Adrian Morley

{{Short description|Former GB & England international rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Adrian Morley

|fullname = Adrian Paul Morley{{cite web |title=Adrian Paul Morley |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/AEiSDAYynU2xHdsaYkKtxlsgLG4/appointments |website=Companies House |access-date=23 July 2023}}

|image = Adrian Morley 2008.jpg

|image_size =

|caption =

|position = {{rlp|PR|SR}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|5|10}}

|birth_place = Salford, Greater Manchester, England

|height = {{convert|1.89|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{cite web|url= http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/778|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140316014122/http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/778|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2014-03-16|title= Adrian Morley Leeds Rhinos|author=|date=2015|website= www.superleague.co.uk|publisher= Rugby Football League|access-date=18 July 2015}}

|weight = {{convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|club1 = Leeds Rhinos

|year1start = 1995

|year1end = 00

|appearances1 = 149

|tries1 = 35

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 140

|club2 = Sydney Roosters

|year2start = 2001

|year2end = 06

|appearances2 = 114

|tries2 = 8

|goals2 = 0

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 32

|club3 = → Bradford Bulls

|year3start = 2005{{smaller|(loan)}}

|year3end =

|appearances3 = 6

|tries3 = 0

|goals3 = 0

|fieldgoals3 = 0

|points3 = 0

|club4 = Warrington Wolves

|year4start = 2007

|year4end = 13

|appearances4 = 173

|tries4 = 9

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 36

|club5 = → Swinton Lions

|year5start = 2013{{smaller|(loan)}}

|year5end =

|appearances5 = 1

|tries5 = 0

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 0

|points5 = 0

|club6 = Salford Red Devils

|year6start = 2014

|year6end = 15

|appearances6 = 54

|tries6 = 2

|goals6 = 0

|fieldgoals6 = 0

|points6 = 8

|retired = yes

|teamA = Great Britain

|yearAstart = 1996

|yearAend = 07

|appearancesA = 30

|triesA = 3

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 12

|teamB = England

|yearBstart = 2000

|yearBend = 12

|appearancesB = 23

|triesB = 1

|goalsB = 0

|fieldgoalsB = 0

|pointsB = 4

|updated =

|source = {{Rugby league records |id=3400 |title=Adrian Morley |access-date=23 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/adrian-morley/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Morley&submit=Go&c=England|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213140158/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Morley&submit=Go&c=England|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2013|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Morley&submit=Go&c=GB|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131213125432/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Morley&submit=Go&c=GB|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2013|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

|new = yes

| module = {{infobox person

| embed = yes

| father =

| mother =

| spouse =

| education =

| alma_mater =

| relatives = Chris Morley (brother)

}}

Adrian Paul Morley (born 10 May 1977) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a {{rlp|pr}} or {{rlp|sr}} forward. With a reputation as a tough, uncompromising competitor, Morley was the first British player to become a Grand Final winner in both the National Rugby League and Super League.

Morley's professional career began with Leeds Rhinos in 1995, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 1999. He then played six seasons with Australian club Sydney Roosters, winning the 2002 NRL Premiership and 2003 World Club Challenge, returning to England for a brief spell with Bradford Bulls, where he won the Super League Grand Final in 2005. In 2007, he signed for Warrington Wolves, winning three more Challenge Cups, before finishing his career with his hometown club, the Salford Red Devils, where he retired in 2015.

At international level, Morley made his debut in 1996, and went on to represent Great Britain in the 1996 Lions tour, and England at the Rugby League World Cup in 2000 and 2008. He earned over 50 caps during his career (30 for Great Britain and 23 for England), and was awarded a golden cap in recognition of this feat. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Club career

=Leeds=

Born in Salford, Morley played junior rugby league for Eccles before signing for Leeds.{{cite web |title=Trophies, training and troubles - Adrian Morley's Leeds Rhinos memories and one regret |url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/adrian-morley-leeds-rhinos-memories-20648867 |website=Leeds Live |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=22 May 2021}} He made his first team debut for Leeds in April 1995 in a 44–19 win against Hull.{{cite web |title=Leeds Rhinos Nostalgia: Big-hitting Adrian Morley had a career to remember |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos-nostalgia-big-hitting-adrian-morley-had-a-career-to-remember-3229945 |website=Yorkshire Evening Post |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=10 May 2021}} He played for Leeds between 1995 and 2000. Morley played for Leeds as a {{rlp|sr}} in their 1998 Super League Grand Final loss to Wigan. He won the Challenge Cup with Leeds in 1999 when they defeated London Broncos 52–16 at Wembley.

=Sydney=

In July 2000, Morley agreed to join Australian side Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League at the end of the season, who were being coached by former Leeds boss Graham Murray.{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Andy|title=Big Pommie braced for the welcome down under|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/story/0,3604,348896,00.html|work=The Guardian |access-date=18 February 2014|date=31 July 2000}}

In 2002, he helped the Roosters win their first title for 27 years, playing in the 2002 NRL Grand Final victory against New Zealand Warriors.{{cite web |title=Morley's big hit has Roosters crowing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/oct/07/rugbyleague |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=7 October 2002}}

In 2004, he became the first English player to appear in three Australian Grand Finals.{{cite web |title=Historic third grand final for Rooster Morley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/02/rugbyleague.andywilson |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=2 October 2004}}

In 2005, he briefly returned to England, signing a short-term deal with Bradford Bulls,{{cite web |title=Morley to finish season in England if Roosters miss finals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-09-02/morley-to-finish-season-in-england-if-roosters/2094234 |website=ABC News |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=1 September 2005}} and helping them defeat his former club Leeds Rhinos in the 2005 Super League Grand Final.{{cite web |title=Peacock's pain soothed by Bulls triumph |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/oct/17/rugbyleague.bradfordbulls |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=17 October 2005}}

In July 2006, he played his final game for the Roosters against Canterbury Bulldogs, receiving a seven-match ban for kneeing Corey Hughes, which meant he could not play for the club again for the rest of the season.{{cite web |title=League: Morley out of NRL |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/league-morley-out-of-nrl/367ZY2JBS6S2PYLHMSQOQSFDB4/ |website=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=26 July 2006}}

=Warrington=

In June 2006, Morley turned down a contract extension with the Roosters, and signed a four-year deal with Warrington Wolves, beginning at the start of the 2007 season.{{cite web |title=Morley turns down Wigan for return to 'ambitious' Warrington |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/morley-turns-down-wigan-for-return-to-ambitious-warrington-6098265.html |website=The Independent |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=14 June 2006}} He was also appointed captain of Warrington.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} It was while playing for Warrington that he made his 400th competitive senior appearance.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Morley guided Warrington to Challenge Cup glory in 2009, beating Huddersfield in the final at Wembley. He was selected to play for England against France in the one-off test in 2010.{{cite news

|last = Hadfield

|first = Dave

|title = Widdop passes his first Test at a canter

|work = The Independent

|publisher = Independent Print Limited

|date = 13 June 2010

|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/widdop-passes-his-first-test-at--a-canter-1999087.html

|access-date = 8 July 2010

|location=London|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100615004122/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/widdop-passes-his-first-test-at--a-canter-1999087.html|archive-date= 15 June 2010|url-status= live}}

Morley captained Warrington in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8938067.stm|title=Leeds 6–30 Warrington|publisher=BBC|date=28 August 2010|access-date=22 November 2019|first=Ged|last=Scott}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/aug/28/leeds-rhinos-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-final |location=London |work=The Guardian |title=Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds |first=Andy |last=Wilson |date=28 August 2010 |access-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831105934/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/28/leeds-rhinos-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-final |archive-date=31 August 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}

In 2012, he played in the 2012 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/25/leeds-warrington-challenge-cup |title=Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final|date=25 August 2012|work=Guardian UK|access-date=20 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19362692|title=Leeds Rhinos 18–35 Warrington Wolves|date=25 August 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 November 2019}} and played in the 2012 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.{{cite news|title=Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19805055|access-date=20 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/oct/06/warrington-leeds-grand-final|title=Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington|publisher=Guardian|date=6 October 2012|access-date=20 November 2019}}

At the start of the 2013 season, Morley suffered a torn bicep, which kept him out of action for about three months.{{cite web |title=Warrington Wolves captain Adrian Morley sidelined for two months through injury |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12209/8510141/warrington-wolves-captain-adrian-morley-sidelined-for-two-months-through-injury |website=Sky Sports |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=20 February 2013}} While returning to fitness, he played one game for Swinton Lions on dual registration, helping them defeat North Wales Crusaders in the Northern Rail Cup.{{cite web |title=Morley plays part in Swinton win |url=https://www.eurosport.com/rugby-league/morley-plays-part-in-swinton-win_sto3763769/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=19 May 2013}} At the end of the season, he played his final game for Warrington in the 2013 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.{{cite news|last=Newsum|first=Matt|title=Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors beat Warrington|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24384930|access-date=13 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=5 October 2013}}{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/oct/05/warrington-wigan-super-league-grand-final|title= Wigan see off Warrington in X-rated Grand Final to complete double|date=5 October 2013|work=Guardian |access-date=13 November 2019}}

=Salford=

Morley signed a one-year deal for his hometown club Salford for the 2014 season.{{cite web |title=Adrian Morley: Salford City Reds to sign Warrington & England legend |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/23079959 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=27 June 2013}} The 36-year-old forward was appointed the Salford Red Devils' captain at the start of the 2014 season.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

On 10 September 2015, Morley announced that he would retire from playing rugby league at the end of the 2015 season.{{cite news

|title = MORLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

|publisher = superleague.co.uk

|date = 2015-09-10

|url = http://superleague.co.uk/article/33051/morley-announces-retirement

|access-date = 2015-09-11}}

On 14 October 2015, it was announced that Morley would play one more rugby league match. In his last match, he represented his début club, Leeds, in a one-off exhibition game against New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/34528190|title=Adrian Morley to end career with Leeds v New Zealand game|publisher=bbc.com|date=14 October 2015|access-date=1 January 2016}}

International career

=Great Britain=

Morley made his international début for Great Britain in 1996.

In the 1997 post-season, Morley was selected to play for Great Britain in all three matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.

He was selected to play against Australia in the 2003 Ashes Series. In the first Test, he was sent off 12 seconds into the game after a high tackle on Robbie Kearns.{{cite web |title=Throwback Thursday: When Adrian Morley was sent off after 12 seconds |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/throwback-thursday-when-adrian-morley-was-sent-off-after-12-seconds |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=12 December 2019}} He avoided a suspension and played in the remaining two Tests.{{cite web |title=Boost for Great Britain as Morley escapes ban |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/boost-for-great-britain-as-morley-escapes-ban-77778.html |website=The Independent |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=11 November 2003}}

In 2007, he captained Great Britain for their Test against France.{{cite web |title=Morley to captain Great Britain |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6737633.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=9 June 2007}}

=England=

He was offered a chance to play alongside his brother Chris Morley, who played for Wales, but chose to commit to England in the 2000 World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/2268271.stm|first=David|last=Walmsley|title=Morley denies Wales link|publisher=news.bbc.co.uk|date=19 September 2002|access-date=1 January 2003}}

Morley was named in the 24-man England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and also played against Wales at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster prior to England's departure.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/article.php?id=11890 |title=Myler gets England call |publisher=England Rugby League |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007232803/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/article.php?id=11890 |archive-date=7 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up|publisher=BBC|date=7 October 2008|access-date=7 October 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081009081658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|archive-date= 9 October 2008|url-status= live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642490.stm|title=Gleeson to lead new-look England|publisher=BBC|date=9 October 2008|access-date=10 October 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004195348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642490.stm|archive-date= 4 October 2008|url-status= live}} In Group A's first match against Papua New Guinea he played from the interchange bench in England's victory.

Morley was to lead England in the 2010 Four Nations but was ruled out after injuring himself in a warm up match against the New Zealand Māori rugby league team.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10681215&ref=rss|title=League: English captain to miss Four Nations|date=17 October 2010|work= The New Zealand Herald|access-date=15 September 2011}}

Morley played for England in the 2011 Four Nations. England made the tournament's final and in the final, Morley made his 50th international appearance.{{cite news

|title = Morley set for 50th cap

|publisher = Sky Sports

|date = 2011-11-17

|url = http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/284336/Morley-set-for-50th-cap

|access-date = 2015-08-03}}

Morley is one of a handful of players in the sport's history who have been capped over 50 times at international level, and was awarded a 'golden cap' in recognition of this achievement.{{cite web |title=RLIF to award 'golden caps' to players with over 50 international appearances tonight |url=https://www.totalrl.com/rlif-to-award-golden-caps-to-players-with-over-50-international-appearances-tonight/ |website=Total Rugby League |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=7 November 2018}}

Playing style

Morley played as either a {{rlp|pr}} or {{rlp|sr}} forward, and was renowned for his hard-hitting style,{{cite web |title=Rugby League: Fiery Morley aims to keep cool |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-league-fiery-morley-aims-to-keep-cool/BOGVDTGGPLVLY2URNFRSTRUAT4/ |website=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=5 October 2002}} establishing a reputation as an "enforcer".{{cite news |title=Meet Adrian Morley the GB 'Enforcer' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/rugby_league/features/newsid_3246000/3246261.stm |website=BBC Sport Academy |date=6 November 2003 |access-date=23 July 2023}} However, he was often criticised for his poor discipline, particularly during his time in the NRL with Sydney Roosters, where he was suspended six times within two years.{{cite web |title=Roosters cry foul after Morley is suspended for sixth time |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/australasia-travel/australia/roosters-cry-foul-after-morley-is-suspended-for-sixth-time-8djc5rc9wpg |website=The Times |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=20 July 2004}}

He is generally regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation,{{cite web |title=Adrian Morley backs Salford Red Devils and Chris Atkin to step up and deliver shock Grand Final spot |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/adrian-morley-salford-red-devils-25002244 |website=Yorkshire Live |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=13 September 2022}} and was named in the Rugby League World XIII in 2003.{{cite web |title=A complete history of the World XIII |url=https://www.totalrl.com/a-complete-history-of-the-world-xiii/ |website=Total Rugby League |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=20 March 2018}} In 2022, he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.{{cite web |title=Four sporting giants to be inducted into the men's RL Hall of Fame |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/60961/four-sporting-giants-to-be-inducted-into-the-mens-rl-hall-of-fame |website=Rugby Football League |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=21 September 2022}}

Post-playing career

After retiring as a player, he returned to Leeds Rhinos, where he coached the club's Academy team during the 2017 season. He left the club at the end of the season to pursue a career outside of rugby league.{{cite web |title=Adrian Morley to leave Leeds Rhinos for new career |url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/adrian-morley-leave-leeds-rhinos-new-career-9834/ |website=Serious About Rugby League |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=11 September 2017}}

In 2021, he became a trustee of the Salford Red Devils Foundation.{{cite web |title=Adrian Morley becomes Foundation trustee |url=https://salfordreddevils.net/adrian-morley-becomes-foundation-trustee/ |website=Salford Red Devils |access-date=23 July 2023 |date=20 January 2021}}

Personal life

In 2004, Morley was convicted for drink-driving.{{cite web |title=Morley likely to escape a ban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jan/19/rugbyleague.andywilson |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=19 January 2004}}

Morley's autobiography, "Moz", was released on 12 November 2012 and reprinted twice in the run up to Christmas 2012.

Morley's son, Leo, has played for the Salford Red Devils scholarship team.{{cite web |title=Son of ex-Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils star Adrian Morley makes debut for Super League scholarship side |url=https://www.totalrl.com/son-of-ex-leeds-rhinos-warrington-wolves-and-salford-red-devils-star-adrian-morley-makes-debut-for-super-league-scholarship-side/ |website=Total Rugby League |access-date=22 July 2023 |date=4 April 2023}}

References

External links

(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100706034725/http://www.warringtonwolves.org/8-adrian-morley-15 Profile at warringtonwolves.com]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20090717085443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2001/ashes/gb/morley.stm 2001 Ashes profile]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20060821050839/http://www.elitesports.com.au/new/showarticle.php?articleID=41 Article – Morley set for Footy Grand Slam]
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6737633.stm Morley to captain Great Britain]
[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/06/1078464696787.html Ryles can overcome injury, and I should know: Morley]
[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/s/20/20966_rl_morley_hoping_for_seventh_heaven.html Morley hoping for Seventh Heaven – article at manchestereveningnews.co.uk]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20081116234747/http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=74 Profile at leedsrugby]