in the side making 26 appearances in 1997 and scoring 2 tries. His progression continued in 1998, despite going on loan to Bramley for a month, he still played in the Grand Final team at Old Trafford before playing his best season at the club in 1999.
Leeds had signed Great Britain No 9 Lee Jackson, Newton's opportunities looked limited, however coach Graham Murray came up with a game plan that used both to their maximum potential. Newton, with his no nonsense direct play would start games with Jackson coming on off the bench to carve teams open, he played for Leeds Rhinos at hooker in their 1998 Super League Grand Final loss to Wigan Warriors. Newtown gained two caps in the 1998 Great Britain v New Zealand test series whilst at Leeds. Newton won international honours with two caps for England against France in October 1999, he scored 6 tries. Newton joined, he was a prolific try scorer for Wigan, bagging over a dozen tries in each of his first two seasons. Newton played for the Wigan Warriors at hooker in their 2000 Super League Grand Final loss against St. Helens, he played for England in 2001 against Wales. He played for Wigan at hooker in their 2001 Super League Grand Final loss to the Bradford Bulls. Terry would have represented Great Britain in the 2001 Ashes series had it not been for a broken arm suffered in the Wigan Grand Final defeat by Bradford at Old Trafford.
Newton signed a 4-year extension to his Wigan contract in August 2002. Newton won caps for Great Britain while at Wigan in 2002 against Australia, in 2003 against Australia, in 2004 against Australia, New Zealand, he played much of the 2003 season despite needing a knee operation. He decided to put the operation back to the end of the year because the club was suffering an injury crisis at the time, he was rewarded for his efforts when he was included in the 2003 Super League'Dream Team'. Newton played for the Wigan Warriors at hooker in the 2003 Super League Grand Final, lost to the Bradford Bulls, he made his return to the Great Britain squad for the 2003 Ashes series, despite needing a knee operation. Newton was selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played at hooker in the Lions' 44–4 loss. At Wigan, Newton featured in three Super League Grand Finals, was on the losing side on each occasion.
Newton moved to Bradford for the start of the 2006 season as part of a swap deal involving Mickey Higham. While at Bradford he played for Great Britain in 2006 against New Zealand, New Zealand, Australia, in 2007 against New Zealand, he was a consistent performer for Bradford, but the club did not feature in a major final during his time there. He was allowed to leave the club following the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2009 season. Newton signed for Wakefield Trinity following the expiry of his contract at Bradford. On 22 February 2010 Newton was banned for two years by the UK Anti-Doping Agency after failing a drug test on 24 November 2009, he was just two games into 2-year deal that he had signed with Wakefield Trinity, but the contract was cancelled. The father of two young girls became a pub licensee following his ban. On 26 September 2010, Newton was found hanged in a house on Harswell Close in the Orrell district of Wigan. A post mortem found traces of cocaine and the steroid nandrolone within his system, prescription anti-depressants, consumption of alcohol, all of which could have impaired his judgement.
Newton had left several notes stating. Coroner Jennifer Leeming recorded an open verdict. Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com Bradford profile 2001 Ashes profile Newton looking to hit Hull early
Robbie Paul
Robert Rawiri "Robbie" Hunter-Paul is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer, now business owner and television pundit. He runs Xtra Mile Marketing, an inbound and digital marketing company. Robbie retired from playing at the end of the 2011 season following a 19 season career with: Bradford Bulls, Harlequin FC, Huddersfield Giants, Salford City Reds and Leigh Centurions, he spent just under 2 years as business development manager at Huddersfield Giants, 3 years as CEO at Bradford Bulls. Robbie played for the New Zealand Kiwis national team from 1997 - 2006, he is the younger brother of England Rugby player Henry Paul. Born in Tokoroa, New Zealand, his junior club was the Te Atatu Roosters in West Auckland, his mother, Gail, is of English descent and his father, Te Whata, known as Walter, is Maori. In the 1994 Lion Red Cup he played 11 games for the Waitakere City Raiders, scoring three tries. Paul joined Bradford in July 1994 from New Zealand at the age of 18 and has since gone on to represent New Zealand.
He made his debut for Bradford after months languishing in the reserves. When Super League and summer rugby arrived, so did Australian coach Brian Smith, who made Paul captain. In the semi-final of the 1996 Challenge Cup, Bradford shocked traditional foes Leeds at Huddersfield. Paul captained Bradford at scrum half back in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final and became the fourth player to achieve what was a Challenge Cup final record of three tries, being awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for man-of-the-match, he was the 1996 Bradford Bulls season's top try scorer and still holds the record for most tries scored for the Bulls. Paul went into his winter loan spell with rugby union club Harlequins. Paul played for Bradford Bulls as his brother Henry's halves partner in the 1999 Super League Grand Final, lost to St Helens R. F. C.. Paul was selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the end of season 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he partnered his brother Henry in the halves, kicking six goals in the Kiwis' 22–20 loss.
Paul played for the Bradford Bulls as his brother Henry's halves partner in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. As Super League VI champions, the Bulls played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge. Paul scored two tries in Bradford's victory. Paul played for Bradford Bulls at stand-off half back, scoring a try in their 2002 Super League Grand Final loss against St. Helens. Paul captained the Bulls to the "Treble" in 2003, he played for the Bradford Bulls from the interchange bench in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. He captained the Bulls to victory against Australian side Penrith Panthers in the 2004 World Club Challenge, he played for the Bradford Bulls at hooker in their 2004 Super League Grand Final loss against the Leeds Rhinos. The following year he played for the Bradford Bulls from the interchange bench in their 2005 Super League Grand Final victory against the Leeds Rhinos.
His Bradford Bulls testimonial was played on 27 January 2006 against Hull Kingston Rovers at Odsal Stadium. He has been included in Bradford's. Only six players have been included in all three lists. Robbie Paul was voted the 1996 Super League Player of the season at 20 years of age. At the start of 2006's Super League XI, Paul moved from Bradford Bulls to fellow West Yorkshire side Huddersfield Giants, he played at scrum half back in his 2006 Challenge Cup Final in August. Despite scoring a second-half try, his side lost 42–12 to St Helens R. F. C. at Twickenham stadium. In September 2007, it was announced; this was seen as something of a coup for the club, as they had just been relegated from the Super League. He signed with Co-operative Championship side Leigh Centurions for the 2010 season, he retired at the end of the 2011 season. In 2000, alongside his brother Henry and Lazarus, he released a single with his band Massey, named after the town in New Zealand where the Paul brothers grew up, they had played a couple of dates by the end of 2000 and released a cover version of'Ain't no stopping us now' in 1999.
Robbie hosts the weekly rugby league show'The RHP Show' every Wednesday at 6pm on West Yorkshire's pulse 2 Radio Station. Robbie Hunter-Paul appears on the BBC's rugby league coverage including the Super League Show and the Challenge Cup games. On 17 December 2010, Robbie married Natalie Hunter in Auckland, New Zealand, at a ceremony attended by many of the world's greatest rugby players and duly changed his surname to incorporate "Hunter". Bibliography Robbie Paul player profile from GiantsRL.com NZ Player Profile Passion for Sport 2001 The Millennium Masters – Substitutes Bull Masters – Robbie Paul Team Of The Century
Harry Sunderland Trophy
The Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded annually to the man of the match in the Super League Grand Final. Named after Harry Sunderland, an Australian rugby league football administrator in both Australia and the United Kingdom, the Trophy was first awarded in the Rugby Football League Championship Final of the 1964–65 season following Sunderland's death. After the 1972–73 season the play-off system was dropped as the League went to two divisions; the Trophy's use was continued in the Rugby League Premiership and Super League Premiership finals until Super League III, when a play-off system was re-introduced to determine the Champions through the Grand Final. The trophy's winner is determined by the Rugby League Writers' Association and presented on the field following the conclusion of the match. In 2011, Rob Burrow of Leeds Rhinos became the first player to achieve the unanimous votes of all 37 judges when winning the award. † = denotes a player who played on the losing team in the final. Clive Churchill Medal - corresponding award for the NRL Grand Final
Jamie Peacock
James Darryl Peacock MBE, is an English professional rugby league footballer who played for the Leeds Rhinos and the Bradford Bulls in the Super League, captained both Great Britain and England at international level. After retiring at the end of the 2015 season he became football manager at the Hull Kingston Rovers but resumed his playing career towards the end of the 2016 season, his position of choice was prop. He is one of the most successful players in Super League history, having won a total of nine Super League championships, four Challenge Cup winners medals, been named to the Super League Dream Team on eleven occasions and won the Man of Steel award in 2003. Born in Leeds, Peacock is a product of Bradford Bulls' junior programme, having played as a junior for Stanningley RLFC. On his way to becoming a first team regular for Bradford, Jamie spent a month on loan at Featherstone Rovers making four appearances and scoring one try, he enjoyed a spell at University of Wollongong in Australia as he learned his rugby trade.
He made his Super League début in 1999 for Bradford, making two starts and 16 substitute appearances for the club, scoring six tries. However, it was the following year that he cemented his place in the side, helping Bradford to Rugby League Challenge Cup success over Leeds at Murrayfield. During his time with Bradford he won every honour available, with Grand Final, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge honours to his credit with Peacock recognised as being one of the key ingredients of this success, he gained a reputation as one of the best forwards in world rugby and is a player who has gained respect from not just the fans but the critics as well as his peers, winning such accolades as Man of Steel, Players’ Player of the Year and Rugby League Writers’ Player of the Year. Peacock earned himself a place in John Kear’s England side for the 2000 World Cup, he made four appearances in the World Cup that year, scoring an impressive six tries which including a hat trick against Fiji at Headingley.
Peacock played for the Bradford Bulls as a second-row in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. Peacock played for England in 2001 against Wales. In 2001, he capped the season by making his Great Britain début against Australia scoring a try after just 86 seconds of his début in the first test victory at Huddersfield, he become a permanent presence in the Great Britain squad making 14 appearances, all but three of which have been in the starting line up. Peacock won caps for Great Britain while at Bradford Bulls in 2001 against Australia, Australia, in 2002 against Australia, New Zealand, New Zealand, in 2003 against Australia, in 2004 against Australia, New Zealand, in 2005 against Australia, New Zealand; as Super League VI champions, the Bulls played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge. Peacock played as a second-row in Bradford's victory, he made 30 appearances as Bradford again returned to Old Trafford for the 2002 Super League Grand Final only to lose out to a Sean Long drop goal.
However, Bradford were unstoppable as they captured the Challenge Cup, League Leaders and Grand Final trophies ahead of Leeds and Wigan and Peacock was named Players Player of the Year, Rugby League Writers Player of the Year and Man of Steel. Peacock played for the Bradford Bulls as a second-row in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. Having won Super League VIII, Bradford played against 2003 NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Peacock captained the Bulls as a second-row in their 22-4 victory. Bradford battled all the way with Leeds to the 2004 Super League Grand Final where Leeds got the advantage over their old nemesis. Peacock was selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played as a second-row in the Lions' 44-4 loss. Peacock was honoured with the captaincy at Bradford Bulls in his final year at Odsal and played for the Bulls as a prop in their 2005 Super League Grand Final victory against Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.
Peacock was made captain of Great Britain for the 2005 and 2006 Gillette Tri-Nations tournaments due to injuries to Paul Sculthorpe. Leeds born Peacock joined the club, he made his Leeds début against Huddersfield on the opening day of the season. Peacock played for Great Britain while at Leeds in 2006 against New Zealand, Australia, in 2007 against New Zealand, he played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens. and was part of the 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012 Super League Grand Final squads and team that won the World Club Challenge against Manly Sea Eagles. He played for England in 2008 against France. On 16 June 2008, Peacock was announced as the England captain for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia. In Group A's first match against Papua New Guinea he played as a prop in England's victory, he played against Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, in 2009 against France, New Zealand and Australia. Peacock played a starring role in Leeds' 33-6 Grand Final defeat of reigning champions' St Helens.
He played a full 80 minutes to win his 4th Super League champions ring. He was named in the Super League Dream Team for both the 2008's Super League XIII & 2009's Super League XIV season, he was selected to play for England against France in the one-off test in 2010. Jamie signed a new one-year deal at Leeds in July 2011; that ye
Brian Noble (rugby league)
Brian David Noble MBE known by the nickname of "Nobby", is an English rugby league coach and former player. As a player, Noble was a Great Britain representative hooker, however he is better known for his coaching career, during which he coached the Bradford Bulls, the Wigan Warriors, the Crusaders RL and the Salford Red Devils in the Super League, the Great Britain national team, he was the first coach to win three Super League Grand Finals, is one of only two coaches to have achieved that feat along with Brian McDermott. He is the Director of Rugby for the Toronto Wolfpack, works as a pundit for BBC Sport. Noble was born in West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Brian Noble's early rugby league career was as a member of the Police Boys' Clubs before he signed for Bradford Northern, his début came in the 1978-79 season and was the beginning of 15 years and over 400 games with the club, concluding in the centenary season of 1995-96 following a spell at Wakefield Trinity. Noble combined his professional career with his job as a policeman, captained Great Britain on the Lions' tour of Australasia in 1984.
He played in all seven tests including the test in Papua New Guinea. Brian Noble played hooker in Bradford Northern's 5-10 defeat by Castleford in the 1981 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 3 October 1981, played hooker in the 7-18 defeat by Hull F. C. in the 1982 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 2 October 1982, played hooker in the 12-12 draw with Castleford in the 1987 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 17 October 1987, played hooker in the 11-2 victory Castleford in the 1987 Yorkshire County Cup Final replay during the 1987–88 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 31 October 1987. Brian Noble played hooker in Bradford Northern's 2-12 defeat by Warrington in the 1990–91 Regal Trophy Final during the 1990–91 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 12 January 1991, played hooker in the 15-8 defeat by Wigan in the 1992–93 Regal Trophy Final during the 1992–93 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1993.
After 6 years serving in the backroom staff at the club following his retirement, he was appointed Bradford head coach in November 2000. After initial confusion regarding chairman Chris Caisley's appointment - the tabloids reported that the new coach was Radio 4 comedian Ross Noble! - he was a hugely popular choice to succeed departing coach Matthew Elliott. Noble took Bradford Bulls to the 2001 Super League Grand Final; as Super League VI champions, Bradford played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge. Noble oversaw Bradford's victory. In July 2002, Noble received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bradford for his achievements as a rugby league footballer, coach, he took Bradford to the 2002 Super League Grand Final, lost to St. Helens, he was named Super League coach of the year in 2003 and succeeded David Waite as Great Britain coach following the 2003 Ashes series. Noble took Bradford to the Grand Final again in 2004 but lost out to local rivals Leeds Rhinos 16-8 at Old Trafford.
Noble led Bradford to victory in the 2005 Super League Grand Final his third Championship in five years with the club. Noble left Bradford midway through the 2006 season to join Wigan, handing control to his assistant Steve McNamara. While head coach of Bradford, Noble guided the Bulls to two Minor Premiership titles, victory in three Grand Finals in 2001, 2003 and 2005, victory in the Challenge Cup in 2003 and to three World Club Championships in 2002, 2004 and 2006. In 2004 he received the Rugby League International Federation's coach of the year award. On 20 April 2006 Noble took up the position of head coach at Wigan, nine days after the sacking of Ian Millward. Brian took over at the club during a relegation battle which at one point looked as though Wigan would lose, however he has been credited for keeping Wigan in Super League following a number of impressive performance. However, despite having just £60,000 available to spend under the salary cap, Noble bought Stuart Fielden and Michael Dobson from the Bradford Bulls for a world record £450,000.
At the end of the season when the club's books were audited by the league's accountants, it was found there was an unauthorised overspend of £222,314, which led to allegations that the club cheated their way out of relegation by deliberately spending money they didn't have due to salary cap restrictions. However the club was only found guilty of "breaching the spirit of the cap", by trying to restructure existing contracts. On 17 January 2007 it was announced that his contract as head coach of the British national team would not be renewed. In June 2009 there was speculation that Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan had approached New Zealand national rugby league coach Stephen Kearney in relation to succeeding Brian Noble as head coach at Wigan. In October 2009, after the defeat by St Helens in the semi-final play-off game, Noble announced he would be leaving to club. On 14 October 2009 Noble was confirmed as the new head coach of the Welsh side Crusaders. Jon Sharp was first-team coach, Iestyn Harris was an assistant.
In the 2010 season Noble managed to gain 13 wins, a vast improvement on the season before, took them into the play offs for the first time. In November 2010, Noble confirmed his departure from Crusaders Rugby League after only one season in charge, his last match as Head Coach was an 18-12 loss away to Huddersfield in an Elimination Play-off tie. On 13 April 2013 N
