:Curtis Sironen
{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Curtis Sironen
|fullname = Curtis James Sironen[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/yp3fLlAjhBWIprI1AU6mj4N2FAc/appointments Companies House]
|nickname =
|image = Curtis Sironen City.jpg
|image_size =
|country =
|position = {{rlp|SR|FE|LF}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|07|31|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|1.93|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|weight = {{convert|110|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|club1 = Wests Tigers
|year1start = 2012
|year1end = 16
|appearances1 = 65
|tries1 = 8
|goals1 = 4
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 40
|club2 = Manly Sea Eagles
|year2start = 2017
|year2end = 21
|appearances2 = 66
|tries2 = 17
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 68
|club3 = St Helens
|year3start = 2022
|year3end = present
|appearances3 = 72
|tries3 = 12
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 48
|teamA = City Origin
|yearAstart = 2013
|yearAend = 17
|appearancesA = 4
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/curtis-sironen/summary.html Curtis Sironen] rugbyleagueproject.org[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/player-profile?playerid=111949&teamid=3400 League Central]
|updated = 15 April 2025
| module = {{infobox person
| embed = yes
| father = Paul Sironen
| mother =
| spouse =
| relatives = Bayley Sironen (brother)
| education = Holy Cross College, Ryde
}}
}}
Curtis Sironen (born 31 July 1993) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|sr}} forward for St Helens in the Super League.
He previously played for the Wests Tigers and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He has also played at representative level for City Origin.
Early years
Sironen was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is the son of Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen.
Sironen played his junior football with the Dundas Shamrocks.{{cite web|work=weststigers.com.au|title=Curtis Sironen|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/playerprofiledisplay/Wests%20Tigers/Curtis%20Sironen/5453|access-date=3 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902115930/http://www.weststigers.com.au/playerprofiledisplay/Wests%20Tigers/Curtis%20Sironen/5453|archive-date=2 September 2012|df=dmy-all}} A student at Holy Cross College Ryde, Sironen captained the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges to victory in the Australian Schoolboys tournament in 2011.{{cite news|author=Sam Spurr|work=The Catholic Weekly|title=Curtis follows in Dad's footsteps|url=http://catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=3&subclassID=27&articleID=8849&class=Features&subclass=Sport|access-date=3 June 2012|date=28 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324020943/http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=3&subclassID=27&articleID=8849&class=Features&subclass=Sport|archive-date=24 March 2012|df=dmy-all}} He represented New South Wales at an under-18 level, and played for the Australian Schoolboys side in 2011,{{cite news|author=Daniel Lane|work=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Injury puts Sironen on back foot in race for No.7|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/injury-puts-sironen-on-back-foot-in-race-for-no7-20111210-1oop0.html|access-date=3 June 2012|date=11 December 2012}} while playing for Wests Tigers NYC team. Undergoing shoulder surgery after completing his HSC, Sironen rejoined the NYC team in round 9.
Playing career
=2012=
With Robert Lui leaving the club at the end of 2011, Sironen was considered a possible replacement for the Wests Tigers halfback, along with players Jacob Miller, Tim Moltzen and Tom Humble. Moltzen started the season at halfback, but a number of players filled the position before Benji Marshall moved from five-eighth.
Sironen was 18 years old when he made his debut from the bench against the North Queensland Cowboys midway through the 2012 NRL season.{{cite news|author=Michael Chammas|work=Newcastle Herald|title=Sheens ponders prospect of promoting Tigers' cub Sironen to key role|url=http://www.theherald.com.au/news/national/national/sport/sheens-ponders-prospect-of-promoting-tigers-cub-sironen-to-key-role/2570498.aspx|access-date=3 June 2012|date=28 May 2012}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The next week he made his first appearance in the starting side, playing at five-eighth and scoring a try. Coach Tim Sheens said of him, "I've been trying to hide him as long as I can. There's no doubt he's a first grader."{{cite news|author=Crystal Ja|work=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Sironen secures No.6 for Tigers in NRL|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/sironen-secures-no6-for-tigers-in-nrl-20120603-1zpmn.html|access-date=3 June 2012|date=3 June 2012}} Sironen is the first son of a former Balmain or Wests player to get a run for Wests Tigers.{{cite news|author=Brad Walter|work=The Courier|title=Five things we learnt from yesterday's game|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/national/national/sport/five-things-we-learnt-from-yesterdays-game/2570492.aspx|access-date=3 June 2012|date=28 May 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Having established himself as the team five-eighth outside Benji Marshall, Sironen had played 6 games when he was injured. Coach Tim Sheens said, "Young Curtis will be out for the season and we're pretty sure he'll need another reconstruction. When you throw your arm out like he did and the guy's going in another direction, even with a good shoulder you can suffer a dislocation."{{cite news|author=Christian Nicolussi|work=Daily Telegraph|title=Wests Tigers coach Wayne Cousins forced to reconfigure his backline thanks to heavy injury toll|url= http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-coach-tim-sheens-forced-to-reconfigure-his-backline-thanks-to-heavy-injury-toll/story-fndujljl-1226434195361|access-date=10 November 2012|date=25 July 2012}} Despite playing just 6 games for the year, he was named the club's joint Rookie of the Year.{{cite news|author=Wayne Cousins|work=weststigers.com.au|title=Aaron Woods named Player of the Year|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Aaron-Woods-named-Player-of-the-Year/64630|access-date=18 December 2012|date=28 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113215712/http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Aaron-Woods-named-Player-of-the-Year/64630|archive-date=13 November 2012|df=dmy }}
=2013=
Returning from injury in round 6 of 2013, Sironen was initially chosen in the halves. After only one game, Sironen was a late selection (after Josh Reynolds withdrew) to play for City in the annual City vs Country Origin match. He was the third least experienced player to ever appear in the match.{{cite news|author=Josh Massoud|work=Daily Telegraph|title=Wests Tigers' James Tedesco and Curtis Sironen promoted to City team|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-fullback-james-tedesco-promoted-to-city-team-following-withdrawal-of-jarryd-hayne/story-e6frexv9-1226620630527|access-date=2 March 2014|date=16 April 2013}} Later in the season, Braith Anasta was moved to five-eighth and Sironen played in the second-row. In the last 4 games of the year, Sironen scored a try in 3 games.
=2014=
After an injury-hampered 2014, where he was limited to 13 games, Sironen underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season.{{cn|date=October 2022}}
=2015=
He played in the first 11 rounds of 2015 before undergoing neck surgery. Returning to first grade in July, he made 19 appearances for the season. Mostly playing in the second row, he was on the field for a full 80 minutes in 15 games.{{cite web| work=weststigers.com.au| title=2015 Season Review: Curtis Sironen| author=Alicia Newton and Dan Talintyre| url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/10/07/_2015_season_review_.html| access-date=15 October 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044717/http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/10/07/_2015_season_review_.html| archive-date=4 March 2016| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} On 31 October 2015, Sironen needed to delete his Twitter account in the wake of a media story which arose that involved Sironen's former partner. According to reports, Sironen's ex-partner hacked into his Twitter account and posted a naked photo of him with another woman with the caption "I make excuses this is why my girlfriend who is tattooed on my arm left me". After the story was aired in the media Sironen tried to downplay the incident.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tiger-curtis-sironen-seemingly-outed-on-twitter-for-cheating-20151031-gknjxb.html|title=Wests Tigers star Curtis Sironen seemingly outed on Twitter for cheating|date=31 October 2015}}
=2016=
Sironen played the opening two games of the season in the second row, before missing three with injury. Soon after his return, he was chosen in the City side for the third time. Sironen said, "As someone who wants State of Origin honours in the future this is one of the stepping stones. Earlier this season I had a hamstring niggle. I've just been trying to get my body healthy and play for the Tigers, I'm just worrying about that before anything else. If I can put all the drama aside I'll be able to one day achieve the goals I've set myself."{{cite news| work= Sydney Morning Herald| title=Curtis Sironen calls City Origin jumper a stepping stone to State of Origin dream|author=Daniel Lane| url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTMtMTY3Ny00LS0tLS0tMTk3ODItLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t}}
In November 2016, it was reported that Sironen would opt out of his contract so he could join the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for 2 seasons starting in 2017.{{cite news| work= Triple M| title= 7th Tackle Reports Curtis Sironen Will Sign With Manly Sea Eagles|author=Triple M| url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2016/11/7th-tackle-reports-curtis-sironen-will-sign-with-manly-sea-eagles/}} In the wake of Sironen leaving the Wests Tigers, his father Paul slammed coach Jason Taylor in the media as he claimed that Taylor was leaving his son out of the first grade side on purpose. After Taylor was terminated, Paul Sironen said "He punted me then got rid of my young bloke last year, Well, karma's a bitch, Good riddance & don't let the door hit you on the way out!".{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/good-riddance-wests-tigers-legend-paul-sironen-delivers-withering-sendoff-to-jason-taylor-20170320-gv2ghg.html|title = 'Good riddance': Wests Tigers legend Paul Sironen delivers withering send-off to Jason Taylor|date = 21 March 2017}}
=2017=
On 4 May 2017, Sironen was placed under investigation by The NRL for an incident involving his former partner and the woman he had an affair with at a Balmain pub. It was alleged that Sironen smashed the door of a women's toilet because his former partner was spending far too long in the woman's cubicle with the woman he was cheated with. Witnesses said they had seen Sironen leave bleeding heavily from his hand and he was photographed two days later at training with his hand wrapped in a bandage.{{Cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/05/04/19/33/manly-sea-eagles-player-curtis-sironen-under-investigation-over-incident-in-balmain-pub|title=Manly Sea Eagles forward Curtis Sironen under NRL investigation over incident in Balmain pub}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/sironen-in-trouble-after-weekend-pub-incident-manly-sea-eagles/1piyqampdjz791s6npzyjxzf72 |title=Sironen in trouble after weekend pub incident | League | Sporting News |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=24 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524081215/http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/sironen-in-trouble-after-weekend-pub-incident-manly-sea-eagles/1piyqampdjz791s6npzyjxzf72 |url-status=dead }}
In the 2017 season, Sironen suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Round 14 and was ruled out for twelve weeks. He made it back for the last two games of the season – round 26 against the Penrith Panthers and then the elimination final, against the same opponents the following week.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/12/14/manlys-curtis-sironen-out-to-match-the-feats-of-a-club-great/|title = Manly's Curtis Sironen out to match the feats of a club great|date = 13 December 2017}} At the end of the season Curtis played 15 games for the Manly club scoring six tries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.totalfootystats.com.au/nrl-player-stats/manly-sea-eagles/curtis-sironen&disp_year=2017#.WxpzYlOFNAY|title=Curtis Sironen 2017 NRL Stats - Total Footy Stats}}
=2018=
In the 2018 NRL season, Sironen only managed to feature in 4 games for Manly as he missed the majority of the year with a knee injury which required a reconstruction.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/11/manly-sea-eagles-2018-season-review/|title=Manly Sea Eagles 2018 season review|date=10 September 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTQtMTcxNy00LS0tLS0tMTk3ODItLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project}}
=2019=
In Round 15 against the Gold Coast, Sironen scored 2 tries as Manly-Warringah won the match 30-12 at Cbus Super Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-29/parramatta-comeback-stuns-canberra-in-the-territory/11264246/|title=Parramatta beats Canberra 22-16, Manly beats Gold Coast 30-12, Newcastle beats Brisbane 26-12|newspaper=ABC News|date=29 June 2019}}
Sironen made 22 appearances for Manly in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 6th on the table and qualified for the finals. Sironen missed out on playing in the club's final series due a foot injury sustained in Manly's round 25 loss against Parramatta.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dce-still-battling-ankle-injury-as-manly-patch-together-team-for-home-final-20190913-p52qyj.html/|title=DCE still battling ankle injury as manly patch together team for home final|website=SMH|date=13 September 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-20/nrl-south-sydney-rabbitohs-beat-manly-sea-eagles-in-semi-final/11527098/|title=South Sydney Rabbitohs beat Manly Sea Eagles 34-26 in NRL semi-final|newspaper=ABC News|date=20 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/09/20/rabbitohs-dig-deep-to-eliminate-sea-eagles-in-finals-thriller/|title=Rabbitohs dig deep to eliminate Sea Eagles in finals thriller|website=NRL|date=20 September 2019}}
=2020=
Sironen played 18 games for Manly-Warringah in the 2020 NRL season as they finished a disappointing 13th on the table.{{Cite news |last=O'Loughlin |first=Liam |date=2020-10-26 |title=NRL 2020 Season Review: How will your side fare next year? |work=Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-2020-season-review-rugby-league-dragons-broncos-titans-tigers-knights-sharks-roosters-eels-rabbitohs-raiders-panthers-storm/k79lmelm2xgj1ffsf8xh7phob/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026175328/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-2020-season-review-rugby-league-dragons-broncos-titans-tigers-knights-sharks-roosters-eels-rabbitohs-raiders-panthers-storm/k79lmelm2xgj1ffsf8xh7phob/ |archive-date=2020-10-26}}
=2021=
It was announced in September 2021 that Sironen had signed a two-year deal with the reigning English Super League champions St Helens RLFC for the 2022 season.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
=2022=
In round 1 of the 2022 Super League season, Sironen made his club debut for St Helens R.F.C. where they defeated Catalans Dragons 28-8.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/st-helens-beat-catalans-in-fiery-season-opener-talking-points/|title=St Helens beat Catalans in fiery season opener – talking points|website=www.loverugbyleague.com}}
On 24 September 2022, Sironen played in St Helens 24-12 Grand Final victory over Leeds.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/24/st-helens-leeds-super-league-grand-final-match-report-rugby-league/|title=St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final|website=www.theguardian.com}}
=2023=
On 18 February 2023, Sironen played in St Helens 13-12 upset victory over Penrith in the 2023 World Club Challenge.{{cite news |title=St Helens stun Penrith to win World Club Challenge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64666651 |work=BBC Sport}}
In round 3 of the 2023 Super League season, Sironen was sent to the sin bin during St Helens 25-24 controversial loss against Leeds.{{cite web|url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/paul-wellens-view-major-referee-26387730/|title=Paul Wellens' view on major referee calls after St Helens' defeat to Leeds Rhinos|website=www.leeds-live.co.uk|access-date=6 March 2023|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307010545/https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/paul-wellens-view-major-referee-26387730|url-status=dead}}
Sironen played 15 games for St Helens in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished third on the table. Sironen played in St Helens narrow loss against the Catalans Dragons in the semi-final which stopped them reaching a fifth successive grand final.{{cite web|url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/23856044.paul-wellens-q-saints-review-year-look-2024/|title=Paul Wellens Q&A: Saints review of year and a look to 2024|website=www.sthelensstar.co.uk}}
=2024=
Sironen played 21 matches for St Helens in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish sixth on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/28/warrington-st-helens-super-league-eliminator-playoff-rugby-league-match-report/|title=
‘Soul destroying’: Warrington eliminate St Helens in golden drop goal thriller|website=www.theguardian.com}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Teams !Games !Tries !Goals !Pts |
| 2012
| rowspan="5" |{{Leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16}} Wests Tigers |6 |1 | |4 |
| 2013
|19 |3 |3 |18 |
| 2014
|13 |2 |1 |10 |
| 2015
|19 |1 | |4 |
| 2016
|8 |1 | |4 |
| 2017
| rowspan="5" |{{Leagueicon|Manly|16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |16 |6 | |24 |
| 2018
|4 |2 | |8 |
| 2019
|22 |5 | |20 |
| 2020
|18 |3 | |12 |
| 2021
|6 |1 | |4 |
| 2022
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} St Helens |24 |3 | |12 |
| 2023
|17 |4 | |16 |
| 2024
|23 |3 | |12 |
| 2025
|3 |1 | |4 |
| |Totals
|198 |35 |4 |152 |
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.seaeagles.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/manly-warringah-sea-eagles/curtis-sironen/ Manly Sea Eagles profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/sea-eagles/curtis-sironen/ NRL profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223215734/https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/sea-eagles/curtis-sironen/ |date=23 December 2017 }}
{{St Helens squad}}
{{St Helens - 2022 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sironen, Curtis}}
Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen
Category:Australian people of Finnish descent
Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England
Category:Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers players
Category:Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players
Category:New South Wales City Origin rugby league team players
Category:People educated at Holy Cross College, Ryde
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league halfbacks
Category:Rugby league players from Sydney
Category:Rugby league second-rows
Category:St Helens R.F.C. players