Blake Austin

{{short description|GB, England & Portugal international rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Blake Austin

|fullname = Blake Robert Austin[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/Y9l40Q8ThiLBIm82IPA2YaGe660/appointments Companies House]

|image = Blake Austin City.jpg

|image_size = 290

|caption =

|position = {{rlp|SO|SH}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|2|1|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

|height = {{convert|1.87|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|weight = {{convert|97|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|club1 = Penrith Panthers

|year1start = 2011

|year1end = 13

|appearances1 = 15

|tries1 = 2

|goals1 = 8

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 24

|club2 = Wests Tigers

|year2start = 2014

|year2end =

|appearances2 = 19

|tries2 = 7

|goals2 = 3

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 34

|club3 = {{nowrap|Canberra Raiders}}

|year3start = 2015

|year3end = 18

|appearances3 = 88

|tries3 = 34

|goals3 = 0

|fieldgoals3 = 1

|points3 = 137

|club4 = {{nowrap|Warrington Wolves}}

|year4start = 2019

|year4end = 21

|appearances4 = 67

|tries4 = 33

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 6

|points4 = 138

|club5 = Leeds Rhinos

|year5start = 2022

|year5end = 23

|appearances5 = 41

|tries5 = 5

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 1

|points5 = 21

| club6 = {{nowrap|→ Castleford Tigers}}

| year6start = 2023{{small|(loan)}}

| year6end =

| appearances6 = 5

| tries6 = 0

| goals6 = 1

| fieldgoals6 = 1

| points6 = 3

|teamA = {{rlnt|Portugal}}

|yearAstart = 2007

|yearAend =

|appearancesA = 1

|triesA = 0

|goalsA = 2

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 4

|teamB = City Origin

|yearBstart = 2015

|yearBend =

|appearancesB = 1

|triesB = 3

|goalsB = 0

|fieldgoalsB = 0

|pointsB = 12

|teamC = {{nowrap|Great Britain}}

|yearCstart = 2019

|yearCend =

|appearancesC = 2

|triesC = 1

|goalsC = 0

|fieldgoalsC = 0

|pointsC = 4

|retired =

|source = {{Rugby league records |id=5280 |title=Blake Austin |access-date=26 September 2023}}{{cite web|title=Blake Austin|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/blake-austin/summary.html|publisher=Rugby League Project}}{{cite web|title=Stats Centre|url=http://www.portugueserugbyleague.com/statscentre.html|publisher=Portuguese Rugby League|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232543/http://www.portugueserugbyleague.com/statscentre.html|archive-date=1 April 2017|url-status=dead}}

|updated = 21 November 2023

}}

Blake Austin (born 1 February 1991) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|so}} for The Entrance Tigers in the Central Coast Division Rugby League in NSW, Australia.

Austin previously played for the Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers and the Wests Tigers in the NRL as well as the Warrington Wolves, Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers in Super League. He played for the City Origin team in 2015 and Portugal and Great Britain at international level. He has also represented England at 9s.

Early life

Austin was born in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, to parents Robert and Maree. He is of English descent through his grandmother.{{cite web|date=26 July 2016|title=Canberra Raiders' Blake Austin leaves door ajar for England jersey under Bennett|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/canberra-raiders-blake-austin-leaves-door-ajar-for-england-jersey-under-bennett-20160726-gqdrvh.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 October 2016}}

A Doonside Roos junior, Austin was also a baseballer and sprinter as a child. In 2001, he appeared on The Footy Show as the winner of the "league of their own" video contest for best junior rugby league try. He won a brand new Holden Jackaroo, which his parents sold in order to move out of a Doonside housing commission and into their own home in Mount Druitt.{{cite web|date=24 January 2016|title=Canberra Raiders star Blake Austin got his family out of housing commission as a nine-year-old|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/raiders/canberra-raiders-star-blake-austin-got-his-family-out-of-housing-commission-as-a-nineyearold/news-story/037d76fb1d60099a0033b080482d2753|work=Fox Sports|access-date=9 October 2016}} In 2009, Austin represented the Australian Schoolboys team while attending St Dominic's College, Penrith.{{cite web|last=Bosworth|first=Tony|date=23 September 2016|title=Canberra Raider and former Doonside player Blake Austin calls on youngsters to persevere|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/blacktown-advocate/canberra-raider-and-former-doonside-roos-player-blake-austin-calls-on-youngsters-to-persevere/news-story/f5660b61fdb7021441343cd908d312da|publisher=Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 October 2016}}{{cite web|title=Australian Schoolboys|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2130-0-266321-0&sID=26424|publisher=Sporting Pulse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926181704/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2130-0-266321-0&sID=26424|archive-date=26 September 2013}}

Playing career

=Penrith Panthers=

With the Penrith Panthers incapable of making the semi-finals in 2011, Austin made his NRL debut for the Penrith club in round 25 against the Canberra Raiders. He scored a try in his second game, against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in round 26. During the 2012 pre-season, Austin re-signed with the Penrith club on a two-year contract.{{cite news|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=4 March 2012|title= Panthers splash out $700,000 on rising star|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/panthers-splash-out-700000-on-rising-star-20120303-1u9mw.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=22 September 2013}}

File:Blake Austin.jpg in 2012]]

He played 13 games in 2012, scoring a try and kicking 8 goals from 9 attempts. In 2013, Austin played just one game for Penrith before suffering a foot injury.{{cite web|date=26 April 2013|title=Penrith Panthers lose play maker Blake Austin to foot injury for six weeks|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/penrith-panthers-lose-play-maker-blake-austin-to-foot-injury-for-six-weeks/story-fn2mcuj6-1226630145350|work=Fox Sports|access-date=22 September 2013}}

=Wests Tigers=

On 7 August 2013, Austin signed with the Wests Tigers on a two-year contract starting in 2014. Future coach Mick Potter described him as, "a player with plenty of potential. He can cover centre, half, five-eighth and lock and is also an excellent goal kicker."{{cite web|last=Greco|first=John|date=7 August 2013|title=Tigers snap up Austin, Paterson|url=http://www.sportal.com.au/league/news/tigers-snap-up-austin,-paterson-247089|publisher=Sportal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926164345/http://www.sportal.com.au/league/news/tigers-snap-up-austin%2C-paterson-247089|archive-date=26 September 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Austin began the 2014 season playing in the NSW Cup for the Tigers' feeder team, the Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers. He was said to be "dominating" the lower grade. He made his club debut for the Tigers in round 6, after Braith Anasta was suspended.{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Daniel|date=9 April 2014|title=For Wests Tigers Blake Austin training starts long before he gets to Concord work|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/for-wests-tigers-blake-austin-training-starts-long-before-he-gets-to-concord-20140409-zqsqg.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=21 April 2014}} The following week, Austin was a late inclusion on the bench after Liam Fulton withdrew with a shoulder injury. He continued to be chosen on the bench, until moving to five-eighth in July after Anasta suffered a career-ending bicep injury.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} He appeared in every game for the remainder of the year, scoring seven tries.

Commentator Peter Sterling named Austin as one of the bargain buys of the season, saying it was "obvious he’s a natural footballer with good skills and an ability to play what’s in front of him."{{cite web|last=Sterling|first=Peter|date=21 August 2014|title=Unknown and underestimated ... Sterlo picks his best bargain buys of the 2014 NRL season.|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/unknown-and-underestimated-sterlo-picks-his-best-bargain-buys-of-the-2014-nrl-season/story-fnlt03ir-1227031165431|work=Fox Sports|access-date=21 August 2014}}

File:Blake Austin 2014.jpg

=Canberra Raiders=

On 14 October 2014, Austin was released by the Wests Tigers to sign a three-year deal with the Canberra Raiders starting in 2015.{{cite web|title=Blake Austin Signs with the Raiders|date=13 October 2014|url=http://www.raiders.com.au/news/2014/10/14/blake_austin_signs_with_the_raiders.html|publisher=raiders.com.au}}{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Chris|date=14 October 2014|title=Blake Austin released from Wests Tigers to join Canberra Raiders on three-year deal|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/blake-austin-released-from-wests-tigers-to-join-canberra-raiders-on-threeyear-deal-20141014-115nom.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald}} Austin entered the Canberra side as a starting line-up five-eighth and was selected to play the first game of the season against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Austin set up and scored his first try with the club in the Raiders' round 3 loss to the St. George Illawarra Dragons.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} After several tries and a countless number of strong performances, Austin scored his first career hat-trick against Newcastle in Round 18, incredibly scoring all three tries within eleven minutes. On 28 September 2015, Austin was named as the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year. He finished the 2015 season playing a total of 23 matches, 16 line-breaks, 7 try-assists and 14 tries. In 2016, Austin played 19 games for Canberra as they finished second on the table at the end of the regular season. 2016 was also the first year that Austin had played finals football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2016/10/17/season-review-blake-austin/|title = Season Review: Blake Austin|date = 17 October 2016}} At the start of 2018, Canberra lost their opening 4 games of the season and as a result Austin was demoted to reserve grade by coach Ricky Stuart.{{Cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/03/27/12/34/benji-confident-of-taking-on-eels-in-nrl|title = Raiders drop the axe on fan favourite}}

On 24 June 2018, it was reported that Austin had rejected a contract extension with the club which was confirmed by Canberra's recruitment manager Peter Mulholland. Mulholland told the media "Blake had an offer on the table last year and he rejected that offer, and as in the game you've got to move on and unfortunately he didn't take the offer and we've moved on, basically, It's unfortunate, but that's the way it works with the salary cap, you cannot keep everybody". On 30 June 2018, Canberra led Brisbane 16-0 at halftime until a second half fight back from Brisbane made the scores 24-22. With the game on the line, Austin attempted a goal line drop out which went over the touchline on the full giving Brisbane a penalty goal shot right in front of the posts to win the match 26-22.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/raiders-have-moved-on-from-blake-austin|title = Raiders have 'moved on' from Blake Austin}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/02/josh-hodgson-cant-save-raiders-from-dud-rugby-league|title = Josh Hodgson can't save Raiders from dud rugby league|website = TheGuardian.com|date = July 2018}}

On 9 July, Austin signed a three-year deal to join English side the Warrington Wolves{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44772145|title = Wire sign Canberra stand-off Austin|work = BBC Sport}}

On 12 August 2018, Canberra were trailing the Wests Tigers 22-20 with three minutes left in the game. Austin attempted to tackle Wests winger David Nofoaluma but was penalized by the referee after Austin lifted Nofoaluma in a dangerous position which was similar to a "WWE-style powerbomb". The costly penalty gave Wests a much needed reprieve and ended up holding on for the victory.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/canberra-raiders-vs-wests-tigers-blake-austin-penalised-for-wwe-style-tackle-on-david-nofoaluma/mfiko5sfkhqj1oab06g3axupp |title=Canberra Raiders Blake Austin penalised for WWE-style powerbomb tackle on Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma | Sporting News |access-date=7 September 2018 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907184403/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/canberra-raiders-vs-wests-tigers-blake-austin-penalised-for-wwe-style-tackle-on-david-nofoaluma/mfiko5sfkhqj1oab06g3axupp |url-status=dead }}

=Warrington Wolves=

Austin made his competitive debut for Warrington in the seasons opening 26-6 win against Leeds. Scoring his first try in the second half. Austin was part of the Warrington side which finished 4th during the Super League XXIV season but were eliminated in the first week of the finals series by Castleford 14-12.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/49728255/|title=Super League elimination final: Castleford hang on for 14-12 win over Warrington|work=BBC Sport }}

On 4 August 2021, Austin signed a one-year deal to join Leeds for the 2022 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58080271/|title=Leeds Rhinos to sign Warrington Wolves playmaker from 2022 season|work=BBC Sport }}

=Leeds Rhinos=

In round 2 of the 2022 Super League season, Austin made his club debut for Leeds in their 34-12 loss against Wigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.therhinos.co.uk/report/wigan-warriors-34-leeds-rhinos-12/|title=Leeds 12 Wigan 34 Match Report|website=www.therhinos.co.uk|date=18 February 2022 }}

On 24 September 2022, Austin played for Leeds in their 24-12 loss to St Helens RFC in the 2022 Super League Grand Final.{{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}}

In round 3 of the 2023 Super League season, Austin kicked a drop goal with seconds remaining as Leeds won a controversial match over St Helens 25-24.{{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}}

=Castleford Tigers (loan)=

On 3 August 2023, it was reported that Austin had joined Yorkshire rivals the Castleford Tigers on loan for the remainder of the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/66395737.amp|title=Blake Austin: Castleford Tigers loan half-back from Leeds Rhinos for rest of 2023|website=BBC Sport|date=3 Aug 2023}}

=The Entrance Tigers=

On 21 November 2023, Austin signed a contract to join Central Coast team The Entrance Tigers starting in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/blake-austin-joins-new-club-upon-return-to-australia-after-five-years-in-england/|title=Blake Austin joins new club upon return to Australia after five years in England|website=www.loverugbyleague.com}}

Representative career

At age 16, Austin was invited to play for Portugal in their match against Malta on 6 October 2007, kicking two goals in Portugal's losing effort.{{cite web|title=Portugal 12 v Malta 58|url=http://www.portugueserugbyleague.com/Game%20Details/portugal12vmalta.html|publisher=Portuguese Rugby League|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719121640/http://www.portugueserugbyleague.com/Game%20Details/portugal12vmalta.html|archive-date=19 July 2008}} In October 2009, Austin represented Portugal in the Australian Mediterranean (Aus-Med) Shield at Marconi Stadium in Sydney, a tournament made up completely of Australian residents, such as Cameron Ciraldo, John Skandalis and Jarrod Sammut.{{cite web|date=6 October 2009|title=Aus-Med Shield Tournament|url=http://www.nswrl.com.au/nswcup/article.php?id=818|publisher=NSWRL.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009024608/http://www.nswrl.com.au/nswcup/article.php?id=818|archive-date=9 October 2009}} Austin represented Portugal at the 2012 Cabramatta International Nines. Austin has said, however, that he does not have Portuguese ancestry.{{cite web|last=Kerr|first=Jack|date=2 July 2016|title=Back in the game: Blake Austin, 25, rugby league player|url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/sport/nrl/2016/07/02/back-the-game-blake-austin-25-rugby-league-player/14673816003425|publisher=The Saturday Paper|access-date=9 October 2016}} The Sydney Morning Herald joked that he qualified "because he had eaten a Portuguese chicken burger". Austin later explained Portugal national team coach Mal Speers invited him to play because he knew Austin's father. Austin attended because he was young and didn't feel like turning down any invitations to play rugby league and thought playing international league could be an interesting experience.{{cite web|date=7 February 2019|title=Expansionist Blog: Blake Austin explains how playing for Portugal came about|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/expansionist-blog-blake-austin-explains-how-playing-for-portugal-came-about/|publisher=LoveRugbyLeague.com|access-date=2 September 2019}}

Austin was selected to represent City Origin in 2015.

In July 2019, Austin was selected by Wayne Bennett for England's 27-man Elite Performance Squad.

He was selected in England 9s squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/sam-tomkins-eager-lift-inaugural-20595184|title=Sam Tomkins eager to lift inaugural World 9s title with England Down Under|publisher=Mirror|date=16 October 2019|access-date=29 October 2019}}

He was selected in squad for the 2019 Great Britain Lions tour of the Southern Hemisphere.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-league/2019/10/14/zak-hardaker-shock-inclusion-24-man-great-britain-squad-tour/|title=Zak Hardaker shock inclusion in 24-man Great Britain squad for tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea|publisher=Telegraph|date=14 October 2019|access-date=28 October 2019}}

Personal life

Having suffered a foot injury early in 2013, Austin volunteered to coach the under 16 Doonside Roos team, a group of boys dubbed "the uncoachables" due to their poor discipline. The team was defeated by the Colyton Mt Druitt Colts 26-16 in their Grand Final.{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Daniel|date=15 December 2013|title=Wests Tigers recruit Blake Austin taught life lesson as coach of troubled teens|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/wests-tigers-recruit-blake-austin-taught-life-lesson-as-coach-of-troubled-teens-20131214-2zdyl.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 October 2016}} Austin coached them again as under 17s in 2014.{{cite web|last=Molan|first=Erin|date=20 March 2014|title=Austin's power is helping wayward youth|url=http://www.nrl.com/austins-power-is-helping-wayward-youth/tabid/10874/newsid/76960/default.aspx|publisher=NRL.com|access-date=9 October 2016}}

Austin was highly praised by the media after he drove a disabled Raiders fan to the team's game on 3 July 2016.{{cite web|last=Glover|first=Ben|date=3 July 2016|title=Blake Austin praised for incredible act of kindness hours before running out for Canberra Raiders|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/blake-austin-praised-for-incredible-act-of-kindness-hours-before-running-out-for-canberra-raiders/news-story/ef7bfa0ce159a79427cb4479a04ac8bf|work=Fox Sports|access-date=9 October 2016}}{{cite web|date=4 July 2016|title=Raiders Blake Austin Gives Fan a Ride To The Game|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2016/7/raiders-blake-austins-gives-young-raiders-fan-a-lift/|publisher=Triple M|access-date=9 October 2016}}

References

External links

[https://warringtonwolves.com/team/ Warrington Wolves profile]
[https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/453/blake-austin SL profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041407/https://www.raiders.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canberra-raiders/blake-austin/ Canberra Raiders profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160111002249/http://www.raiders.com.au/team/profiles/blake_austin.html Raiders profile]
[http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/2/playerid/1356/seasonid/44/default.aspx NRL profile]

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian people of English descent

Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England

Category:Australian rugby league players

Category:Canberra Raiders players

Category:Castleford Tigers players

Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players

Category:Leeds Rhinos players

Category:Mount Pritchard Mounties players

Category:New South Wales City Origin rugby league team players

Category:Penrith Panthers players